A series of experiments have been conducted for the development of an iron ore briquetting technology. The following results were obtained:
(1) The drop strength of green briquettes increased with the addition of 1 wt% bentonite, 0.5-1.0 wt% rignin, 3 wt% slaked lime, and 3 wt% cement. Among these additives, bentonite was found to be the most effective.
(2) In order to examine the abrasion of briquettes in the rotary kiln induration process, tumbler tests were conducted for pre-heated briquettes. It was found that the abrasion index (-3 mm%) of briquettes improved with the above-mentioned additives especially bentonite. These results were significantly better than those for pellets.
(3) The sphere shape of pellets causes problems in the blast furnace, such as low reposed angle, susceptibility of layersliding, and pellets sinking. These problems were remarkably improved with briquetting. Additional briquette characteristics, such as compression strength and reducibility were nearly equal to those of pellets.