Iron ore containing pelletizing configuration and production method

Abstract

The present invention concerns an iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1) adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3) by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates (2) comprising magnetite and a method of production of said agglomerates (3) The configuration (1) comprises a drying zone (7) configured to dry the agglomerates; an induration zone (8) configured to indurate the agglomerates; and a cooling zone (13) configured to cool down the indurated agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid (FL). The configuration (1) is configured to feed the gaseous fluid (FL) to an oxygen injection device for injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL). A heating device (16) is configured for heating the gaseous fluid (FL) for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17). The heating device is positioned before and / or after said oxygen injection device and a gas introduction device (15) of the configuration (1) is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) into the induration zone (8) for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

Description

[0001] Iron ore containing pelletizing configuration and production method

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to an iron oxide pelletizing configuration adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite. The present invention further relates to a method of production of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates by means of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0004] The present invention further relates to a data program, programmed with a program code adapted for causing the iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to any of the preceding claims to execute the method.

[0005] The present invention may concern the mining industry and / or the iron oxide production industry and / or the iron material making industry.

[0006] The present invention may concern metallurgical process industry producing oxidized iron containing agglomerates, such as iron oxide agglomerates or other types of iron oxide material.

[0007] The present invention also may concern manufacturers and suppliers of iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0008] BACKGROUND

[0009] Oxidized iron containing agglomerates are produced by different types of iron oxide pelletizing configurations configured to indurate iron oxide containing agglomerates (so called green agglomerates).

[0010] Current iron oxide pelletizing configurations provide that the oxidized iron containing agglomerates are cooled down in a cooling zone of a cooler device and subsequently distributed from the iron oxide pelletizing configuration for transportation to steel producers.

[0011] The current iron oxide pelletizing configurations may be of different models, such as straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configurations or grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configurations.

[0012] The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration is adapted to move iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of a travelling grate device, such as a continuous grate, through different zones for drying, induration and cooling. The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configurations may use a first travelling grate device coupled to a rotary kiln which in turn is coupled to a second travelling grate device of the cooler device.

[0013] Traditional methods of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates, where the crude iron ore from the mine is upgraded by several steps, such as including grinding, crushing, sizing and balling, include a following step of induration and cooling.

[0014] The induration may be defined as a process provided to oxidize and sinter of the iron oxide containing agglomerates, wherein sintering mainly may take place in a kiln device of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration for increasing the strength and metallurgical properties of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates. The kiln device may comprise a large, cylindrical, rotating oven with a burner device in one end producing a diffusion flame providing the necessary heat throughout the whole kiln device and also provides heat to the earlier stages of the process, such as to the pre-heating zone of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0015] In a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration, the sintering mainly may take place in a firing zone and / or in an after firing zone of the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration for increasing the strength and metallurgical properties of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0016] Known iron oxide pelletizing configurations adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates may use a gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement for circulating a gaseous fluid, such as a process gas or heated air, through the preheating zone and the firing zone of the iron oxide pelletizing configurations, for oxidizing the iron oxide containing agglomerates. However, the known iron oxide pelletizing configurations are energy consuming in some cases.

[0017] Known iron oxide pelletizing configurations in some cases produce oxidized iron containing agglomerates having adversely affected properties. Prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations may produce large amount of CO2 and other exhaust gases.

[0018] One problem with iron oxide pelletizing configurations of today is that they do not optimize the recovery of exhaust heat.

[0019] One problem with prior art ore oxide pelletizing configurations is that they may produce dust emissions due to insufficiently heat treated and / or oxidized and / or insufficiently indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates, when producing the iron oxide containing agglomerates discharged from the iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0020] Furthermore, one problem with iron oxide pelletizing configurations of today is that they involve relatively low production rate for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0021] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] There is an object to provide an iron oxide pelletizing configuration and a method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite by means of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration, wherein the production rate is increased relative prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations.

[0023] There is an object to provide an iron oxide pelletizing configuration and a method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates, wherein energy consumption used for the production can be decreased relative prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations. There is an object to provide an iron oxide pelletizing configuration and a method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates, wherein higher quality of the produced oxidized iron containing agglomerates can be reached relative prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations.

[0024] There is an object to provide an iron oxide pelletizing configuration and a method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates, wherein lower production costs relative prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations can be reached.

[0025] There is an object to provide a metal agglomerate production configuration that enables efficient control of the heat energy content fed from the cooler device to the induration zone.

[0026] There is an object to reduce fossil carbon emissions by decreasing or eliminating the use of coal or oil to heat the metal ore material in the induration apparatus.

[0027] There is an object to develop prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations and prior art methods of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0028] There is an object to maintain proper heat profile throughout the kiln device to obtain high quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0029] This or at least one of said objects has been achieved by an iron oxide pelletizing configuration adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite, the iron oxide pelletizing configuration comprises; an induration zone configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates; and a control circuitry adapted to control the production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration further comprises a feeding device configured to feed a gaseous fluid from a gaseous fluid supply; an oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid; a heating device configured for heating the gaseous fluid; for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas; said heating device is positioned before and / or after said oxygen injection device seen in the flow direction of the gaseous fluid; wherein; a gas introduction device of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite.

[0030] A cooling zone of a cooler device may be configured to cool down the Indurated agglomerates and / or heated and / or oxidized and / or sintered agglomerates by means of the gaseous fluid.

[0031] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a drying zone configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates. The induration zone may comprise the drying zone.

[0032] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, the pellet bed will be heated by the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas and by the thermal process developed by oxidization of the magnetite.

[0033] There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a higher thermal energy than prior art, which in turn promotes an energy efficient production of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates and also improves the quality of the produced oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0034] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may be set to exhibit a temperature set by means of the heating device and / or flow rate set by the feeding device, for causing the iron oxide containing agglomerates subjected to be oxidized (and / or sintered) to exhibit a desired temperature.

[0035] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may be controlled by the control circuitry to exhibit a (desired) temperature set by means of controlling the heating device and / or controlling the flow rate provided by the feeding device, for causing the iron oxide containing agglomerates subjected to be oxidized (and / or sintered) to exhibit a temperature of; about 700°C - 900°C, preferably about 750°C - 850°C; or about 750°C - 950°C, preferably about 800°C - 900°C; or about 800°C - 1000°C, preferably about 850°C - 950°C; or about 850°C - 1050°C, preferably about 900°C - 1000°C; or about 900°C - 1100°C, preferably about 950°C - 1050°C; or about 950°C - 1150°C, preferably about 1000°C - 1100°C; or about 1000°C - 1200°C, preferably about 1050°C - 1150°C; or about 1050°C - 1250°C, preferably about 1100°C - 1200°C; or about 1100°C - 1300°C, preferably about 1150°C - 1250°C.

[0036] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas there is provided higher oxidation rate of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates versus prior art configurations.

[0037] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may be controlled to comprise a desired content of oxygen by means of the control circuitry coupled to the oxygen injection device for controlling the oxygen injection device to regulate the amount of oxygen fed into the gaseous fluid, wherein the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may comprise; about 21-40vol% oxygen, preferably about 23-37vol% oxygen; or about 30-50vol% oxygen, preferably about 33-47vol% oxygen; or about 40-60vol% oxygen, preferably about 43-57vol% oxygen; or about 50-70vol% oxygen, preferably about 53-67vol% oxygen; or about 60-80vol% oxygen, preferably about 63-77vol% oxygen; or about 70-90vol% oxygen, preferably about 73-87vol% oxygen; or about 80-100vol% oxygen, preferably about 83-97vol% oxygen.

[0038] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, the pellet bed will be heated.

[0039] There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a high thermal energy, which combined with the high oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, provides an energy efficient oxidization of the magnetite. In such way is achieved that the production rate can be increased due to a more energy effective process at the same time as the quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0040] In such way there is achieved that the oxidation rate of the iron oxide containing agglomerates is increased relative prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations.

[0041] In such way there is achieved that the production rate is increased relative prior art iron oxide pelletizing configurations.

[0042] In such way the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas or the gaseous fluid injected with oxygen can be used as a cooling medium for cooling the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates, at the same time as the oxygen containing process gas is pre-heated by the cooler device, wherein provided oxygen containing preheated process gas is produced.

[0043] The oxygen injection device may be configured to inject an oxygen containing gas into the gaseous fluid and / or to follow the flow of the gaseous fluid.

[0044] The oxygen injection device may be configured to inject oxygen of an oxygen carrying gas into the gaseous fluid.

[0045] The induration zone configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates may be configured to heat and / or to oxidize and / or sinter the iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0046] The oxygen carrying gas may comprise 100 % oxygen or less.

[0047] The oxygen carrying gas may comprise about 80-100 % oxygen.

[0048] The oxygen carrying gas may comprise about 60-80 % oxygen.

[0049] The oxygen carrying gas may comprise about 40-60 % oxygen. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration further may comprise a discharge arrangement of the agglomerates transportation device configured to discharge the oxidized iron containing agglomerates from the cooling zone.

[0050] The heating device may comprise a heat exchanger of the cooling zone and / or comprises a burner device.

[0051] The heat exchanger of the cooler device may be configured to transfer heat from the indurated agglomerates, - discharged from the induration zone to the cooling zone to the gaseous fluid passing the heat exchanger.

[0052] The gaseous fluid may be fed to the oxygen injection device, after that the gaseous fluid has been heated by the heat exchanger, for forming the oxygen containing preheated process gas.

[0053] The gaseous fluid may be fed to the oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen to the gaseous fluid before the gaseous fluid is pre-heated by the heating device, e.g. the heat exchanger, for forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0054] The heat exchanger may be configured to work according to “a thermal contact principle” and / or “a temperature difference principle” and / or “a heat exchange storage surface functionality” such as any type of plate heat exchanger and / or according to any type of principle.

