PRODUCTION OF IRON CARBIDE IN CH4-H-2 MIX TURES

In order to investigate the optimum operating conditions for the Fe3C production from iron ore particles in CH4-H-2 mixtures, experiments we re carried out in a fixed bed or a fluidized bed in a flow of 3.33 x 1 0(-5)m(3)/s of CH4-H-2 mixtures and temperature range from 650 to 950 degrees C. The present study has revealed the most appropriate conditi ons that ratio of CH4 to H-2 is 40/60 and temperature is 750 degrees C . Under these experimental conditions most of the reduced iron was con verted into Fe3C for about 30 minutes. But during reaction, a part of the Fe3C was decomposed into Fe and C, although Fe3C formed at 750 deg rees C was hard to decompose in comparison with those formed at other temperatures. During reaction, if unreduced FeO remained in iron ore i t may accelerate the decomposition of Fe,C. Therefore,porous iron ore is better to produce Fe3C than dense iron ore because of high reducibi lity oi porous iron ore.