Biomass enhances the reduction of oxidized pellets with carbon monoxide

In this study, the reduction mechanism of using CO to reduce biomass-oxidized pellets (BOP) and general-oxidized pellets (GOP) was deeply analyzed. The effect of biomass addition on the reduction of oxidized pellets and the change of reduction kinetics were studied. The addition of 2 wt% biomass into pellets increases pores of the oxidized pellets, promotes the rate of CO entering the pellets and the overflow of CO₂, which results in faster reduction of the oxidized pellets. The reduction reactions of BOP and GOP were controlled by internal diffusion, mixing control and interface control sequentially. Also, addition of the biomass to the pellets decreases the activation energy required for their reduction, from 87.30 to 80.65 kJ·mol^-1. The addition of biomass shortens the reduction time by 3% which can reduce the energy consumption. Therefore, the biomass together with CO enhances the reduction of oxidized pellets and has real environmental benefits.