Hydrodynamic behavior of iron ore particles in a circulating fluidized bed reduction system

Mathematical modeling has been carried out for the hydrodynamic behavior of iron ore particles in a circulating fluidized bed reduction system. The hydrodynamic model incorporates gas-solid, solid-solid, gas-wall, and solid-wall interactions. The model predictions were compared with experimental data taken from the literature in terms of solid volume fraction and particle size distribution along the axial location under various operating conditions. Good agreement was obtained between the measured and predicted results. The results showed that the fluidization of iron ores in CFB was mainly affected by the superficial gas velocity and the solid circulation rate, while the ore inventory was less important. Hence, for uniform fluidization, the CFB system has to be operated by controlling the superficial gas velocity and the solid circulation rate rather than the ore inventory.