A hydrodynamic model of U-type reduction chamber for iron ore suspension roaster

The U-type reduction chamber plays a significant role in the suspension roaster, which is known for its efficiency in utilizing complex refractory iron ores. This study aims to develop a hydrodynamic model for the operation of materials in the fluidization chamber, where they are fluidized while particles in the supply chamber are in a moving packed bed. A hydrodynamic model consisting of four equations was established through fluid dynamic analysis, allowing for the determination of solids concentration in the fluidization chamber and the materials' height in the supply chamber under varying operating conditions. The effects of fluidizing gas velocity and delivery rate on these parameters were investigated via a combination of model analysis and experiments conducted in a U-type reduction chamber cold test apparatus using alumina particles. The model predictions demonstrated strong agreement with the experimental results, with average errors below 6.28% for solids concentration and 4.96% for materials' height. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing the operation of the U-type reduction chamber in suspension roasting applications.