[0055] Thereby is achieved efficient exchange of thermal energy from the indurated agglomerates to the gaseous fluid.

[0056] The heating device, such a burner device and / or a heat exchanger of a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration or of a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration, may be positioned downstream and / or upstream the oxygen injection device, seen in the flow direction of the gaseous fluid flow of the gaseous fluid fed from the gaseous fluid supply, for providing or forming the oxygen containing preheated process gas to be fed into the induration zone. The heat exchanger of the heating device may be arranged to the cooler device and may be configured for heating the gaseous fluid before and / or after the gaseous fluid is injected with oxygen by means of the oxygen injection device forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to be fed into the induration zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0057] The gaseous fluid may be fed by means of the feeding device configured to feed the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid supply to the heating device, e.g. the heat exchanger of the cooler device and / or burner device.

[0058] The gaseous fluid may be fed by means of the feeding device configured to feed the gaseous fluid from the heating device, e.g. the heat exchanger and / or burner device, to the oxygen injection device.

[0059] The gaseous fluid may be fed by means of the feeding device configured to feed the gaseous fluid from the oxygen injection device to the burner device of a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas before being introduced into the induration zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0060] The heating device may be configured to pre-heat the gaseous fluid injected with oxygen.

[0061] The feeding device may be configured to feed the gaseous fluid (FL) to a downcomer line arrangement of a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration, which downcomer line arrangement comprises the burner device and / or the oxygen injection device.

[0062] The induration zone may comprise the burner device. The kiln firing zone may comprise the burner device. The burner device may comprise a hydrogen burner configured for heating the gaseous fluid, wherein the hydrogen burner may be adapted to combust hydrogen gas in order to produce heat used for heating the gaseous fluid.

[0063] The production of heat by means of the hydrogen burner may involve the releasing of energy in the form of heat by a reaction of hydrogen with oxygen (e.g. from air).

[0064] The hydrogen burner may comprise a combustion chamber into which the hydrogen and oxygen is fed, wherein in which combustion chamber the hydrogen and the oxygen may be mixed within a flammable range for providing combustion, i.e. the concentration of hydrogen is regulated by a hydrogen injection valve device of the hydrogen burner, which hydrogen injection valve may be adapted to inject hydrogen into the combustion chamber for providing a favourable mixture for combustion, i.e. the hydrogen and oxygen forming a fuel for combustion.

[0065] The control circuitry may be electronically coupled to the hydrogen injection valve device for regulating said concentration of hydrogen in the combustion chamber.

[0066] The combustion chamber may comprise a hydrogen concentration detecting device for monitoring and controlling the concentration of the hydrogen in the combustion chamber.

[0067] In such way there is provided a steady and controlled flow of hydrogen to the combustion chamber and also enabling control of the heat used for heating the gaseous fluid.

[0068] The combustion chamber may comprise an oxygen concentration detecting device for monitoring and controlling the concentration of the oxygen in the combustion chamber.

[0069] The control circuitry may be adapted to control the combustion and production of heat by controlling an oxygen injection valve device of the combustion chamber The control circuitry may be electronically coupled to the oxygen injection valve device for regulating said concentration of oxygen in the combustion chamber.

[0070] The control circuitry may be adapted to control the combustion and production of heat by controlling the hydrogen injection valve device and / or the oxygen injection valve device.

[0071] The control circuitry may be adapted to regulate the flow of hydrogen and oxygen into the combustion chamber ensuring correct stoichiometric ratio for efficient combustion.

[0072] The hydrogen burner may comprise a temperature sensor device electronically coupled to the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry may be adapted to control the temperature of the heat transferred to the gaseous fluid from a desired temperature of heat produced by the combustion.

[0073] The hydrogen burner may comprise an ignition member adapted to initiate the combustion.

[0074] The hydrogen burner may comprise a thermal transfer member configured to transfer the heat of combusted hydrogen to the gaseous fluid.

[0075] The hydrogen burner may comprise a flame sensor and / or a pressure sensor and / or shut-off valve configured to detect deviations from normal functionality of the hydrogen burner for ensuring safe operation.

[0076] The hydrogen burner may comprise an exhaust system configured to expel byproducts of the combustion, such as mainly water vapour.

[0077] The burner device may comprise a hydrogen burner.

[0078] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise an electrolysis unit configured to produce oxygen; which oxygen may be transferred to the oxygen injection device to be injected into the gaseous fluid. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise an oxygen generator configured to separate oxygen from nitrogen and other components of air. The oxygen may be transferred to the oxygen injection device to be injected into the gaseous fluid.

[0079] The electrolysis unit is configured to separate hydrogen and oxygen from water by means of electricity, which entirely or at least to some extent is produced by renewable energy sources.

[0080] The water of the water vapour produced by the hydrogen burner may be transferred to the electrolysis unit, configured to produce hydrogen and oxygen.

[0081] The electrolysis unit may be configured to produce oxygen to be used by the oxygen injection device and / or the gas introduction device and / or the burner device and may be configured to produce hydrogen to be used by the burner device.

[0082] Oxygen produced by the electrolysis unit may be transferred to the oxygen injection device and / or to the gas introduction device and / or to the burner device.

[0083] Hydrogen produced by the electrolysis unit may be transferred to the burner device.

[0084] The oxygen injection device and / or the gas introduction device and / or the burner device may be configured to inject / introduce oxygen produced by the electrolysis unit.

[0085] The oxygen injection device may be configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid forming an oxygen injected gaseous fluid to be fed into the cooling zone for cooling down the indurated agglomerates and for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite.

[0086] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a gas mixer device configured to mix oxygen, injected by the oxygen injection device, with the pre-heated gaseous fluid forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas. The gas mixer device may be electrically coupled to the control circuitry adapted to control the mixing of oxygen mixed with the pre-heated gaseous fluid for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0087] The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device and may be adapted to control the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid, based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone; and / or the control circuitry may be electrically coupled to an oxygen concentration sensor arrangement configured to detect the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid.

[0088] The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone; and / or the control circuitry may be electrically coupled to a temperature sensor arrangement configured to detect the temperature of the agglomerates in the induration zone.

[0089] The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid based on actual rate of oxygen diffusion into hematite crystal of the agglomerates in the induration zone; the control circuitry may be electrically coupled to a hematite crystal detection arrangement configured to detect the hematite crystal structure of the agglomerates discharged from the induration zone.

[0090] The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to the gas mixer device configured to mix oxygen with the pre-heated gaseous fluid based on actual oxygen / air mixing ratio of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas in the induration zone; the control circuitry may be electrically coupled to an oxygen / air mixing ratio sensing arrangement of the induration zone and / or of an oxygen containing gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement for sensing the actual oxygen / air mixing ratio.

[0091] A gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise the feeding device (such as an electrical air pump, a rotary gaseous fluid displacement pump, a high volume suction pump, a cooling air fan, an exhaust fan, a rotary vacuum pump etc.), coupled for gaseous fluid communication with the gaseous fluid supply, such as an air inlet, adapted for providing the gaseous fluid (air and / or heated air) and / or the exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement adapted for providing an exhaust gaseous fluid, the gaseous fluid (air and / or heated air) and / or the exhaust gaseous fluid being fed to the oxygen injection device and the heating device for forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to be fed into the induration zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0092] The exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement may comprise a first exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement configured to feed a first exhaust gaseous fluid from the preheating zone to a first cooling cell of the cooling zone by means of the feeding device.

[0093] The exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement may comprise a second exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement configured to feed a second exhaust gaseous fluid from a tempered pre-heating zone to a second cooling cell of the cooling zone by means of the feeding device.

[0094] A gas introduction device may comprise a first oxygen containing gaseous fluid introduction member configured to provide a first oxygen containing oxidation gas flow and a second oxygen containing gaseous fluid introduction member configured to provide a second oxygen containing oxidation gas flow.

[0095] This or at least one of said objects has been achieved by a method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates according to claim 14.

[0096] This or at least one of said objects has been achieved by a method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite by means of an iron oxide pelletizing configuration adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite, the iron oxide pelletizing configuration comprises; an induration zone configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates; and a control circuitry adapted to control the production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration further comprises a feeding device configured to feed a gaseous fluid from a gaseous fluid supply; an oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid; a heating device configured for heating the gaseous fluid; for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas; said heating device is positioned before and / or after said oxygen injection device seen in the flow direction of the gaseous fluid; wherein; a gas introduction device of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite, the method is characterized by the steps of: feeding the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid supply toward the induration zone via the cooling zone; injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid by means of the oxygen injection device; heating the gaseous fluid by means of the heating device; and introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone by means of the gas introduction device for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite.

[0097] The method may be characterized by the step of moving the agglomerates from the induration zone to the cooling zone.

[0098] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a discharge arrangement of an agglomerates transportation device configured to discharge the oxidized iron containing agglomerates from a cooling zone, the agglomerates transportation device may be configured for transportation of the agglomerates from a drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone.

[0099] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a cooling zone of a cooler device configured to cool down the indurated agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise an agglomerates transportation device configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone.

[0100] The step of introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may be performed to a pre-heating zone and / or a firing zone of the induration zone by means of the a gas introduction device for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating and / or firing.

[0101] The firing zone may primarily be adapted to heat the gaseous fluid and / or the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0102] The method may comprise the further step of injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid before and / or after the gaseous fluid is fed into the cooling zone for cooling down the indurated agglomerates and for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite.

[0103] The step of heating the gaseous fluid may be performed before and / or after the step of injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid.

