ABSTRACT
The Chapter details the topics pertaining to the fundamental and basics of the sintering process. This is important in the sense that the process, though material specific, can be described by the basics of physical-chemical reactions and their kinetics, which are independent of the material characteristics. The broader and universally accepted principles of heat and mass transfer, also the various chemical reactions vis-à-vis the formation of sinter minerals and their changes, which prevail in various zones and that guide the sintering and various indices, are outlined. The Chapter describes the coalescence and assimilation phenomena, which have important roles to control the reactions in the sintering bed and also to obtain the target minerals structure (e.g., SFCA) in sinter and bonding which give strength to sinter and also improve its reduction parameters.
The Chapter details important outcomes of the process, namely, sinter productivity and its properties as governed by these fundamentals. The basics and schematic representation to undertake an efficient sintering operation incorporating both these indices simultaneously are outlined. The improvement in granulation has significant potential in sintering, especially in the case of complex ores. The schematic of granulation and the role of moisture vis-à-vis the bed permeability to improve the sintering efficiency both have been outlined. The granulation has been explained in terms of the moisture absorbing capacity of the ore particles and their adhering behavior at different sizes. The granulation indices in different forms have been defined and correlated, including that using Ergun's equation. The Chapter describes the qualities of sinter vis-à-vis its mineralogical and morphological characteristics and the influencing variables with respect to the sinter productivity.
The Chapter mentions important procedural steps: the ignition of granulated mix to initiate sintering and the combustion of admixed fuel in the sintering bed for various physical-chemical reactions. The ignition intensity is computed and the controlling parameters are briefed. The material and heat balances that prevail in the sintering process are described. The mass balance over different chemical components has been made to compute the sinter charge.
