Utilizing pulverized waste polyvinyl chloride film as an alternative reducing agent for iron ore reduction

Abstract

The research into using waste plastics as a substitute for coal powder and coke as a reducing agent has garnered significant attention, driven by various factors such as increased environmental concerns and growing interest in sustainable materials. This study investigates the process of carbothermal reduction using a mixture of waste polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and iron concentrate. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the heat-treated polyvinyl chloride products (PVC370) exhibited superior reaction properties compared to anthracite. Reduction tests indicated that PVC370-bearing pellets were less sensitive to temperature changes than anthracite-bearing pellets, highlighting a potential advantage of PVC370 in industrial applications. Moreover, the metallization ratio of PVC370-bearing pellets exceeded that of anthracite-bearing pellets before reaching 1150 °C. At a temperature of 1100 °C and a C/O of 0.8, the metallization ratio of PVC370-bearing pellets peaked at 83.17 %. During the reduction process of PVC370-bearing pellets, hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen chloride (HCl) were efficiently released at relatively low temperatures. The efficiency of gas release in the reduction process could be attributed to certain factors, such as the composition or structure of the PVC370-bearing pellets. Notably, the quality of gasses generated during the reduction process of PVC370-bearing pellets is superior to that of anthracite-bearing pellets, even when considering chlorine content.