Effect of the Kind of Iron Oxide in Reduced Iron Pellets on the Melting Rate into Iron Melt

The rate of melting of partly reduced iron pellets made from pure iron powder and iron oxide powder by pressing into iron melt was measured. The effect of the kind of iron oxide existing in pellets and the weight of pellets on the melting rate of pellets have been investigated. The following results are obtained: (1) The existence of FeO, Fe3O4 and Fe2O3 was confirmed in low reduction pellets produced commercially, while only FeO in high reduction ones. (2) The difference in melting rates among the pellets containing different iron oxide was small when the content of oxygen in reduced iron pellets was the same. (3) The apparent activation energy for melting of pellets containing FeO into iron melt was 33kcal/mol which was the same as that of those containing Fe2O3, while that of those containing Fe3O4 was 21kcal/mol. (4) The maximum melting rate of pellets containing iron oxides was obtained at the range of 2.5-3.5%C in iron melt. (5) The melting rate of pellets into iron melt increased with increasing weight of pellets.