ABSTRACT
The chapter describes the process of sintering that is conventionally practiced in industries using a traveling grate machine. The raw materials used and stages of sintering, which are followed through efficient heat transfer vis-à-vis physical-chemical reactions in their various zones, are outlined. The means to control influencing variables including the granulation of sinter mix is described. The sintering operation happens to be challenging; it emits solid and gaseous pollutants in large quantities, while at the same time, it provides an opportunity in the sense that the utilization of metallurgical wastes through the process is significant. The recycling of off-gases for heat recovery, such as in the Emissions Optimized Process®, is important. These topics are dealt with in the chapter. Technologies, such as the hybrid pelletized sinter process (HPS) and composite agglomeration process (CAP), have been developed to utilize finer-sized ore through sintering and have gained considerable attention in recent years as these avoid conventional pelletization; these are also described. The newer systems of charging the sinter mix across the pallets and the guiding rationale are discussed as well.
