Mechanical Strength of Reduced Iron Ore Pellets Sampled from the LKAB Experimental Blast Furnace

The standard blast furnace pellet grade produced by LKAB in Malmberget and supplied to Nordic customers (MPBO) is manufactured from high grade magnetite concentrate with minor additions, mainly olivine. Outstanding operating results have been proven over the past twenty-five years, but nevertheless work is on-going to further optimize pellet properties to future demands. In this investigation four modifications of MPBO were tested in standard laboratory tests and in the LKAB experimental blast furnace (EBF). Some of the modifications have also been tested in full scale operation.