INFLUENCE OF OPERATING CONDITIONS ON THE DEHUMIDIFICATION OF SINTER AND PELLET FEED IRON ORE

Abstract

The study analyzed the influence of drying air temperature, air velocity, and bed thickness on the dehumidification of sinter and pellet feed iron ore. The experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel under various combinations of operating conditions. The results indicated that bed thickness was the parameter with the greatest impact, while air temperature and velocity had secondary effects. It was found that, up to approximately 8% moisture, the drying mechanism occurred under a constant rate, being strongly dependent on the internal moisture migration rate. No significant difference was observed in the constant rate drying period between the two types of ore; however, during the falling rate period, the pellet feed iron ore exhibited slower internal diffusion