Effect of MgO Content on Properties of Bahariya Iron Ore Sinter under the Conditions of Egyptian Iron & Steel Company (EISCO)

Results of research to assess the effect of increasing the MgO content in the finished sinter from 1.0 to 2.55% on its various metallurgical properties under the conditions of the Egyptian Iron & Steel Company (EISCO) are presented. The increased strength of the sinter in terms of the +5 mm fraction from 84 to 92% due to greater surface melting caused by the lower viscosity and higher fluidity of the primary melt is evidenced by higher bulk density of the sinter samples from 2.78 to 3.11 g/cm³ and a significant decrease in their porosity from 20.54 to 14.87%. This leads to a twofold decrease in the reducibility index of the finished sinter from 85.03 to 39.22%. A decrease in the porosity of the sinter in the secondary cooling zone reduces the secondary oxidation of FeO formed in the combustion zone of solid fuel along with an increased reduction potential of drawn-off gases. Higher MgO content values in the primary melt leads indirectly to an increase in the residual FeO content in the sinter from 13.1 to 16.3% at the same value of solid fuel consumption for sintering.