Future iron ore pelletizing processes

Research Project, 2016 – 2020

A recent analysis of the iron ore pelletizing processes at LKAB shows that there is a significant potential to improve the energy efficiency and to reduce CO2 emissions by means of new process solutions. In todays’ pelletizing processes coal, oil and natural gas is used as fuels in order to obtain the temperature conditions required for a high product throughput and product quality. At the same time, a significant portion of the required energy is added to the process by means of oxidation of the iron ore. In fact, in theory this energy content should suffice to provide the total energy requirement of the process. This results in a substantial energy surplus in the process, i.e. as it is designed in state-of-the-art units today. The temperature condition in the pellet bed is however critical in order to maintain the required product quality and productivity, i.e. these bed conditions must be met when new process conditions are implemented. The suggested project in this application aims