ROLE OF ALUMINA TO SILICA RATIO ON SUITABILITY OF IRON ORE TO SERVE AS RAW MATERIAL FOR IRON PRODUCTION
Introduction:
Iron ore is the primary source of iron used in steel production, and its quality directly impacts the efficiency and economics of the iron-making process. When this ratio deviates from the desired range of 1:1 to 1:1.5, it can lead to a cascade of operational challenges in the metallurgical industry. The alumina to silica ratio influences various aspects of iron production.
India is one of the primitive manufacturers and users of iron and steel in the world. There is extensive resources of iron ore in India. But all iron ores are not suitable to use directly in metallurgical industries without prior beneficiation. Altogether, the quality of iron ore is considered based on the iron content.
Iron Testing
In iron ores, iron content is lowered according to the amount of gangue (SiO2, Al2O3) and contaminations present. If silica content in the raw material is high, more flux is added in the furnace. This causes higher slag volume and lower productivity. Besides, presence of high alumina significantly affects blast furnace productivity. High alumina slag is highly viscous. Larger quantity of flux addition is required to make it fluid. Due to larger slag volumes, coke consumption increases. To increase better productivity and slag flowability, it is desirable to have the alumina-silica ratio between 1:1 to 1:1.5 in the blast furnace feed.
Therefore, improper alumina to silica ratio causes series of operational problem during sintering and subsequently smelting in the blast furnace.
Solutions with Qualitek Lab:
Qualitek Labs, Bhubaneswar has emerged as a key player in providing solutions to the metallurgical industry. Their state-of-the-art laboratory facility is equipped to conduct comprehensive testing of minerals and ores.