Title

COLD AGGLOMERATING TECHNOLOGY INTERBLOCKS

COLD AGGLOMERATING TECHNOLOGY INTERBLOCKS

Authorship

PAIXÃO, JOSÉ MÁRCIO MATTA MACHADO; BONNEMASOU, SINCLAIR

PAIXÃO, JOSÉ MÁRCIO MATTA MACHADO

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BONNEMASOU, SINCLAIR

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357x-34Red-781-790

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Abstract

This paper provides basic information on Interferro’s Cold Agglomerating Technology, applied to ore fines, reductant fines and solid residues, generated by mining and metallurgical industries. Most of such fines, commonly disposed, are metal and carbon bearing, with substantial value to the iron and steel making processes. Initially, a computer program is fed with the chemical analysis of the fines and with the required metallurgical characteristic of the agglomerates. A technical report shows the possible combinations of binders, additives and fines, for the best handling and recovery ratios. Then, agglomerates, named INTERBLOCKS, are produced and submitted to standardized metallurgical tests at Interferro Laboratories. At the plant, a detailed quality control procedure checks the fines, the mixes and the INTERBLOCKS on all critical items until delivery. Supervisors also follow the performance of the INTERBLOCKS from final handling through its use in blast furnaces, electric arc furnaces, converters and Cubilot. After more than 10 years of laboratory research and pilot plant operation, Interferro Industrial is operating, since March 2003, a full size unit at Sete Lagoas in Minas Gerais State. This unit has been continuously producing 2,000 tons of INTERBLOCKS from a mix of iron ore fines, charcoal fines, pet-coke fines, flue dust, and blast furnace sludge that are recycled in a blast furnace. Additionally, 500 tons of INTERBLOCKS from FeSi fines are produced every month and used during the production of foundry grade pig iron. In the last 14 months, more than 100 sorts of fines and residues were also converted into 15 different kinds of INTERBLOCKS for testing purposes, following the request of mining, iron and steel mills, interested in the use of this technology. As a result of the efficient performance of the INTERBLOCKS, new plants are scheduled to be in operation as from the fourth quarter of 2004.

This paper provides basic information on Interferro’s Cold Agglomerating Technology, applied to ore fines, reductant fines and solid residues, generated by mining and metallurgical industries. Most of such fines, commonly disposed, are metal and carbon bearing, with substantial value to the iron and steel making processes. Initially, a computer program is fed with the chemical analysis of the fines and with the required metallurgical characteristic of the agglomerates. A technical report shows the possible combinations of binders, additives and fines, for the best handling and recovery ratios. Then, agglomerates, named INTERBLOCKS, are produced and submitted to standardized metallurgical tests at Interferro Laboratories. At the plant, a detailed quality control procedure checks the fines, the mixes and the INTERBLOCKS on all critical items until delivery. Supervisors also follow the performance of the INTERBLOCKS from final handling through its use in blast furnaces, electric arc furnaces, converters and Cubilot. After more than 10 years of laboratory research and pilot plant operation, Interferro Industrial is operating, since March 2003, a full size unit at Sete Lagoas in Minas Gerais State. This unit has been continuously producing 2,000 tons of INTERBLOCKS from a mix of iron ore fines, charcoal fines, pet-coke fines, flue dust, and blast furnace sludge that are recycled in a blast furnace. Additionally, 500 tons of INTERBLOCKS from FeSi fines are produced every month and used during the production of foundry grade pig iron. In the last 14 months, more than 100 sorts of fines and residues were also converted into 15 different kinds of INTERBLOCKS for testing purposes, following the request of mining, iron and steel mills, interested in the use of this technology. As a result of the efficient performance of the INTERBLOCKS, new plants are scheduled to be in operation as from the fourth quarter of 2004.

Keywords

agglomeration, residues, recycling, interblocks, ironmaking

agglomeration, residues, recycling, interblocks, ironmaking