Study of the enrichment characteristics of sinter by alkali metal vapors

Abstract

The existence forms and distributions of potassium (K) and sodium (Na) in sinter were studied by simulating the actual situations of K and Na cycle and enrichment in the blast furnace (BF). The results show that the K and Na vapor reacted with the main phase of the sinter and formed two “enrichment layers” in periphery, then the sinter samples were analyzed by means of XRD and SEM. The analysis results indicate that the main phases in light “enrichment layer” are K and Na compounds (ferrite, silicates and aluminates), iron oxide (Fe2O3) and silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA); while the dark “enrichment layer” mainly exists the potassium and sodium oxides. In addition, the adsorption of the sinter on K and Na vapor is the mixed adsorption of chemical and physical, and the chemical adsorption is the main adsorption method.