Contraction and meltdown behaviour of olivine iron ore pellets under simulated blast furnace conditions

In the present study the contraction behaviour of the olivine iron ore pellet MPBO during reduction under load has been investigated. Three different programmes of reducing conditions have been used, corresponding to three different radial positions of the blast furnace. The reducing programmes have included different temperature profiles, reducing atmospheres, and mechanical loads applied to the specimen bed. The results of reduction under load experiments have shown that contraction has roughly three different stages: initial expansion, followed by contraction at a certain rate, and eventually a third stage with contraction at a higher rate. The process of contraction is comprehensively discussed. The influence of the different reducing conditions is outlined.