Numerical simulation of particle mixing and granulation performance in rotating drums during the iron ore sintering process

Granulation is an important process in iron ore sintering to increase particle size for better permeability. In this study, the granulation of mixed iron ore, coke, and flux in a rotating drum is studied by the discrete element method. The results of mixing indicate that the particle-particle collision number is closely related to the composition of raw materials, and the presence of the drum baffle amplifies the collision number several times. After granulation, the type and quantity of attached small particles on the core particle surface are analyzed, showing that with the water content increasing from 2% to 8%, the number of small particles attached continuously increases. The drum rotating speed does not significantly affect the adhesion of small particles. However, the existence of baffles can significantly increase the number of iron ore small particles adhered to the core particles at the rotating speed of 28 rpm.