PRODUCTION TRIALS WITH A FERROUS BURDEN OF 100-PERCENT PELLETS AT BLAST-FURNACE NO-6 IN IJMUIDEN

Stricter pollution control requirements in the Netherlands are demanding a significant reduction of emission of the sinter plant. Besides solutions relating to the sintering process, thought has also been given to (partially) stopping the production of sinter by purchasing pellets from abroad. This article describes the trials testing this variant conductet at blast furnace no. 6 with a ferrous burden of 100% pellets and a ferrous burden comprising 80% pellets and 20% sinter. To test for pollution control reasons whether it is possible to (partially) do without the production of sinter, long-term trials with a ferrous burden of 100% pellets and a ferrous burden comprising 80% pellets and 20% sinter were conducted at blast furnace no. 6. The 100% pellet burden consisted of dolomite pellets (CaO/SiO2 = 1.25) and Canadian pellets (CaO/SiO2 = 1.21). A sinter with a lower basicity was used for the 80% pellet and 20% sinter burden. The metallurgical properties of the new charge materials had been thoroughly tested prior to charging in the blast furnace. In comparison with the normal operating mode of 50% pellets and 50% sinter (practiced for years in IJmuiden) the results of the trial periods revealed that a blast furnace burden comprising 80% pellets and 20% sinter is a realistic option for the future. The trials with a 100% pellet burden, however, yielded disappointing results.