Sintering performance of titanium bearing iron ores

Titanium-bearing iron ores are found in many large deposits around the world and are becoming an important alternative source of iron ore due to shortage of high purity ores. More importantly, in many cases Ti-bearing secondary raw materials are introduced into the blast furnace to protect the hearth and extend the blast furnace operating life. As the refractory material in the blast furnace hearth is the most critical part of the blast furnace, extending the life of this area can extend the operation life of the whole blast furnace. The mechanism by which the blast furnace hearth can be protected by addition of titanium to the burden is via the formation of complex titanium carbo-nitrides. These titanium carbo-nitrides with very high melting point form in the hot area of the blast furnace then precipitate in the cooler area of the hearth, i.e. the area where the most heat is lost, as an additional refractory.