Characteristics of combustion zone and evolution of mineral phases along bed height in ore sintering

Quantitative parameters of bed combustion, including the thickness of the combustion zone (TCZ), the maximum temperature of the combustion zone (MTCZ), and the bed shrinkage, were characterized through a series of sinter pot tests in transparent quartz pots. The results showed that TCZ first ascended and then descended as the sintering process proceeded. The sintering process was divided into four stages according to the variation rate of the TCZ. A "relative-coordinate" method was developed to obtain the actual reaction temperature of sinter along the height direction. With increasing the sintering temperature, the reactants transformed and entered into liquid phases. The mineral composition and microstructure of the sinter were characterized through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microsco-py-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Liquid phases with greater Fe and Al contents were more likely to form acicular-like silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum after crystallization because of the outward spread of Al, which led to a better fluidity of the liquid. An evolution mechanism of "solid-state reaction—liquid phases formation—crystallization" of the mineral phases is proposed.