PRODUCTION OF IRON ORE PELLETS BY UTILIZATION OF SUNFLOWER HUSKS

Steel production is the most dynamic industry and one of the key sectors for the development of the global economy. The growing production of iron ore increases the need for its beneficiation and granulating for subsequent use in the production of iron and steel. As a result, the number of CO2 emissions and harmful substances increases, which negatively affects both society and the environment. It is important to study the use of biomass for the production of iron ore pellets. Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable and sustainable source of heat and energy that can mitigate climate change. The efficiency of using sunflower husks on the combined machine “straight grate - rotary kiln - annular cooler” to partially replace natural gas in the production of iron ore pellets has been studied. The influences of alternative fuel use on technological indicators of the process and quality of iron ore pellets have been analyzed. It was found that the combustion of sunflower husks generates enough heat to obtain iron ore pellets with good strength. The main indicators of the quality of iron ore pellets remain at the same level as the iron ore pellet quality when using natural gas.