Characterization and reduction behavior of carbon-infiltrated goethite ore by impregnation of tar recovered from coke oven gas

Abstract

Abstract The Iron/Steel industry is currently facing serious problem due to excessively dependent on metallurgical coke, which is produced a large amount of CO2 emission and it was limited source in Indonesia. Coke-free iron-making is one of the efficient method to reduce the amount of cokes. Carbon-infiltrated iron ores were prepared by impregnation process from coaltar solution and goethite ore at 500 °C and 600 °C to promote direct reduction in iron making. These variables were systematically characterized by XRD and SEM/EDX. Pore distribution and BET surface area were determined by N2 adsorption-desorption measurement. The XRD signals attributed to Fe2O3 in the goethite ore were completely disappeared and replaced by signals attributed to Fe3O4 after impregnation process. Cross-sectional analyses of composite particles prepared using both temperatures showed that tar-derived carbonaceous materials have completely either impregnated or vapor infiltrated into the mesoporous in pyrolyzed goethite ore. Carbon-infiltrated goethite ore showed a higher reduction degree than conventional coke. It is confirmed that high reactivity of carbon-infiltrated iron ores is due to close contact between the goethite ore and carbon in its nanoporous interior facilitated the fast reduction.