| Abstract Scope |
To eliminate the reliance of ferrochromium alloy production on solid carbon, chromite powder was reduced using methane-hydrogen gas in a fluidized-bed reactor in this study. The results show that the reduction degree of Fe and Cr can reach 89.77% and 50.48% in fluidized-bed at 900 ℃ for 3h, which is comparable to the reduction efficiency of a horizontal furnace at 1100 ℃.Integrated characterization, including chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope - Energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), the reduction mechanism of chromite was revealed: the fluidized state enhanced gas-solid contact and mass transfer. During the reduction process, the chromite particles present three regions: the outer metal shell, the iron-poor diffusion zone, and the internal unreacted core, following the 'interfacial reaction - diffusion control' mechanism. This study provides a new method for low carbon and efficient reduction of chromite. |