[0104] The method may comprise the further step of discharging the oxidized iron containing agglomerates from the cooler device by means of a discharge arrangement of the agglomerates transportation device configured to discharge the oxidized iron containing agglomerates from the cooling zone.

[0105] This or at least one of said objects has been achieved by a data program, programmed with a program code adapted for causing the iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to any of the preceding claims to execute the method according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein said data program comprises a program code readable on a computer of the control circuitry for providing the steps of: feeding the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid supply toward the induration zone; injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid by means of the oxygen injection device; heating the gaseous fluid by means of the heating device; and introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone by means of the gas introduction device for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite.

[0106] Feeding the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid supply toward the induration zone may be provided via the cooling zone.

[0107] The data program may comprise a program code readable on a computer of the control circuitry for providing the step of moving the oxidized iron containing agglomerates to the cooling zone from the induration zone.

[0108] The iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite may be applied to the agglomerates transportation device and may form a pellet bed that is transferred through the induration zone to the cooling zone.

[0109] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may be introduced into the pellet bed, moving through the induration zone.

[0110] In such way the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas can be fed through the entire pellet bed moving through the induration zone and the cooling zone, wherein efficient oxidizing of the iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite is achieved in a time saving manner.

[0111] There is thus provided that the entire pellet bed can be oxidized simultaneously, wherein the production rate can be increased at the same time as the iron oxide pelletizing configuration can be designed less bulky and / or shorter than prior art configurations.

[0112] In such way is achieved that the iron oxide pelletizing configuration promotes the design of a simplified configuration which, in turn requires less maintenance cost and service than prior art.

[0113] In such way there is provided complete oxidation of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates of the entire pellet bed moving through the induration zone and the cooling zone. In such way, the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas enhances the heat content of the agglomerates for effective induration.

[0114] In such way, the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas enhances the heat content of the indurated agglomerates leaving the induration zone, which enhancement of the heat content is provided in an optimal way.

[0115] The control circuitry may be adapted to control the heat content of the agglomerates to be as high as possible when leaving the induration zone for providing the highest oxidization rate of the magnetite as possible.

[0116] In such way, the oxygen of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas introduced into the pellet bed targets all magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates for providing complete oxidization of the magnetite.

[0117] In such way, the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas and the relatively high oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas enables complete oxidization of the magnetite in a cost-effective and environmental friendly manner.

[0118] Such complete oxidation of the iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite provides high quality of the produced oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0119] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may comprise about 20-40 volume % oxygen, preferably about 25-35 volume % oxygen, or about 40-60 volume % oxygen, preferably about 45-55 volume % oxygen, or about 60-80 volume % oxygen, preferably about 65-75 volume % oxygen, or about 80-100 volume % oxygen, preferably about 85-95 volume % oxygen.

[0120] In such way, effective oxidization is achieved by transforming magnetite (FesC ) material into hematite (Fe2Os) material. The chemical formula for this transformation

[0121] The induration zone may comprise a pre-heating zone and a firing zone, the gas introduction device may be arranged to the pre-heating zone for introduction of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the pre-heating zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating. The induration zone may comprise a pre-heating zone and a firing zone, the gas introduction device may be arranged to the firing zone for introduction of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the pre-heating zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating.

[0122] The induration zone further may comprise an after-firing zone, the gas introduction device may be arranged to the after-firing zone for introduction of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the after firing zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating.

[0123] The pre-heating zone and / or the firing zone and / or the after firing zone may be induration zones of a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0124] The induration zone may comprise a tempered pre-heating zone, a pre-heating zone, a kiln firing zone and a kiln discharge zone, wherein the gas introduction device may be arranged to the tempered pre-heating zone and / or to the pre-heating zone and / or to the kiln firing zone and / or to the kiln discharge zone, for introduction of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating.

[0125] The gas introduction device may be configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the tempered pre-heating zone and / or to the pre-heating zone and / or to the kiln firing zone and / or to the kiln discharge zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite into hematite.

[0126] The tempered pre-heating zone, the pre-heating zone, the kiln firing zone and / or the kiln discharge zone may be induration zones of a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0127] A kiln device of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise the firing zone.

[0128] The kiln device may comprise a rotary kiln encompassing the firing zone. The drying zone may comprise an up-draft drying zone and a down-draft drying zone, the gas introduction device is arranged to the down-draft drying zone for introduction of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating.

[0129] The gas introduction device of the induration zone may be adapted to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone for pre-heating the agglomerates and / or oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0130] The gas introduction device of the pre-heating zone may be adapted to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the pre-heating zone for pre-heating the dried agglomerates and / or for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0131] The gas introduction device of the firing device may be adapted to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the firing zone for sintering of the preheated agglomerates and / or for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0132] The gas introduction device of the cooling zone may be adapted to introduce the oxygen containing cooling gaseous fluid into the cooling zone for cooling down the indurated agglomerates and for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0133] The electrolysis unit may comprise a high temperature electrolysis unit.

[0134] Hydrogen produced by the electrolysis unit may be transferred to a direct reduction facility configured to reduce oxidized iron containing agglomerates by means of the hydrogen.

[0135] The feeding device may be configured to feed the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to the induration zone.

[0136] The gaseous fluid forming the oxygen injected gaseous fluid, fed from the cooling zone after cooling down the indurated agglomerates, may constitute the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas. The cooling zone may comprise a heat exchange device that is configured to recover heat from the indurated agglomerates and to heat the gaseous fluid and / or the oxygen injected gaseous fluid fed into the cooling zone.

[0137] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas partly may be formed by the heat exchange device by introducing the gaseous fluid into the cooling zone for cooling down the indurated agglomerates, wherein the gaseous fluid may be heated by the indurated agglomerates being cooled down, and / or partly may be formed by the oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the pre-heated gaseous fluid.

[0138] The oxygen injected gaseous fluid fed into the cooling zone may be provided for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite in the cooling zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0139] The oxygen injection device may be configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid after that the gaseous fluid has been heated by the heat exchange device of the cooling zone for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0140] The heated and oxygen enriched process gas utilized for increasing the oxidization rate may be fed from the induration zone and / or from the pre-heating zone and / or from the firing zone and / or from the tempered pre-heating zone in the form of exhaust gaseous fluid by means of an exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement.

[0141] The gaseous fluid supply may comprise the exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement configured to feed the exhaust gaseous fluid to the cooling zone of the cooler device.

[0142] The heating device may be configured to pre-heat the gaseous fluid before being mixed with the oxygen.

[0143] The heating device may be configured to pre-heat the oxygen before being mixed with the gaseous fluid. The gas mixer device may be arranged between the gas introduction device and the oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the pre-heated gaseous fluid.

[0144] The gas mixer device may be arranged to an oxygen containing gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement coupled between the gas introduction device and the oxygen injection device

[0145] The gas mixer device may comprise a mechanical gas mixer.

[0146] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may be formed by the heating the gaseous fluid by the heating device and subsequently formed by mixing the gaseous fluid with oxygen.

[0147] The cooler device may comprise the heating device (heat exchange device) configured to pre-heat the gaseous fluid injected with oxygen.

[0148] The oxygen injection device may be configured to add oxygen to follow the flow of the pre-heated gaseous fluid for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (e.g. to follow the flow of the pre-heated gaseous fluid from a kiln device of a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration).

[0149] The oxygen injection device may comprise an oxygen introduction nozzle adapted to add oxygen to the pre-heated gaseous fluid for providing the oxygen containing preheated process gas (e.g. an oxygen introduction nozzle of a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration).

[0150] The oxygen introduction nozzle may be electrically coupled to the control circuitry configured to control the amount of oxygen introduced by the oxygen introduction nozzle into the pre-heated gaseous fluid.

[0151] In such way is achieved that pellet densification, involving increase in pellet strength, is achieved by controlling the amount of oxygen in the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas. The control circuitry may be adapted to control the amount of oxygen mixed with the pre-heated gaseous fluid based on actual rate of oxygen diffusion into hematite crystal of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone.

[0152] In such way, the pellet densification, involving increase in pellet strength, is achieved by controlling the amount of oxygen introduced into the pre-heated gaseous fluid.

[0153] In such way, the pre-heated gaseous fluid mixed with the oxygen forms the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas used for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0154] The first oxygen containing gaseous fluid introduction member may be arranged to the oxygen injection device arranged to a pre-heating zone and may be configured to inject oxygen into the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0155] The second oxygen containing gaseous fluid introduction member may be arranged to a pellet transfer member (e.g. a chute member) configured to guide the agglomerates from the pre-heating zone to the firing zone of a kiln device.

[0156] The pre-heating device may be coupled to the kiln device via the pellet transfer member comprising a guide portion for guiding the agglomerates from the preheating zone to the kiln device.

[0157] The oxygen injection device of the guide portion may comprise the second oxygen containing gaseous fluid introduction member configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to the agglomerates for oxidizing the magnetite of the pre-heated agglomerates.

[0158] The first oxygen containing oxidation gas flow may be carried by the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates.

[0159] The second oxygen containing oxidation gas flow may be carried by the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas fed through the firing zone of a kiln device into the pre-heating zone. A pre-heating facility comprising the pre-heating zone may be configured to introduce the first oxygen containing oxidation gas flow into the pre-heating zone for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates and for increasing the rate of magnetite oxidation of the magnetite.

[0160] A pre-heating facility comprising the pre-heating zone may be configured to introduce the first oxygen containing oxidation gas flow into the tempered pre-heating zone and / or the firing zone and / or the kiln discharge zone of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration, for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates and for increasing the rate of magnetite oxidation of the magnetite.

[0161] A pre-heating facility comprising the pre-heating zone may be configured to introduce the first oxygen containing oxidation gas flow into the after-firing zone of the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration, for oxidizing the magnetite of the agglomerates and for increasing the rate of magnetite oxidation of the magnetite.

