Pelletizing iron ore by using low- and intermediate-Btu gas from coal. [8 refs]

Dwindling supplies and rising prices of natural gas and No. 2 fuel oil have led to a renewed look at alternate fuels. The energy-intensive iron ore pelletizing industry in particular is looking toward direct use of coal, heavy fuel oil, and coal gasification as potential alternatives to ensure future fuel supply. One of the iron ore industry's alternatives is to gasify coal. Low- or intermediate-Btu gas thus produced could be used for pelletizing in shaft furnace, Grate kiln, and traveling grate systems without extensive structural or equipment modifications. The major cost would be gas production. The cost of modification, or retrofit, for existing pellet plants would be relatively insignificant. The most economic coal gasification scheme appears to be on-site gasification plants. The use of on-site rather than centrally located gasifiers appears attractive under either of two conditions; if the price of natural gas and/or fuel oil is greater than $3.00 to $3.60 per million Btu or if the availability of natural gas and fuel oil is not assured.