Carbothermal Reduction of Iron Ore Applying Microwave Energy

This paper presents the results of a study on carbothermal reduction of iron ore made under the microwave field in equipment specially developed for this purpose. The equipment allows the control of radiated and reflected microwave power, and therefore measures the microwave energy actually applied to the load in the reduction process. It also allows performing energy balances and determining the reaction rate with high levels of confidence by simultaneously measuring temperature and mass of the material upon reduction with high reproducibility. We used a microwave generator of 2.45?GHz with variable power up to 3000?W. Self-reducing pellets under argon atmosphere, containing iron ore and petroleum coke, with 3.5?g of mass and 15?mm of diameter were declined. We obtained the kinetic curves of reduction of iron ore and of energy consumption to the process in the maximum electric field, in the maximum magnetic field and at different values of power/mass. The data allow analyzing how the microwave energy was actually consumed in the reduction of ore.Maua Institute University Center of TechnologyMaua Institute University Center of TechnologyFAPESPFAPESP [02404-0]University of Sao PauloUniversity of Sao Paul

Prcess and furnace for pig iron production with microwaves

Apresentam-se o processo e o protótipo de forno para a produção de ferro gura por redução carbotérmic estimulada por micro-ondas de minério de ferro, na forma de pelotas auto-redutoras. O forno de redução com potência regulável de até 15KW de micro-ondas de 2,45 GHz foi especialmente projetado e construido para este processo. A estrutura do forno é em aço inoxidável e utiliza três geradores de micro-ondas focados para o centro de um aplicador cilíndrico.FAPESPVALECentro Universitário Instituto Mauá de Tecnologi