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Palletization Plant

In the pelletization process, very small iron ore particles, called fines, are fused into uniform sized pieces that may be fed into the blast furnace.  The ore fines are mixed with a binder, called bentonite, and then fused together in a rotary kiln to form small, round pellets of iron ore.  Pelletization plants are usually located at or near the mines where the iron ore is found.  The iron ore is usually delivered to the steel mills in the form of pellets.

 

Benefits

  • Continuous real-time temperature indication.
  • Views through heavy dust and dirty optics.
  • Improved process optimization at the kiln through consistent temperature control and reduced overheating.
  • Large optics allows for a single sensor to cover a large area at the cooling zone.

 

The green (uncured) pellets are preheated to about 1900 F / 1050 C before they enter the kiln in order to drive off moisture and to allow for a uniform temperature distribution within the rotary kiln.  The pellets are then cured and hardened at about 2400 F / 1325 C in the rotary kiln.  Once they exit the rotary kiln, the pellets are cooled and distributed on a conveyor.  A uniform kiln entry temperature is required in order to assure a uniform curing temperature within the kiln.  The curing temperature within the kiln is critical.  If the process is too cool, then the product is not properly cured.  If the process is too hot, then the excess energy costs are significant.  The product temperature at the exit of the cooling zone is used to assure that conveyor belts used to distribute the pellets are not damaged.

 

Technical Features

  • Dual-Wavelength technology provides the industry-leading signal dilution capability to view through heavy dust and dirty optics.
  • Single-Wavelength technology is designed to view through flames within the kiln.
  • Auto-Null technology provides low-temperature measurement while minimizing influence of dirty optics.

 

Dual-wavelength sensors are recommended for the heating zone applications because of the dusty environment.  The dual-wavelength sensors can better tolerate dirty optics.  Single-wavelength sensors are recommended if it is necessary for the sensor to view through the flame.