[0162] The firing zone may be coupled to the after-firing zone, positioned downstream the firing zone seen in the direction of the transportation of the agglomerates provided by the pellet transportation device configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone of the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration comprises the firing zone.

[0163] The firing zone may be coupled to the pre-heating zone, positioned upstream the firing zone seen in the direction of the transportation of the agglomerates provided by the pellet transportation device configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone of the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0164] The firing zone (of the kiln device) may be coupled to the pre-heating zone, positioned upstream the firing zone seen in in the direction of the transportation of the agglomerates provided by the pellet transportation device configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration. The pellet transportation device of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a first travelling grate device, a rotary kiln which is coupled to the preheating zone via a pellet transfer member (e.g. a chute member), and / or a kiln discharge apparatus comprising the kiln discharge zone coupled to the rotary kiln, a second travelling grate device of a cooler device coupled to the kiln discharge apparatus.

[0165] The pellet transportation device may be configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone, wherein the induration zone may comprise a rotary kiln, which may be configured to rotate around a central axis arranged leaning downward from the first travelling grate device to the second travelling grate device so that the iron oxide containing agglomerates moves along the rotary kiln from the first travelling grate device (via the pellet transfer member, e.g. a chute member) to the second travelling grate device when rotating.

[0166] Depending on the temperature level of the agglomerates subject to induration, the main part of the magnetite oxidizes to hematite already on the first travelling grate device, before being transferred into the kiln device via the pellet transfer member (e.g. a chute member).

[0167] The feeding device may be configured to feed the gaseous fluid from a gaseous fluid supply to the induration zone.

[0168] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration adapted to at least four embodiments: i) The gaseous fluid, such as cooling air containing e.g. 21 % oxygen, may be injected with oxygen by means of an oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid, subsequently the oxygen injected gaseous fluid is pre-heated by means of the heat exchanger of a heating device of the cooler device and fed into the induration zone via the firing zone of the kiln device. ii) The gaseous fluid (e.g. pre-heated by the heat exchanger) may be preheated by the firing zone of the kiln device, subsequently the pre-heated gaseous fluid is injected with oxygen via the pellet transfer member (e.g. a chute member) and fed further to the pre-heating zone. iii) The gaseous fluid (e.g. pre-heated by the heat exchanger) may be preheated by a heating device (e.g. a burner), subsequently the pre-heated gaseous fluid is injected with oxygen by means of an oxygen injection device and fed to the induration zone via an oxygen containing gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement. iv) The gaseous fluid, such as cooling air containing 21% oxygen, may be injected with oxygen by means of an oxygen injection device, subsequently the oxygen injected gaseous fluid is pre-heated by means of the heat exchanger of a heating device of the cooler device and fed into the induration zone by-passing the kiln device.

[0169] Alternatively, the iron oxide pelletizing configuration comprises a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration adapted to at least two embodiments: i) The gaseous fluid, such as cooling air containing 21 % oxygen, is injected with oxygen by means of an oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid, subsequently the oxygen injected gaseous fluid is pre-heated by means of the heat exchanger of a heating device of the cooler device and fed into the induration zone. ii) The gaseous fluid (e.g. pre-heated by the heat exchanger) is fed to a downcomer line arrangement comprising an oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid, subsequently the oxygen injected gaseous fluid is pre-heated by a heating device (e.g. a burner) of the downcomer line arrangement and fed into the induration zone. The gaseous fluid, used as cooling air for cooling the indurated agglomerates, may comprise oxygen to at least some extent.

[0170] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise an iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device configured to form the iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite.

[0171] The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device may comprise a crushing and separating device for providing a concentrated feed.

[0172] The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device may comprise a grinding device for grinding iron ore material.

[0173] The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device may comprise a sizing device configured to produce iron oxide containing agglomerates having a desired dimension.

[0174] The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device may comprise an iron ore containing pellet feed slurry producing device for production of an iron ore containing pellet feed slurry.

[0175] The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device may comprise a magnetic separation device configured to separate iron ore from the pellet feed slurry.

[0176] The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device may comprise a phosphorus concentration reduction device for reducing the phosphorus concentration of the iron ore material.

[0177] The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device comprise a dewatering device for reducing the moisture of the pellet feed slurry.

[0178] The dewatering device may comprise a rotating drum arrangement. The iron oxide containing agglomerates forming device may comprise a binder adding and balling device for balling the agglomerates for forming green agglomerates.

[0179] In such way is achieved that pellet densification, involving increase in pellet strength, is achieved by controlling the amount of oxygen in the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0180] The control circuitry may be adapted to control the amount of oxygen mixed with the pre-heated gaseous fluid based on actual rate of oxygen diffusion into hematite crystal of the agglomerates in the induration zone.

[0181] In such way pellet densification, involving increase in pellet strength, is achieved by controlling the amount of oxygen introduced into the pre-heated gaseous fluid for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0182] The method may comprise cooling down the indurated (oxidized and sintered) iron oxide containing agglomerates by passing the gaseous fluid via the cooling zone for cooling down the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0183] The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a set of downcomer lines, each individual downcomer line comprises an oxygen injection device arranged for injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid drawn down through the individual downcomer line.

[0184] The control circuitry may be adapted to control the temperature of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to be higher at the beginning of the induration zone (seen in the direction of travel of the iron oxide containing agglomerates) than at the end of the induration zone.

[0185] The control circuitry may be adapted to control the oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to be highest at the end of the induration zone in relation to the beginning of the induration zone. By providing higher oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas at the end of the induration zone it is achieved and guaranteed completed oxidization of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates also positioned in the bottom of the pellet bed.

[0186] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, the pellet bed will be heated. There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a high thermal energy, which combined with the high oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, provides an efficient oxidization of the magnetite.

[0187] A gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration may be provided to circulate the gaseous fluid and / or the oxygen containing preheated process gas through the cooling zone, passing the heating device, passing the oxygen injection device for injection with oxygen by the oxygen injection device for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, which is injected into the induration zone for complete oxidization of the magnetite, an exhaust gaseous fluid formed by passing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas through the iron ore containing pellet bed comprising the iron oxide containing agglomerates is fed further to an exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement.

[0188] The exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement may be adapted for feeding the exhaust gaseous fluid from the iron ore containing pellet bed to the cooling zone and / or a cleaning device for forming a gaseous fluid to be used for cooling the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0189] The exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement may comprise a first exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement configured to feed a first exhaust gaseous fluid from the preheating zone to a first cooling cell of the cooling zone by means of the feeding device.

[0190] The exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement may comprise a second exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement configured to feed a second exhaust gaseous fluid from a tempered pre-heating zone to a second cooling cell of the cooling zone by means of the feeding device. The wording “iron oxide” may be defined as an iron material comprising hematite and / or magnetite and / or wustite and / or other materials and / or compositions and / or minerals. The “iron oxide” may also be defined as an inorganic compound, such as hematite with the formula Fe2O3, wherein the iron oxide pelletizing configuration adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates is configured for production of iron oxide agglomerates comprising hematite.

[0191] The wording “oxidized iron” may be defined as an iron material that comprises hematite.

[0192] The hematite is defined to be completely oxidized and may be defined as an oxidized iron material that cannot receive further oxygen atoms.

[0193] The wording “iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite” may define an iron ore material that comprises magnetite that is subject to oxidization by means of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration adapted to oxidize the magnetite into hematite.

[0194] The wording “iron ore” may define an iron ore material comprising iron oxides (such as magnetite) and / or other minerals and / or gangue or other impurities.

[0195] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a drying zone of a drying device configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates charged into the iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0196] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise an induration device inter alia configured to oxidize and sinter the iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0197] The induration device may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite into the oxidized iron containing agglomerates wherein the magnetite has oxidized into hematite.

[0198] The induration device may comprise the drying zone configured for drying the iron oxide containing agglomerates. The iron oxide containing agglomerates (green pellets) comprise iron oxide material, such as magnetite.

[0199] The oxidized iron containing agglomerates produced by the iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise iron oxide material, such as hematite as a result of oxidisation of magnetite.

[0200] The induration device may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates for producing the oxidized iron containing agglomerates, wherein the heat treatment comprises oxidisation of magnetite into hematite and / or sintering of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0201] By means of the use of oxygen containing pre-heated process gas is provided a fossil free production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates, wherein the production is optimized in regard to lower fuel consumption, higher production rate, and high quality of the produced oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0202] Use of oil burners and use of carbon as fuel is no longer necessary.

[0203] The number of pre-heating zones preceding the firing zone / after firing zone (straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration) or the rotary kiln (grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration) may vary,

[0204] The number of pre-heating zones may be two, three, four, or more.

[0205] In such way is it possible to control the heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates and divide the total flow of oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into at least two flows of oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, wherein components for operation (such as pumps and lines) can be made less bulky and more adaptable to any specific operation requested for a certain production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0206] The heating device may comprise a hydrogen burner.

[0207] The hydrogen burner may be adapted to consume hydrogen as fuel for providing heat.

[0208] The hydrogen may be produced by an electrolysis unit also configured to produce oxygen; which oxygen is transferred to the oxygen injection device. The iron oxide containing agglomerates may be moved into the rotary kiln from the second pre-heating zone via a pellet transfer member (e.g. a chute member) (not shown).

[0209] The iron oxide containing agglomerates may be so called “green agglomerates” or “green iron oxide containing agglomerates” which are to be charged into the iron oxide pelletizing configuration.

[0210] The “green agglomerates” may be produced in a balling drum or pelletizing disc are too weak to withstand further transport handling to customers. Therefore, further processing at elevated temperatures (high-temperature processes) in the iron oxide pelletizing configuration is required to strengthen the agglomerates before the agglomerates are transported to the customer.

