Valuation of process efficiency of bauxite charge sintering furnace

Abstract

PPeculiarities of change of its thermal operation using experimental data of thermal engineering studies are considered for evaluation of technological efficiency of rotary sintering furnace. It was found that the main material flows in the rotary sintering furnace are pulp consumption (47,65 %), as well as gaseous flows of air (48,90 %) and fuel combustion waste products (51,17 %) with process gases (18,01 %) and removal of physical moisture in the form of steam (12,34 %). Efficiency of solid charge components participation in the process is characterized by sinter (21,46 %), dust removal from the working space (1,71 %) and flow of recycled dust particles (0,96 %) and is due to limited heat exchange intensity in the working space. Comparative analysis of the parameters of gas flows at the outlet of the furnace indicates a low efficiency of using existing dust deposition equipment: a settling chamber of no more than 43,66 %, electrofilters of no more than 89,77‒90,00 %. To improve their performance, it is proposed to use acoustic intensification of the dust deposition process. Examination of material flows of sintering process indicates unsaturated composition of bauxite charge with possibility of limited development of exothermic reactions. When studying the articles of the thermal balance of the sintering furnace, a significant level of heat losses with sinter and with exhaust gases was established, which limits the total thermal efficiency of the unit to no more than 67,16 %..