Ore blending ratio optimisation for sintering based on iron ore properties and cost.

The iron ore blend for sintering depends to a great extent on ore properties. It is hard to determine the final sinter reducibility from the reducibility and ratio of single iron ores in a mixture. For production cost reduction, optimised blending ratios were designed according to ore prices and properties (microstructure, crystal water decomposition, assimilation ability, liquid phase fluidity), ensuring nearly identical chemical composition as the mixture used in actual sintering. Sinter pot tests were conducted to determine the optimum mix. The results indicate that properties of iron ores vary greatly, which should be considered for the design of ore blending ratio. The total content of the two Australian ores tested should not exceed 45%. The cost of sintering process could be further reduced together with an improvement of economic and technical indices, only by ratio adjustment of present ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]