[0211] Firstly, the agglomerates are dried in the drying zone of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration. The drying zone may be divided in an up-draft zone and in a downdraft zone.

[0212] The drying zone may provide a temperature of about 100 -130 °C for drying the agglomerates.

[0213] Subsequently, the agglomerates may be indurated at high temperatures of about 1200 -1400 C for gaining necessary strength to survive said transport and iron making process operations.

[0214] The induration temperature and time required for induration depend on the mineralogy of the iron ore of the iron oxide containing agglomerates, as well as binder type and amount of the agglomerates.

[0215] Grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configurations and straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configurations may rely on carrying the agglomerates through a number of thermal zones by means of the agglomerates transportation device by moving a perforated grate and in the case of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configurations, the final stage of induration may occur in a rotary kiln. The induration zone configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates may comprise the cooling zone of the cooler device configured to cool down the oxidized agglomerates by means of the gaseous fluid.

[0216] The induration zones of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration may be defined to comprise one or more of the following zones drying zones; heating zones including pre-heating zones such as tempered pre-heating and preheating zones and firing zone (rotary kiln device) and / or cooling zones of the cooler device.

[0217] The induration zones of the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configurations may be defined to comprise drying zones; heating zones including pre-heating zones (preheating zones) and firing zones (firing and after firing zones) and / or cooling zones of the cooler device.

[0218] The wording “agglomerates” may be replaced by the wording “pellets”.

[0219] The gas mixer device may comprise a dynamic gas mixer and / or a static gas mixer device.

[0220] The oxygen injection device may be positioned downstream or upstream relatively the heating device seen in the flow direction of the gaseous fluid flow of the gaseous fluid fed from the gaseous fluid supply, for providing the oxygen containing preheated process gas to be fed into the induration zone (e.g. the pre-heating zone).

[0221] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration may comprise a gas mixer device or static gas mixer device configured to mix the oxygen - injected by means of the oxygen injection device - with the pre-heated gaseous fluid flow (pre-heated by means of the heating device) of the gaseous fluid fed from the gaseous fluid supply for forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0222] The heating device may comprise a gas burner (e.g. a hydrogen gas burner), an electrical heater, a plasma heater or other types of heaters etc. In such way is achieved that oxygen containing pre-heated process gas fed to the second pre-heating zone of the induration zone (i.e. the very last part of the preheating zone seen in the direction of the transportation of the agglomerates) in an effective way without being disturbed by the very high flow of process gas fed through the rotary kiln device.

[0223] This promotes effective oxidizing of the bottom layer of the iron oxide containing agglomerate bed moved in the very last part of the second pre-heating zone.

[0224] The moving iron oxide containing agglomerate bed in the machine upstream of the second pre-heating zone seen in direction of the transportation is heated and oxidised from above (from the top layer of the iron oxide containing agglomerate bed) toward the bottom layer of the iron oxide containing agglomerate bed. That is, in the very last part of the second pre-heating zone, the bottom layer of the iron oxide containing agglomerate bed has reached high temperature suitable for further oxidization and the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas led to the second preheating zone ensures that effective oxidization of the bottom layer of the iron oxide containing agglomerate bed is achieved in the second pre-heating zone.

[0225] The present disclosure or disclosures may not be restricted to the examples described above, but many possibilities to modifications, or combinations of the described examples thereof should be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the basic idea as defined in the appended claims.

[0226] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0227] The present invention will now be described by way of examples with references to the accompanying schematic drawings, of which:

[0228] Fig. 1 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to a first example;

[0229] Fig. 2 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 according to a second example; Fig. 3 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 according to a third example;

[0230] Figs. 4a-4d illustrate an iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to further examples;

[0231] Figs. 4e-4f illustrate an iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to further examples;

[0232] Figs. 5a-5c illustrates further examples of an ore oxide pelletizing configuration;

[0233] Fig. 6 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to a further example;

[0234] Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart showing an exemplary method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates;

[0235] Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart showing an exemplary method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates;

[0236] Fig. 9 illustrates a control circuitry of an iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to a further example;

[0237] Fig. 10 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to a further example;

[0238] Fig. 11 shows a schematic drawing of a static gas mixer; and

[0239] Fig. 12 shows a preferred example of positioning a gas mixer device

[0240] DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein for the sake of clarity and understanding of the invention some details of no importance may be deleted from the drawings.

[0241] Fig. 1 illustrates iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 comprising magnetite. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 comprises a drying zone 7 of a drying device DD configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 charged into the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 . The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further comprises an induration zone 8 of an induration device ID configured inter alia to oxidize and sinter the iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0242] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further comprises a cooling zone 13 of a cooler device 14 configured to cool down the oxidized iron containing agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid FL fed from a gaseous fluid supply 12.

[0243] The induration device ID may comprise the drying zone 7.

[0244] The induration device ID may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2.

[0245] The iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 may comprise iron oxide material, such as magnetite.

[0246] The oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 produced by the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise iron oxide material, such as hematite.

[0247] The induration device ID may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 for producing the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3.

[0248] The induration device ID may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 for producing the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3, wherein the heat treatment comprises oxidisation of magnetite into hematite.

[0249] An agglomerates transportation device 6 may be configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone 7 to the cooling zone 13 via the induration zone 8. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further comprises a control circuitry 50 adapted to control the production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3.

[0250] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further comprises a feeding device 18, such as a pump, configured to feed the gaseous fluid FL from the gaseous fluid supply 12 to an oxygen injection device 10 configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid FL.

[0251] A heating device 16 of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 is configured for heating the gaseous fluid FL for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0252] The heating device 16 may comprise a hydrogen burner and may be positioned after said oxygen injection device 10 seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid FL.

[0253] The heating device 16 may be arranged to the cooler device 14 and may comprise a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the oxidized iron containing agglomerates subject to cooling to the gaseous fluid.

[0254] The heating device 16 may comprise a hydrogen burner and may be positioned before said oxygen injection device

[0255] A gas introduction device 15 of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 into the induration zone 8 for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0256] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17, the pellet bed will be heated by the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 and by the thermal process developed by oxidization of the magnetite. There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a higher thermal energy than prior art, which in turn promotes an energy efficient production of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 and improves the quality of the produced oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0257] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 may be set to exhibit a temperature set by means of the heating device 16 and / or flow rate set by the feeding device 18, for causing the iron oxide containing agglomerates subjected to be oxidized (and / or sintered) to exhibit a temperature of; about 700°C - 900°C, preferably about 750°C - 850°C; or about 750°C - 950°C, preferably about 800°C - 900°C; or about 800°C - 1000°C, preferably about 850°C - 950°C; or about 850°C - 1050°C, preferably about 900°C - 1000°C; or about 900°C - 1100°C, preferably about 950°C - 1050°C; or about 950°C - 1150°C, preferably about 1000°C - 1100°C; or about 1000°C - 1200°C, preferably about 1050°C - 1150°C; or about 1050°C - 1250°C, preferably about 1100°C - 1200°C; or about 1100°C - 1300°C, preferably about 1150°C - 1250°C.

[0258] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 there is provided higher oxidation rate of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates versus prior art configurations.

[0259] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 may be set by means of the oxygen injection device 10 to comprise; about 30-50vol% oxygen, preferably about 33-47vol% oxygen; or about 40-60vol% oxygen, preferably about 43-57vol% oxygen; or about 50-70vol% oxygen, preferably about 53-67vol% oxygen; or about 60-80vol% oxygen, preferably about 63-77vol% oxygen; or about 70-90vol% oxygen, preferably about 73-87vol% oxygen; or about 80-100vol% oxygen, preferably about 83-97vol% oxygen.

[0260] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17, the pellet bed will be heated. There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a high thermal energy, which combined with the high oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17, provides an energy efficient oxidization of the magnetite.

[0261] In such way is achieved that the production rate can be increased due to a more energy effective process at the same time as the quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3.

[0262] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise a gas mixer device (not shown) configured to mix oxygen, injected by the oxygen injection device 10, with the pre-heated gaseous fluid FL forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0263] The gas mixer device may be electrically coupled to the control circuitry 50 adapted to control the mixing of oxygen mixed with the pre-heated gaseous fluid for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0264] A control circuitry 50 of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 and is adapted to control the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid, based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to an oxygen concentration sensor arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid and / or gaseous fluid.

[0265] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid FL based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to a temperature sensor arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the temperature of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8.

[0266] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid FL based on actual rate of oxygen diffusion into hematite crystal of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to a hematite crystal detection arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the hematite crystal structure of the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates discharged from the induration zone 8.

[0267] The heating device 16 of the cooling zone 13 may be positioned upstream (seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid flow) the oxygen injection device 10 and the gas mixer device M’, wherein the oxygen injection device 10 is positioned between the gas mixer device M’ and the heating device 16.

[0268] Fig. 2 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 according to a second example which is designed as a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK.

[0269] The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK may comprise a drying zone 7 of a drying device DD of an induration device ID of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 . The drying zone 7 of the drying device DD may configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2.

[0270] The iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 may be applied onto a pellet transportation device 6 (such as a travelling grate or a continuous grate) for forming a pellet bed thereon.

[0271] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further comprises an induration zone 8 of the induration device ID inter alia configured to further indurate (e.g. oxidize and sinter) the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2. The induration zone 8 may comprise the drying zone 7 and a tempered pre-heating zone TPH.

[0272] The drying device DD is further configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 charged into the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK.

[0273] The induration device ID may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 and / or to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2.

[0274] The iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 may comprise iron oxide material, such as magnetite. The oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 produced by the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise iron oxide material, such as hematite.

[0275] The induration device ID may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 for producing the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3.

