Influences of Coal Tar Pitch on Metallurgical Properties of Iron Carbon Agglomerates

Utilization of iron carbon agglomerates (ICA) with high reactivity in blast furnace (BF) can reduce fuel ratio and carbon emission by decreasing the temperature of thermal reserve zone, which is considered to be an innovative technology for achieving low‐carbon ironmaking. Herein, the influences of coal tar pitch (CTP) as binder on the metallurgical properties of ICA are investigated. The results show that the compressive strength of ICA is first enhanced from 1639 to 3168 N and then reduced to 2243 N with the ratio of CTP increasing from 0% to 11%. Meanwhile, the drum strength () of ICA is accelerated from 67.3% to 80.5% and then leveled off. In addition, the reactivity of ICA is mitigated from 65.6% to 58.1% first and then increased to 68.8%, while the post‐reaction strength shows an inverse trend. When the ratio of CTP is 5–7%, the mechanical strength, reactivity, and post‐reaction of ICA are all at a relatively better levels. For the ICA with adding CTP, the mechanical strength is dependent on the microstructure, pore volume, and specific surface area, whereas the variation of reactivity and post‐reaction strength are relevant to the pore structure and carbon crystallites structure.