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Abstract
COREX process for pig iron production is a commercially proven process, and is currently considered as the main competent to blast furnace for pig iron production. COREX process consists of two reactors; the reduction shaft, and the melter-gasifier. The process involves multi-phase, multi-component, having about five raw materials, and three main products. Varying one process input can lead to operation instability and/or result in off -spec products. Macroscopic modeling is always an attractive approach for processes with such complex features. In the present paper a mathematical macroscopic process model has been developed and the Indian Jindal plant was taken as case study. The macroscopic model was efficient tool to determine the window of possible operation scenarios while keeping all process constraints fulfilled. The main raw material constraints are coke amount, and percentage of iron ore fines. In addition to the pig iron quality, the main products constraints are amount and compositions of reduction gases, export gas composition, and the slags quality. A parametric study has been performed focusing on the freeboard zone in the melter gasifier. The effect of iron ore fines on the free boards temperature and export gas composition has been analyzed. The most flexible operation scenarios have been determined and summarized in an operation chart. This chart can be used for process control as a guide as it combines the controlling process variables. According to the market status, four main operation modes for COREX process have been defined; maximization of iron ore fines, minimization of fuel amount, minimization of Iron bearing materials amount, and minimization of oxygen feed amount. Including the current raw material prices, and to achieve minimum production cost, the minimum possible oxygen feed rate is economically the optimum mode of operation.
SCANMET IV 4th International Conference on Process Development in Iron and Steelmaking, 10-13 June 2012, Lule, Sweden
Introduction
Together with the problem of the high capital cost needed, the blast furnace has other drawbacks including the dependence on scarce coking coal as a reductant, and the low flexibility towards utilizing iron wastes as a substitute to the fresh iron ores [1]. Moreover, the increased environmental pressures nowadays cause a lot of problems to any investor thinking to use the blast furnace route for steel production [2]. Among the newly developed smelting reduction processes, COREX process is nearly the only competent to the blast furnace in the field of pig iron production. In COREX process, all the reactions take place in two reactors; namely, the reduction shaft (RS) and melter-gasifier (MG). Currently, 4 plants are utilizing COREX process for pig iron production. These plants are Saldanha Steel Works in South Africa (0.8 mtpa), Jindal South West Steel in India (2 * 0.8 mtpa), Posco in Korea (0.8 mtpa), and Baosteel in China (1.2 mtpa). COREX produces a high quality pig iron using non-coking coal and pure oxygen in an environmental-friendly process. COREX process eliminates the need to coking and sintering plants conventionally used in the blast furnace route. The process is viable at lower production capacities, and this copes with the gradual world shift from the integrated steel plants to smaller mini-mills. Moreover, COREX is more flexible to variations in compositions of raw materials, and it is insensitive to the alkali contents of the raw materials [1]. Because of having a multi-component multi-phase system, previous researches focus on performing macroscopic analysis to reach better understanding of COREX process, and assess the effect of different process parameters. Kumar et al. [3] have studied the effect of the cold crushing strength (CCS) of the burden on the performance of the reduction shaft. In addition, they studied the effect of coal size on the performance of the melter gasifier, and they developed a regression analysis using multiple variables to get an equation for the fuel rate. The addition of coke to the melter gasifier was also a subject of many researches [4-6]. In another important research [7] Kumar et al. have built a macroscopic model to predict the changes taking place on altering any of the input variables using complex mass and energy balance equations. In the present paper a mathematical macroscopic process model has been developed and t he Indian Jindal plant has been taken as a case study. The macroscopic model was built to determine the window of possible operation scenarios while keeping all process constraints fulfilled. The most flexible operation scenarios have been determined and summarized in an operation chart. This chart can be used for process control as a guide as it combines the controlling process variables.
phase and exits from the shaft at around 250 oC. The solid product is termed as direct reduced iron (DRI) and it is transported from the RS into the MG [5], [7], [8]. MG Process Description In addition to the hot DRI from the RS, non-coking coal, iron ore fines, flux fines and some coke are continuously charged into the MG from their charging bins. Oxygen plays a vital role in COREX process for generation of heat and reduction gases. It is injected through the tuyeres, where it gasifies the coal char generating CO. The hot gases ascend upward through the char bed [5], [7], [8]. The sensible heat of the gases is transferred to the char bed, which is utilized for melting iron and slag and other metallurgical reactions. The temperature of the freeboard zone (shown in figure 2) is maintained between 1000 oC to 1100oC, and this assures cracking of all the volatiles released from coal. The gas generated inside the MG contains fine dust particles, which are separated in hot gas cyclones. The dust collected in the cyclones is recycled back to the MG through the dust burners, where the dust is combusted with secondary oxygen. The gas from the MG is cooled to the reduction as temperature (About 850oC) by adding cooling gas as shown in figure 1. Most of the combined gas is fed to the RS, while the excess gas is used to control the plant pressure [5], [7], [8].
