A comprehensive random pore model kinetic study of hematite to iron reduction by hydrogen

The consistent growth of industrialization has intensified the need for Iron and steel. Thus, it is essential to improve the efficiency of iron manufacturing plants. This work studies the inherent kinetics of hematite reduction to Iron with H2 via a random pore model (RPM) as the most sophisticated non-catalytic gas–solid reaction model. In this regard, reduction tests were performed on a pure hematite pellet by changing the reduction temperature and H2 concentration. Then, kinetic parameters were calculated via an RPM based on the pellet's pore size distribution. Validations of the calculated kinetic parameters using other pure hematite pellets with different characteristics besides an industrial pellet proved the robustness of this inclusive approach. The activation energy for the H2 reduction was obtained at 40.87 kJ/mol. Also, the diffusion coefficient of oxygen ions through the iron product layer for the industrial pellet was measured at 2.83 × 10-17 m2/s.