Microwave Oven Selection for Carbothermic Reduction of Iron Ore

Abstract

This work deals with the evaluation of two microwave cavity geometric shapes used experimentally to obtain reaction rates of iron ore pellets in a carbothermic reduction process. Parallepipedic and hexahedral cavities were used. Computer simulation showed more uniform spatial distribution of the electromagnetic field in the hexahedral geometry which also had better energy efficiency. A complete 23 factorial experiment was planned to quantify influences of important variables. Experimental real data confirmed the hexahedral geometry superiority suggested by the electromagnetic computer simulations.