A Random Pore Model Approach Towards Hematite to Iron Reduction by Carbon Monoxide: A Computational and Experimental Study

Abstract

In this work, the random pore model (RPM) is utilized for the kinetic study of hematite reduction to Iron with CO. This can significantly contribute to the more effective design of reduction reactors in Iron production plants. Indeed, the developed RPM in this work employs a real pore size distribution (PSD) of the solid reactant, resulting in more realistic and accurate kinetic parameters. Accordingly, the kinetic parameters were calculated via RPM using the data from the reduction experiments of a highly porous pure hematite pellet. Validation of such kinetic parameters by different pure hematite and industrial pellets with various porous structures demonstrated RPM as the most comprehensive non-catalytic gas–solid reactions model. The activation energy obtained for the mentioned reaction was calculated at 25.5 kJ/mol. In addition, oxygen ions showed a mean diffusion coefficient of 1.18 × 10⁻¹⁶ m²/s for the industrial pellets through the Iron product layer. Furthermore, the importance of adjusting the CO–CO₂ ratio on the conversion in the reduction reactor was discussed. The results of this work could help reduce the amount of required CO and CO₂ product during the reduction of hematite to Iron.

Graphical Abstract