Study for Evaluation and Optimization of Iron Ore Granulation with Consideration of Dynamics and Particle Conditions

Fundamental study was carried out to evaluate and optimize fine powder of iron ore granulation. In this study, the conditions of particle preparation and mechanism of granulation were discussed. As a conclusion of this study, for both fine and coarse iron ore sample, the optimum conditions for pellet growth, were defined by saturation degree value of approximately 0.9–1.0. Furthermore, it was found that wet pellet agglomerates were formed as a result of compaction and tumbling action under the condition of saturation degree S from S≧1 in particle preparation stage to S=0.9 (0.85) at final granulation stage, and that Stokes deformation number at that time indicates to determine optimal granulation condition. When introducing new granulation method to commercial agglomeration process for fine powder of iron ore, saturation degree and Stokes deformation number show a suitable operating point of new system to attain required quality of granulation.