Mathematical modeling and distribution characteristics evaluation of fuel particles in iron ore sintering process

[Display omitted] •A mathematical method to describe the fuel distribution in granules.•Good agreement between simulated and measured result have been obtained.•Proportion and particle size effects on fuel distribution have been discussed.•Fuel distribution implies to improve inhomogeneous heat patten in sintering beds. The distribution characteristics of fuel particles is a key factor affecting the thermal state of sintering. To find out the fuel distribution under different granulation conditions, a mathematical method based on the particle population balance and Lister’s model was established in this study. In combination with experiments including granulation and the fixed carbon and sulfur content of detection, the relative error of this model is within ±1.5. The proportion and particle size composition of fuel are selected to evaluate quantitatively the distribution characteristics. The result shows that the fuel distribution in granules mostly accumulates in the middle size granules. The increase of proportion and fine particles content of the fuel leads to the decline of the fuel content in +5 mm granules. With a higher ratio and higher content of fine particles in the fuel, the fuel distribution in the upper and middle of the sintering beds rises while that of the bottom layer is down, which is conducive to changing the nonuniform distribution of thermal. The fuel particle size composition has greater impact on fuel distribution than its proportion. To better investigation, further parameter simulation and optimization of granulation is necessary.