[0276] The induration device ID may be configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 for producing the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3, wherein the heat treatment comprises oxidisation of magnetite into hematite.

[0277] After passing the drying zone 7, the dried agglomerates are fed into the tempered pre-heating zone TPH of the induration device ID.

[0278] The tempered pre-heating zone TPH is heated by heat recovered from a cooler device 14 via a process gas line (not shown).

[0279] After passing the tempered pre-heating zone TPH, the pre-heated agglomerates are fed into a first pre-heating zone PH1 of the induration zone 8 of the of the induration device ID.

[0280] The first pre-heating zone PH1 is fed with a first gaseous fluid FL1 which has been heated by a first heater 16’ (e.g. hydrogen burner) and subsequently injected with oxygen by means of a first oxygen injection device 10’.

[0281] The first heater 16’ may be a burner device and / or a heat exchanger, configured to heat the first gaseous fluid FL1 . The first oxygen injection device 10’ makes use of e.g. an oxygen introduction nozzle (not shown) adapted to add oxygen to the preheated first gaseous fluid FL1 for providing a first oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’ to be introduced into the first pre-heating zone PH1 .

[0282] By means of the first oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’ introduced into the first pre-heating zone PH1 by means of a first gas introduction device 15’, the pre-heated agglomerates will be further heated.

[0283] There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will be provided with high thermal energy in the first pre-heating zone PH1 , which combined with the high oxygen content of the first oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’ provides an energy efficient oxidization of the magnetite. The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK further comprises a first feeding device 18’, such as a pump, configured to feed the first gaseous fluid FL1 from a gaseous fluid supply 12 to the first oxygen injection device 10’ configured to inject oxygen into the first gaseous fluid FL1 . The gaseous fluid supply 12 may comprise an air inlet configured to provide atmospheric air to the first gaseous fluid FL1 . The first gaseous fluid FL1 may be firstly pre-heated by the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 passing through the cooler device 14.

[0284] The first gas introduction device 15’ may comprise a first oxygen containing preheated process gas introduction member FM1 configured to provide the first oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’ into the first pre-heating zone PH1 .

[0285] After passing the first pre-heating zone PH1 , the further pre-heated agglomerates are fed into a second pre-heating zone PH2 of the induration zone 8 of the of the induration device ID.

[0286] The second pre-heating zone PH2 is fed with a second gaseous fluid FL2, which has been heated by a second heater 16” (e.g. hydrogen burner) and subsequently injected with oxygen by means of a second oxygen injection device 10”.

[0287] The second heater 16” may be a burner device and / or a heat exchanger, configured to heat the second gaseous fluid FL2. The second oxygen injection device 10” makes use of e.g. an oxygen introduction nozzle (not shown) adapted to add oxygen to the pre-heated second gaseous fluid FL2 for providing a second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” to be introduced into the second pre-heating zone PH2.

[0288] By means of the second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” introduced into the second pre-heating zone PH2 by means of a second gas introduction device 15”, the pre-heated agglomerates will be further heated.

[0289] There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will be provided with high thermal energy in the second pre-heating zone PH2, which combined with the high oxygen content of the second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” provides an energy efficient oxidization of the magnetite. The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK further comprises a second feeding device 18”, such as a pump, configured to feed the second gaseous fluid FL2 from the gaseous fluid supply 12 to the second oxygen injection device 10” configured to inject oxygen into the second gaseous fluid FL2. The gaseous fluid supply 12 may comprise the air inlet (not shown) configured to provide atmospheric air to the second gaseous fluid FL1 . The second gaseous fluid FL1 may be firstly preheated by the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 passing through the cooler device 14.

[0290] The second gas introduction device 15” may comprise a second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas introduction member FM2 configured to provide the second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” into the second pre-heating zone PH2.

[0291] The induration zone 8 configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates may further comprise a rotary kiln RK configured for sintering the heat treated agglomerates.

[0292] The rotary kiln RK comprises a firing zone 11 , which may be provided to sinter the oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0293] The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK further comprises a cooling zone 13 of the cooler device 14 configured to cool down the heat treated iron containing agglomerates by means of gaseous fluid (inter alia first FL1 and second gaseous fluid FL1 )

[0294] The pellet transportation device 6 of the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK comprises a first travelling grate TG1 arranged to move the iron oxide containing agglomerates through the drying zone 7, the tempered pre-heating zone TPH and the first PH1 and the second pre-heating zones PH2.

[0295] The iron oxide containing agglomerates are moved into the rotary kiln RK from the second pre-heating zone PH2 via a pellet transfer member (e.g. a chute member) (not shown). The induration zone 8 may comprise a kiln discharge apparatus (not shown) comprising a kiln discharge zone (not shown). A second travelling grate TG2 of the cooler device 14 is coupled to the kiln discharge apparatus and is configured to move the heat treated iron oxide containing agglomerates through the cooler device 14.

[0296] The induration may be defined as a process inter alia provided to oxidize and sinter and / or provided to heat treat the iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0297] The sintering mainly may take place in the rotary kiln RK for increasing the strength and metallurgical properties of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0298] The rotary kiln RK may comprise a large, cylindrical and rotating oven with a burner device (not shown) in one end producing a diffusion flame providing the necessary heat throughout the rotary kiln RK for said sintering and also may provide heat to the second pre-heating zone PH2.

[0299] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” may be controlled by the control circuitry to exhibit a temperature set by means of the heating device 16 and / or flow rate set by the feeding device 18, for causing the iron oxide containing agglomerates subjected to be further heat treated (inter alia oxidized and / or sintered) to exhibit a temperature of; about 700°C - 900°C, preferably about 750°C - 850°C; or about 750°C - 950°C, preferably about 800°C - 900°C; or about 800°C - 1000°C, preferably about 850°C - 950°C; or about 850°C - 1050°C, preferably about 900°C - 1000°C; or about 900°C - 1100°C, preferably about 950°C - 1050°C; or about 950°C - 1150°C, preferably about 1000°C - 1100°C; or about 1000°C - 1200°C, preferably about 1050°C - 1150°C; or about 1050°C - 1250°C, preferably about 1100°C - 1200°C; or about 1100°C - 1300°C, preferably about 1150°C - 1250°C.

[0300] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” there is provided higher oxidation rate of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates versus prior art configurations. The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” may be controlled to comprise a desired content of oxygen by means of the control circuitry coupled to the first and second oxygen injection device for controlling the oxygen injection device to regulated the amount of oxygen fed into the gaseous fluid, wherein the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” may comprise; about 21-40vol% oxygen, preferably about 23-37vol% oxygen; or about 30-50vol% oxygen, preferably about 33-47vol% oxygen; or about 40-60vol% oxygen, preferably about 43-57vol% oxygen; or about 50-70vol% oxygen, preferably about 53-67vol% oxygen; or about 60-80vol% oxygen, preferably about 63-77vol% oxygen; or about 70-90vol% oxygen, preferably about 73-87vol% oxygen; or about 80-100vol% oxygen, preferably about 83-97vol% oxygen.

[0301] In such way is achieved that the production rate can be increased due to a more energy effective process by the higher amount of oxygen in the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” at the same time as the quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 is enhanced in relation to prior art.

[0302] The respective first and second oxygen injection device 10’, 10” may be positioned downstream the heating device 16, seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid flow of the first FL1 and second gaseous fluid FL2 fed from the gaseous fluid supply 12, for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” to be fed into the induration zone 8.

[0303] In such way is achieved cost-efficient oxidizing of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of increasing the rate of magnetite oxidation of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0304] By optimizing the temperature level of the first and / or second oxygen containing preheated process gas and / or by optimizing the oxygen level of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, there is achieved effective oxidization of magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject to heat treatment into hematite. In such way, by the effective oxidization of magnetite into hematite, heat is generated in the induration zone which saves energy for the production at the same time as the effective oxidization provides high quality of the produced iron oxide containing agglomerates and provides time effective production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0305] By higher temperature of the first and / or second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas, the lesser oxygen concentration of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas may be needed for effective production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0306] The main part of the magnetite may oxidize to hematite in the first PH1 and the second pre-heating zone PH2.

[0307] In such way, the induration zone 8, fed with the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17”, provides enhancement of the oxidization rate of the magnetite.

[0308] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further may comprise a control circuitry 50 adapted to control the oxygen content and the thermal energy and / or temperature of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17”.

[0309] The control circuitry 50 of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 and is adapted to control the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid, based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone 8.

[0310] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to an oxygen concentration sensor arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid and / or gaseous fluid.

[0311] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the first and second gaseous fluid based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to a temperature sensor arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the temperature of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8.

[0312] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the first and second gaseous fluid based on actual rate of oxygen diffusion into hematite crystal of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8.

[0313] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to a hematite crystal detection arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the hematite crystal structure of the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates discharged from the induration zone 8.

[0314] A gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement TL of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise the feeding device 18’, 18” (comprising e.g. an electrical air pump, a rotary gaseous fluid displacement pump, a high volume suction pump, a cooling air fan, an exhaust fan, a rotary vacuum pump etc.), and coupled for gaseous fluid communication with the gaseous fluid supply 12.

[0315] An exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement ETL may be adapted for providing exhaust gaseous fluid EF fed to the oxygen injection device via the heating device for forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0316] The exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement ETL may comprise a first exhaust gaseous fluid line arrangement configured to feed a first exhaust gaseous fluid from the first pre-heating zone PH1 to a first cooling cell (not shown) of the cooling zone 13 by means of the first feeding device 18’.

[0317] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise a gas mixer device (not shown) configured to mix oxygen, injected by the respective oxygen injection device, with the pre-heated gaseous fluid forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0318] The first heater 16’ may be positioned upstream (seen in the flow direction FD of the first gaseous fluid FL1 ) relatively to the first oxygen injection device 10’ and relatively to a gas mixer device Md, wherein the first oxygen injection device 10’ is positioned between the first gas mixer device Md and the first heater 16’.

