Otimização do processo de pelotização através da seleção adequada de combustíveis sólidos

Abstract

One type of fuel used in the process is anthracite and studies of characterization done at CTF Vale have shown many cases of fuels contaminated with coals. This study focus on evaluation how the contamination of anthracites with coals can affect the quality of the fired pellets and also, how it can affect the fuel handling in the pelletizing plants. For this development some anthracites, with different levels of contamination, were chemical, physical, petrographic and mineralogical characterized and their performance were evaluated in pelletizing pilot plants. According to results, the greater the contamination degree of anthracites with coals the worst was physical quality of fired pellets. In extreme cases, when the anthracites were contaminated with high amount of volatile coals, pellets disintegrated during pot grate tests. Besides, it was observed that the contamination also affects negatively the main parameters that have an effect on fuel handling, that are moisture, size distribution and mineralogical composition.