Reduction behavior of chromite carbon composite pellets, at temperature of 1873K

Pre-reduced ferrochromium with high recovery yield of chromium is expected to decrease the overall energy consumption for ferrochromium production. The advantages of pre-reduced in comparison with lump ore in charging electric furnace for ferro-chromium production are: i) low consumption of electric energy; ii) use of fines of chromite and reductant; iii) better operational control of the electric furnace. The self-reducing pellets containing Brazilian chromite (Jacurici concentrate), petroleum coke and 2% Fe-75%Si, were agglomerated with Portland cement. For each experiment ∼200g of pellets was used and they were placed at reduction zone (1773K) in a laboratory rotary kiln furnace. Experiments with 5, 10 and 30 minutes were made. The reduced pellets were analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy and it was observed: practically complete reductions of Cr and Fe; formation of a continuous slag phase at 30 minutes; a pre-reduced with compression strength of 130 kgf and without re-oxidation. The results have shown a great potential for use of this self-reducing process for high carbon ferro-chromium production.