Reoxidation and carburization study of reduced iron ore pellets

The influence of carburization on the reoxidation of commercial iron ore pe llets was studied. The pellets were H-2-reduced up to 88 % and then carburi zed in H-2/CO/CO2 gas mixture, for 0, 12, 18, 25 and 32 min, at 700, 800, 9 00 and 1000 degrees C. After the reduction-carburization process, the pelle ts were reoxidized at 250, 300, 350 and 400 degrees C. It was found out tha t the higher reduction temperature, the lower was the reoxidation degree. T his effect was stronger at the reoxidation temperatures of 250 and 300 degr ees C. The presence of iron carbide (Fe3C) was more notorious when the redu ction was carried out at 700 and 800 degrees C, and the carburization time was increased. Finally, it was observed that the higher the reoxidation tem perature, the higher was the reoxidation degree.