Figure 2 Zones in MG
instability, and can also result in off-spec products. Each of the 2 reactors involved (RS and MG) has one of its feeds emerging from the other reactor. Consequently, a macroscopic model based upon simultaneous solution of the material and energy balances on the 2 reactors has been developed. A degree of freedom analysis has been applied in order to determine the feasibility of solution and the required information. The present work will use the data of Jindal Vijayanagar Steel Limited (JVSL) in India as a case study. Consequently, all the input data will be originated from the published information about this plant. Macroscopic Balance on MG In the MG there are 6 raw materials (DRI, coal and coke, iron ore fines, flux fines, primary and secondary oxygen) and 3 products (hot metal HM , slag, and gases). The flux fines comprise limestone, dolomite, and LD slag. From the operating experiences in Jindal plant, Kumar et al. [9] previously published the proximate analysis and ash compositions of the coal and coke, the compositions and amounts of flux fines, composition of iron ore, and composition of the hot metal product. Solomon et al. [10] published a famous research determining the compositions of the different functional groups for various coal types. The latter paper has been used in this model to determine the compositions of different volatiles in coal and coke. In their microscopic model for the MG, Pal and Lahiri [11] used a ratio of 0.175 between the primary and secondary oxygen, and this ratio has been used in this work. The data required to perform energy balance on the MG are simply the heats of reactions, temperatures and latent heats. The temperatures of all the fresh inputs are about 25 oC [7], and the tapping temperature of HM and slag is about 1470oC [11]. For the complex pyrolysis phenomenon, Strezov et al. [12] experimentally determined the heat of pyrolysis at its different stages for more than one coal type. The research finding has been used in this macroscopic model. In addition, the final melting temperature and latent heat of melting of slag has been got from the work of Matousek [13]. The main reactions taking place in the MG are [11], [14]: C + 0.5 O2 C + CO2 C + H2O CO + Fe2O3 H2 + Fe2O3 CO + FeO H2 + FeO CaCO3 CaCO3.MgCO3 2 CO (MnO) + [C] (SiO2) + 2 [C] (P2O5) + 5 [C] 2 (MnO) + [Si] (CaO) + [S] + [C] CO 2 CO CO + H2 CO2 + 2 FeO H2O + 2 FeO CO2 + Fe H2O + Fe CaO + CO2 CaO + MgO + 2 CO 2 C + CO2 [Mn] + CO [Si] + 2 CO 2[P] + 5 CO (SiO2) + 2[Mn] (CaS) + CO (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15)
SCANMET IV 4th International Conference on Process Development in Iron and Steelmaking, 10-13 June 2012, Lule, Sweden
C (dust) + 2 H2
(16)
In the RS, there are 3 raw materials (Iron ore, flux and reduction gases) and 2 products which are DRI and gases. The same technique applied in the MG is repeated here. The main reactions taking place in the RS are reactions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 shown above. Process Constraints In addition to the well-defined givens stated above, Figure 3 and Figure 4 show another type of input data which are the raw materials constraints and products constraints respectively.
Figure 4 Products constraints for the process SCANMET IV 4th International Conference on Process Development in Iron and Steelmaking, 10-13 June 2012, Lule, Sweden
Because of the system complexity and the difficulty of assuring constant compositions of the raw materials and products, it is normal to have some data in the form of a range of feasible values. These data could be regarded as constraints that should be fulfilled to assure true solution. From a Degree of Freedom perspective, there will be infinite number of solutions for the combined MG and RS balance; however only one solution will be the optimum.
% Ore Fines
Figure 5 Effect of iron ore fines on the domes temperature and oxygen consumption As shown in Figure 6, as percentage of ore fines increases, the composition of CO 2 in the export gas increases, at nearly constant degree of metallization in RS. This is attributed to the increased amount of CO converted to CO 2 as a result of the iron fines reduction in the MG's free board. It is to be noted that high composition of CO 2 in the export gas lowers its SCANMET IV 4th International Conference on Process Development in Iron and Steelmaking, 10-13 June 2012, Lule, Sweden
calorific value, and consequently affects the performance of the dependent facilities. Moreover, and because of having lower iron percent than the iron ore pellets, as the amount of iron ore fines increase, the total amount of iron bearing materials increase accordingly. Thus, this simplified parametric study has clarified that the ore fines can be use d as a temperature control parameter for the free board where excessive temperatures can be prevented. In addition, the addition of ore fines should take into consideration the composition of export gas produced, and its effect on the subsequent applicatio ns. Moreover, the addition of ore fines should take into consideration the dome's temperature, and its effect of the cracking of volatiles, and consequently the environmental impacts.
