Mathematical modeling and simulation of direct reduction of iron ore in a moving bed reactor by the single particle model

Abstract

In this work, a mathematical model is developed for simulating the behavior of a counter-current moving bed reactor, in which the reduction of porous iron ore pellets to sponge iron is simulated. Simultaneous mass and energy balances within both the solid particles and the reactor, will lead to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations. The iron ore reduction kinetics was modeled with a single particle model. The model was able to satisfactorily reproduce the data of Gilmore Steel Corporation (USA). Eventually, the effects of reducing gas parameters and pellet characteristics such as porosity on the reduction extent have been investigated.