[0319] The second heater 16” may be positioned upstream (seen in the flow direction of the second gaseous fluid FL2) relatively to the second oxygen injection device 10” and relatively to a gas mixer device Me, wherein the second oxygen injection device 10” is positioned between the second gas mixer device Me and the first heater 16’. Fig. 3 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 according to a second example, which iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 is designed as a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG.

[0320] The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG comprises a drying zone 7 of a drying device DD of an induration zone 8, which drying device DD is configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 charged into the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG.

[0321] The induration zone 8 of the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG further comprises a pre-heating zone PH, a firing zone F and an after-firing zone AF.

[0322] The dried iron oxide containing agglomerates are moved into the pre-heating zone PH and subsequently into the firing zone F and thereafter into the after-firing zone AF.

[0323] The iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 are moved through the induration zone 8 by means of a pellet transportation device 6.

[0324] The induration zone 8 is configured to provide heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2.

[0325] The pre-heating zone PH may be used for oxidization of the dried iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0326] The firing zone F may be used for oxidization of the pre-heated iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0327] The after-firing zone AF may be used for sintering of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates. The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG further comprises a cooling zone 13 configured to cool down the heat-treated iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid FL fed from a gaseous fluid supply 12.

[0328] The straight grate iron ore oxide pelletizing configuration SG further comprises a feeding device 18, such as a pump, configured to feed the gaseous fluid FL from the gaseous fluid supply 12 via the cooling zone 13 to an oxygen injection device 10 configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid FL.

[0329] The oxygen injection device 10 may be positioned downstream and / or upstream the cooling zone 13.

[0330] A heating device 16 is arranged to heat the gaseous fluid FL injected with oxygen for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17”. The heating device 16 may be positioned downstream the oxygen injection device 10 seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid flow of the gaseous fluid FL fed from the gaseous fluid supply 12.

[0331] The feeding device 18 is provided for feeding the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” into the pre-heating zone PH and into the firing zone F.

[0332] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” there is provided higher oxidation rate of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates.

[0333] The iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 may be applied onto the pellet transportation device 6 (comprising e.g. pallet cars, rooster carriers etc.) for forming a pellet bed thereon.

[0334] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17”, the pellet bed will be heated. There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a high thermal energy, which combined with the high oxygen content of the oxygen containing preheated process gas 17’, 17”, provides an energy efficient oxidization of the magnetite. The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” may be set to exhibit a temperature set by means of the heating device 16 and / or flow rate set by the feeding device 18, for causing the iron oxide containing agglomerates subjected to be oxidized (and / or sintered) to exhibit a temperature of; about 700°C - 900°C, preferably about 750°C - 850°C; or about 750°C - 950°C, preferably about 800°C - 900°C; or about 800°C - 1000°C, preferably about 850°C - 950°C; or about 850°C - 1050°C, preferably about 900°C - 1000°C; or about 900°C - 1100°C, preferably about 950°C - 1050°C; or about 950°C - 1150°C, preferably about 1000°C - 1100°C; or about 1000°C - 1200°C, preferably about 1050°C - 1150°C; or about 1050°C - 1250°C, preferably about 1100°C - 1200°C; or about 1100°C - 1300°C, preferably about 1150°C - 1250°C.

[0335] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” there is provided higher oxidation rate of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates versus prior art configurations.

[0336] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” may be set by means of the oxygen injection device 10 to comprise; about 30-50vol% oxygen, preferably about 33-47vol% oxygen; or about 40-60vol% oxygen, preferably about 43-57vol% oxygen; or about 50-70vol% oxygen, preferably about 53-67vol% oxygen; or about 60-80vol% oxygen, preferably about 63-77vol% oxygen; or about 70-90vol% oxygen, preferably about 73-87vol% oxygen; or about 80-100vol% oxygen, preferably about 83-97vol% oxygen.

[0337] In such way is achieved that the production rate can be increased due to a more energy effective process at the same time as the quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3. The oxygen injection device 10 may be positioned upstream the heating device 16, seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid flow of the gaseous fluid FL fed from the gaseous fluid supply 12, for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17” to be fed into the induration zone 8.

[0338] In such way is achieved that the production rate can be increased due to a more energy effective process at the same time as the quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3.

[0339] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further may comprise a control circuitry 50 adapted to control the oxygen content and the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’, 17”.

[0340] The control circuitry 50 of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 and is adapted to control the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid, based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to an oxygen concentration sensor arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid and / or gaseous fluid.

[0341] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid FL based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to a temperature sensor arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the temperature of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8.

[0342] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device 10 for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid FL based on actual rate of oxygen diffusion into hematite crystal of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to a hematite crystal detection arrangement (not shown) configured to detect the hematite crystal structure of the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates discharged from the induration zone 8.

[0343] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise at least one gas mixer device M’” electrically coupled to the control circuitry 50 and configured to mix oxygen, injected by the oxygen injection device 10, with the pre-heated gaseous fluid FL in purpose to form the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0344] The heating device 16 may be positioned upstream (seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid FL) relatively the at least one gas mixer device M’” and positioned between the at least one gas mixer device M’” and the oxygen injection device 10.

[0345] Figs. 4a-4c illustrate an iron oxide pelletizing configuration according to further examples.

[0346] Fig. 4a illustrates a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK according to a further example. The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK comprises a drying zone 7 configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 charged into the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK.

[0347] The dried iron oxide containing agglomerates are moved into a tempered pre-heating zone of an induration zone 8 and further into a pre-heating zone by means of a pellet transportation device 6 and further to a rotary kiln RK. The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK further comprises a cooling zone 13 configured to cool down the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid FL fed by a pump 18 from a gaseous fluid supply 12.

[0348] A first oxygen injection device 10’ may be configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid FL, subsequently the gaseous fluid FL is heated by a heating device 16’ (e.g. a heat exchanger) of the cooling zone 13 and further through the rotary kiln RK further heating the gaseous fluid thus forming an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17. The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 targets the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject to oxidation in the pre-heating zone via the gas introduction device 15 (e.g. the transition between the pre-heating zone and the rotary kiln RK via a chute (not shown).

[0349] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 may be provided to contain thermal energy by means of a heating device 16” (e.g. a hydrogen burner) of the rotary kiln RK.

[0350] The gaseous fluid FL injected with oxygen (e.g. firstly pre-heated by the heat exchanger of the cooling zone 13) may be pre-heated by the firing zone of the rotary kiln RK, and additional oxygen may be injected into the iron oxide containing agglomerates via the pellet transfer member (e.g. a chute member) (not shown) between the pre-heating zone and the rotary kiln RK by means of a second oxygen injection device 10”.

[0351] The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK may comprise a discharge arrangement 19 of the agglomerates transportation device 6 configured to discharge the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 from the cooling zone 13.

[0352] A gas mixer device (not shown) may be positioned downstream the first oxygen injection device 10’ and the heating device 16’.

[0353] Fig. 4b illustrates a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 according to a further example. The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK comprises a drying zone 7 configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 charged into the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK. The iron oxide containing agglomerates are moved into a tempered pre-heating zone (not shown) of an induration zone 8 and further into a pre-heating zone and further to a rotary kiln RK.

[0354] An oxygen containing gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement OA is provided to transfer a gaseous fluid FL from a gaseous fluid supply 12, wherein feeding is made by means of a pump 18, via a heater 16’” of the cooling zone 13 to an oxygen injection device 10”’ for injection with oxygen (thus forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17).

[0355] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 targets the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject to oxidation in the pre-heating zone via a gas introduction device 15 (such as nozzles).

[0356] A gas mixer M”” may be positioned downstream the oxygen injection device 10”’ and the heater 16’”.

[0357] Fig. 4c illustrates a grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK according to a further example. The grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK comprises a drying zone 7 configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 charged into the grate kiln iron oxide pelletizing configuration GK. The dried iron oxide containing agglomerates are moved into a tempered pre-heating zone and further into a pre-heating zone PH for oxidization of the iron oxide containing agglomerates and further into a rotary kiln RK for sintering of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates.

[0358] An oxygen containing gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement OA is provided to transfer a gaseous fluid FL to a heater 16”” (such as a hydrogen burner configured to heat the gaseous fluid), which gaseous fluid subsequently being injected with oxygen by means of an oxygen injection device 10”” (thus forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17). The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 targets the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject to oxidation in the pre-heating zone PH via a gas introduction device 15 (such as nozzles).

[0359] A control circuitry (not shown) is electrically coupled to a gas mixer device M configured to mix the oxygen with the pre-heated gaseous fluid FL, which oxygen being injected by means of the oxygen injection device 10”” into the pre-heated gaseous fluid FL. The mixing is based on desired oxygen / air mixing ratio of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 fed into the tempered pre-heating zone and into the pre-heating zone PH. The gas mixer M”” may be positioned downstream the oxygen injection device 10”” and the heater 16””.

[0360] The heating device 16 may be positioned upstream (seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid FL) relatively the at least one gas mixer device M’” and positioned between the at least one gas mixer device M’” and the oxygen injection device 10.

[0361] The control circuitry may be electrically coupled to an oxygen / air mixing ratio sensing arrangement of the pre-heating zone PH.

