8th International Congress on Science and Technology of Ironmaking - ICSTI 2018

Advanced Softening and Melting (ASAM) experiments were performed with mixed sinter-pellet burdens of contrasting compositions, showing large differences in vertical contraction and pressure-drop curves (vs T, time). To understand the mechanisms behind these differences, experiments were interrupted at key stages of the simulated BF trajectory for detailed petrological investigation. Combining multi-scale structural and chemical (micro-)analysis with thermodynamic calculations in Factsage helps explain the contrasting ASAM results in terms of chemical interaction between sinter and pellets within the ferrous layer, and the processes of metal-slag-solid oxide segregation at the ferrous layer’s margins adjacent the coke layer and graphite crucible.