1530 Iron Bearing Materials in kg/THM 1520 1510 1500 1490 1480 1470 1460 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 % Ore Fines 3 3.5 4 4.5 Iron Bearing Materials in kg/THM % CO2 out of RS 0.375 % CO2 out of RS 0.37 0.365 0.36 0.355 0.35 0.345
Figure 6 Effect of iron ore fines on the composition of export gas and total amount of iron bearing materials
Figure 7 Most flexible operation scenarios developed by the macroscopic model SCANMET IV 4th International Conference on Process Development in Iron and Steelmaking, 10-13 June 2012, Lule, Sweden
Conclusions
COREX process is a multi-phase, multi-component system where varying one process input can lead to operation instability and/or result in off-spec products. To deal with such complex features, macroscopic modeling approach has been applied using Jindal plant data. The developed macroscopic model has proved that there is a wide range of operation reflecting the process flexibility. The most flexible operation scenarios can be determined and summarized in a chart to be used in the process control as a guide. The direct addition of ore fines inside the melter-gasifier can be used as a temperature control parameter for the free board so as to prevent excessive temperature increase; however, it should take into consideration the composition of export gas produced, and its effect on the subsequent applications, and in addition it should take into consideration the dome's temperature, and its effect on the cracking of volatiles, and achieving the environmental constraints. According to the market status, there are four main operation modes for COREX process, where the minimization of oxygen feed amount was found to be the SCANMET IV 4th International Conference on Process Development in Iron and Steelmaking, 10-13 June 2012, Lule, Sweden
optimum mode of operation to achieve minimum production cost according to the current raw material prices.
References
1. A. Chatterjee, B. Pandey. Metallics for Steelmaking: Production and Use: Allied Publishers, 2001. 2. Developments in Ironmaking opportunities for power generation. Conference, 1999 Gasification Technologies. San Francisco, California, 1999. 3. Raw Materials for COREX and their Influence on Furnace Performance. P. P. Kumar, S.C. Barman; B.M. Reddy; V.R. Sekhar: Ironmaking & Steelmaking, 2009, Vol. 36. 4. Paper 20. J. K. Tandon, M. K. Mitra, R. Singh and D. Gupta. Beijing, China : Proc. Asia Steel Int. Conf., 2000. 5. Factors Affecting Fuel rate in COREX process. P. P. Kumar, D. Gupta, T. K. Naha and S. S. Gupta: Ironmaking & Steelmaking, 2006, Vol. 33. 6. Optimisaton of COREX Process. P. S. Assis, L. Guo, J. Fang, T. R. Mankhand, and C. F. C. de Assis: Ironmaking & Steelmaking, 2008, Vol. 35. 7. Modelling of COREX process for Optimisation of Operational Parameters. P. P. Kumar, L. M. Garg, and S. S. Gupta: Ironmaking & Steelmaking, 2006, Vol. 33. 8. COREX Process - One of the dynamic routes for gel making with special reference to the success of JVSL. Gupta, S.K. Kolkata : Joint Plant Committee (JPC), 2005. 9. Operating Experiences with COREX and Blast Furnace at JSW Steel Ltd. P. Prachethan Kumar, P.K. Gupta, and M. Ranjan: Ironmaking & Steelmaking, 2008, Vol. 35. 10. Coal Pyrolysis: Experiments, kinetic rates and mechanisms. P. R. SOLOMON, M.A. SERIO and E.M. SUUBERG. Great Britain : Prog. Energy Combusy., 1992, Vol. 18. 11. Mathematical Model of COREX Melter Gasifier: Part I. Steady-State Model. S.Pal and A.K.Lahiri: METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS B, 2003, Vol. 34. 12. Experimental and modelling of the thermal regions of activity during pyrolysis of bituminous coals. V. Strezov, J.A. Lucas, L. Strezov: Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2004, Vol. 71. 13. The thermodynamic properties of slag. Matousek, J. W: JOM Journal of the Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society, 2008, Vol. 60. 14. Retrospect on Technology Innovations in ferrous Pyrometallurgy. Turkdogan, E.T: Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly, 2001, Vol. 40.
SCANMET IV 4th International Conference on Process Development in Iron and Steelmaking, 10-13 June 2012, Lule, Sweden