Effect of pellet feed removal on the sintering process at ArcelorMittal Monlevad
Gerson Evaristo de Paula Júnior; Alinne Júlia de Araújo Souza Lima; Patrícia Torres Ambrósio; Érica Simões Rodrigues Vinco; Jorge Luiz de Souza Taveira; Mateus Antônio Gonçalves Assis; Leonardo Francisco Berçot; Thiago Públio Rocha Teixeira
Abstract
The Hybrid Pelletized Sinter (HPS) process was implemented at ArcelorMittal Monlevade to enable the use of iron ore from the company’s own mine while maintaining high productivity. Limitations in ore availability increased the pellet feed share in the sinter mix to approximately 60%, negatively affecting process performance. This study aimed to evaluate, through an industrial trial, the effects of the complete removal of pellet feed from the sintering process. A threeday industrial trial was conducted using exclusively sinter feed with standard granulometry, while the main operating parameters of the sintering machine were kept constant. Productivity, bed permeability, sinter yield, and mixture moisture were monitored, and the sinter was characterized through chemical, physical, mineralogical, and metallurgical analyses, including tumble strength, Reduction Degradation Index (RDI), and reducibility. The results showed an average increase of approximately 5% in sintering productivity, associated with improved bed permeability due to the coarser particle size distribution. In addition, an average reduction of 5 percentage points in the RDI was observed, with no significant changes in mineralogical characteristics or overall sinter quality. The test results showed that pellet feed removal improved sintering efficiency and supported ore blend optimization.
Keywords
References
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Submitted date:
10/28/2026
Accepted date:
05/07/2026
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