Properly Managing Moisture Content

Moisture measurement plays a crucial role in the sinter mix as it directly impacts the gas permeability and burn characteristics during preignition. These factors, in turn, influence the rate of ore reduction and the final quality of the product. The sinter mix primarily consists of ore (such as iron or zinc), limestone, and coke, with the possibility of incorporating additional ingredients like dolomite, manganese, and lime. The precise composition of the raw mix is vital for ensuring high-quality sinter, making it essential to monitor the moisture level and weight of each ingredient. After the ingredients are proportioned, they are homogenized in mixing rolling drums before being conveyed to the conditioner. At this stage, the moisture is carefully adjusted to its optimal percentage before the mix is fed into the Sinter Strand.

The CCS3000 measures moisture instantly using a highly effective, non-contact method which gives you accurate readings in % dry and % wet. And while we are all about moisture, that isn’t all our instruments are capable of testing. The IR-3000 measures temperature, chemical composition, and other levels vital to sinter mix production.

Measurements

Limestone: A feed forward loop can be implemented on the conditioner inlet (4-5%) for improved control. On the conditioner outlet (7-8%), closed-loop moisture control can be utilized before feeding the Sinter Strand.

The gauge must be placed at a distance of 4-12 inches from the product, and at an angle of 18 degrees to the perpendicular if the surface appears reflective (perpendicular otherwise). This tolerance in pass height accounts for any variations in bed depth. The product flow should be uninterrupted and deep enough so that the gauge cannot detect the transporting medium. In case the flow is intermittent, a gating option can be utilized to enable measurement only when the product is visible.