Controlling iron ore sintering plant - by computer using permeability measurement to control burn-through position

摘要

In the sintering of fine grained iron ore, which has been mixed with fuel, lime, water and recycled material, by feeding the mixt. onto a sinter belt or travelling grate and igniting its surface under an ignition hood while passing oxygen-contg. gases through it, the gas permeability of the mixt. is measured immediately after the required layer height has been formed and before it passes under the ignition hood. The measurement is fed into a computer which calculates the expected position of the burn-through point according to chemical analysis, mass flow and moisture content of the mixt. and process parameters such as belt or grate speed, coke requirement, layer height, recycle material ratio and water addn. The computer then compares this position with the required position near the last suction box at the output end of the belt or grate and alters at least one process parameter if there is any difference in the positions. Method gives an effective feed-forward control with no dead time resulting in uniform sinter quality in spite of variations in the feed mixt. No variation of the feed mixt. to alter its permeability, is required.