Kinetics of Reduction in Stages of Pellets Prepared from the Bayan Obo Iron Ore Concentrate

[Image: see text] To explore the reduction swelling process of pellets prepared from the Bayan Obo iron ore concentrate, based on the iron oxide reduction theory of pellets, the reduction of pellets prepared from the Bayan Obo iron ore concentrate was analyzed by thermogravimetric experiments and kinetic calculations in three stages. The reason for the abnormal swelling of pellets prepared from the Bayan Obo iron ore concentrate was analyzed from the perspective of kinetics. The research results showed that carbon deposition occurred in the first stage of reduction. The second stage of reduction was controlled by an interfacial chemical reaction, and the activation energy of the reaction was 117.99 kJ/mol. The reaction energy barrier was higher and the reaction rate was slower, and therefore, the reduction swelling rate of pellets was lower at this stage. The third stage of reduction was controlled by internal diffusion, and the reaction activation energy was 15.9 kJ/mol. The reduction reaction of pellets occurs violently, and the reduction swelling behavior was remarkable at this stage.