Optimizing sintering air volume for enhanced lean gas recovery and environmental performance

Area of Science:

• Metallurgical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Sintering flue gas contains combustible lean gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen (H₂), and methane (CH₄).
• Efficient recovery of these gases is vital for energy optimization and environmental protection due to their fuel value and global warming potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of sintering air volume on the characteristics of combustible lean gases in sintering flue gas.
• To determine optimal sintering conditions for improved lean gas recovery and reduced environmental impact.

Main Methods:

• Experiments were conducted on a fixed combustion test bench.
• Sintering negative pressure, flue gas composition, and sinter quality were analyzed under varying air volumes (m³/(m²·min)).

Main Results:

• An air volume of 90 m³/(m²·min) resulted in a lower combustion ratio (ω(CO)/ω(CO + CO₂)), indicating more efficient fuel energy utilization.
• Increased air volume per unit area reduced sintering time.
• Mass fractions of CO, H₂, and CH₄ decreased with rising air volume, highlighting the need for CH₄ recovery due to its high global warming potential.

Conclusions:

• Sintering air volume significantly influences lean gas composition and combustion efficiency.
• Optimizing air volume is crucial for enhancing lean gas recovery and minimizing environmental impact from sintering operations.