[0362] Fig. 4d illustrates a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG according to a further example provided for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 comprising magnetite. The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG comprises a drying zone 7 configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2. An induration zone 8 is configured to indurate (oxidize and sinter) the iron oxide containing agglomerates. A cooling zone 13 is configured to cool down the oxidized (indurated) iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid FL fed from a gaseous fluid supply 12 by means of a pump 18. The gaseous fluid FL is injected with oxygen by means of an oxygen injection device 10””’ before the gaseous fluid cools down the oxidized (indurated) iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of the cooling zone 13. Subsequently, the gaseous fluid injected with oxygen is heated by means of a heater 16””’ (such as a heat exchanger of the cooling zone) for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0363] The heater 16’”” and the oxygen injection device 10’”” may be positioned upstream (seen in the flow direction of the gaseous fluid FL) relatively a mixer device M””.

[0364] Fig. 4e illustrates a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG according to a further example provided for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 comprising magnetite. The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG comprises a drying zone 7 configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2. An induration zone 8 is configured to indurate (oxidize and sinter) the iron oxide containing agglomerates. A cooling zone 13 of a cooler device 14 configured to cool down the oxidized (indurated) iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid FL fed from a gaseous fluid supply 12 by means of a pump 18.

[0365] An agglomerates transportation device 6 is configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone 7 to the cooling zone 13 via the induration zone 8.

[0366] The gaseous fluid FL is fed into the induration zone subsequently being injected with oxygen by means of an oxygen injection device 10”””.

[0367] Subsequently, the gaseous fluid injected with oxygen is heated by means of a heater 16””” for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0368] A gas introduction device 15 of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 into the induration zone 8 for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject to induration.

[0369] By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17, the pellet bed will be heated by the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 and by the thermal process developed by oxidization of the magnetite. There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a higher thermal energy than prior art, which in turn promotes an energy efficient production of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 and furthermore improves the quality of the produced oxidized iron containing agglomerates. By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17, the pellet bed will be heated. There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will have a high thermal energy, which combined with the high oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17, provides an energy efficient oxidization of the magnetite. In such way is achieved that the production rate can be increased due to a more energy effective process at the same time as the quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3.

[0370] A gas mixer (not shown) may be positioned downstream the oxygen injection device 10””” and the heater 16”””.

[0371] Fig. 5a illustrates a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG according to a further example in a perspective view. The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG comprises a drying zone 7 configured to dry the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 charged into the straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG and comprises an induration zone 8. The induration zone 8 comprises a pre-heating zone, a firing zone and an after-firing zone (not shown). The dried iron oxide containing agglomerates are moved into the pre-heating zone and subsequently into the firing zone and thereafter into the after-firing zone. The induration zone 8 is configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates. The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG further comprises a cooling zone 13 configured to cool down the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid FL fed from a gaseous fluid supply (not shown). A set of oxygen injection devices 10 is configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid FL. The set of oxygen injection devices is arranged in a set of downcomer lines DC of a downcomer line arrangement DLA, wherein each oxygen injection device 10 is arranged to an individual downcomer line DC for injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid FL drawn down through the individual downcomer line DC.

[0372] Each individual downcomer line DC further comprises a heating device 16 (such as a burner device, e.g. a hydrogen burner) for heating the gaseous fluid FL injected with oxygen. The gaseous fluid FL is thus (e.g. partly) divided and fed into each individual downcomer line DC to form an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8. The gaseous fluid FL drawn through the downcomer line arrangement is thus firstly injected with oxygen by means of the set of oxygen injection devices 10 and thereafter heated by the heating device 16 of each individual downcomer line DC for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17. Alternatively, the gaseous fluid FL drawn through the downcomer line arrangement may firstly be heated by the heating device 16 of each individual downcomer line DC and thereafter injected with oxygen by means of the set of oxygen injection devices for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0373] A respective gas mixer (not shown) may be positioned downstream each pair of oxygen injection device 10 and heating device 16.

[0374] Fig. 5b illustrates a straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG according to a further example in a schematic view from the side. Reference numbers may be found in Fig. 5a correspondingly. The straight grate iron oxide pelletizing configuration SG comprises a drying zone 7, an induration zone 8 and a cooling zone 13. A set of oxygen injection devices 10 is configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid FL. The set of oxygen injection devices is arranged in a set of downcomer lines DC of a downcomer line arrangement, wherein each oxygen injection device 10 is arranged to an individual downcomer line DC for injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid FL drawn down through the individual downcomer line DC.

[0375] Each individual downcomer line DC further comprises a heating device 16 (such as a burner device, e.g. a hydrogen burner) for heating the gaseous fluid FL injected with oxygen. The gaseous fluid FL is fed into each individual downcomer line DC to form an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone 8. An agglomerates transportation device 6 (e.g. a fire proof conveyer belt) is configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone 7 to the cooling zone 13 via the induration zone 8.

[0376] A control circuitry 50 is electrically coupled to the respective oxygen injection device 10 and to the respective heating device 16 for controlling the amount of oxygen of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 and the thermal energy of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17.

[0377] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 provided by each individual downcomer line DC may be controlled by the control circuitry 50 to exhibit a temperature (thermal heat) set by means of the heating device 16 and / or flow rate set by the feeding device 18, for causing the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject oxidization (and / or sintered) to exhibit a temperature of; about 700°C - 900°C, preferably about 750°C - 850°C; or about 750°C - 950°C, preferably about 800°C - 900°C; or about 800°C - 1000°C, preferably about 850°C - 950°C; or about 850°C - 1050°C, preferably about 900°C - 1000°C; or about 900°C - 1100°C, preferably about 950°C - 1050°C; or about 950°C - 1150°C, preferably about 1000°C - 1100°C; or about 1000°C - 1200°C, preferably about 1050°C - 1150°C; or about 1050°C - 1250°C, preferably about 1100°C - 1200°C; or about 1100°C - 1300°C, preferably about 1150°C - 1250°C.

[0378] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 exiting each individual downcomer line DC may be controlled by the control circuitry 50 to comprise a desired content of oxygen by controlling the respective oxygen injection device 10 in each individual downcomer line DC and / or controlling the flow rate set by the feeding device 18.

[0379] The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 at each individual exit of respective downcomer line DC may be controlled to comprise; about 21-40vol% oxygen, preferably about 23-37vol% oxygen; or about 30-50vol% oxygen, preferably about 33-47vol% oxygen; or about 40-60vol% oxygen, preferably about 43-57vol% oxygen; or about 50-70vol% oxygen, preferably about 53-67vol% oxygen; or about 60-80vol% oxygen, preferably about 63-77vol% oxygen; or about 70-90vol% oxygen, preferably about 73-87vol% oxygen; or about 80-100vol% oxygen, preferably about 83-97vol% oxygen.

[0380] In such way is achieved that the production rate can be increased due to a more energy effective process by the higher amount of oxygen in the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas at the same time as the quality of the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 is enhanced in relation to prior art. By means of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 there is provided higher oxidation rate of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates versus prior art configurations.

[0381] A respective gas mixer (not shown) may be positioned downstream each pair of oxygen injection device 10 and heating device 16.

[0382] Fig. 5c illustrates control of oxygen content OC and temperature T of the formed oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 at different sections A, B, C, D, E of the induration zone 8 (also exemplary shown in Fig. 5b).

[0383] By means of the control circuitry 50 there is provided an effective oxidization of the iron oxide containing agglomerates by individually controlling the oxygen content OC and the temperature T of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17 exiting each individual downcomer line DC at said sections A, B, C, D, E.

[0384] The control circuitry 50 may be adapted to provide any desired temperature / oxygen content along the induration zone. In Fig. 5 c is shown that the control circuitry 50 controls the temperature of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to be set higher at the beginning of the induration zone than at the end of the induration zone.

[0385] In Fig. 5c is shown that the control circuitry 50 controls the oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to be e.g. highest at the end of the induration zone in relation to the beginning of the induration zone.

[0386] By providing higher oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas at the end of the induration zone it is achieved and guaranteed completed oxidization of the magnetite of the iron oxide containing agglomerates also positioned in the bottom of the pellet bed.

[0387] Fig. 6 illustrates an iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 according to a further example. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 comprises an electrolysis unit 65 (such as a HTE High temperature electrolysis unit) configured to produce oxygen 02 and hydrogen H2. The electrolysis unit 65 is fed with water 68 and uses electricity 66, such as renewable electric energy, for splitting the hydrogen into oxygen and hydrogen. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 comprises an oxygen storage arrangement 60 and a hydrogen storage arrangement 61 . The oxygen 02 is transferred via the oxygen storage arrangement 60 to an oxygen injection device (not shown) to be injected into a gaseous fluid circulated (not shown) in the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 for cooling and carrying the oxygen and for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (not shown) for efficient oxidization of iron oxide containing agglomerates. The hydrogen H2 is transferred via the hydrogen storage arrangement 61 to a hydrogen burner device of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 . The hydrogen burner device (not shown) is adapted to heat the gaseous fluid for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0388] Alternatively, hydrogen H2 is also fed from the hydrogen storage arrangement 61 into a direct reduction facility 67 configured to reduce the oxidized iron containing agglomerates discharged from the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 and charged into the direct reduction facility 67. The direct reduction facility 67 is configured reduce the oxidized iron containing agglomerates by means of the hydrogen H2 for production of reduced iron ore (sponge iron).

[0389] Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart showing an exemplary method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates comprising magnetite by means of an exemplary iron oxide pelletizing configuration, adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates comprising magnetite; the iron oxide pelletizing configuration comprises; a drying zone configured to dry the agglomerates; an induration zone configured to indurate the agglomerates; a cooling zone of a cooler device configured to cool down the Indurated agglomerates by means of a gaseous fluid; a agglomerates transportation device configured for transportation of the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone; a control circuitry adapted to control the production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates; a feeding device configured to feed the gaseous fluid from a gaseous fluid supply to; an oxygen injection device configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid; a heating device configured for heating the gaseous fluid; for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas; said heating device is positioned before and / or after said oxygen injection device seen in the flow direction of the gaseous fluid; wherein a gas introduction device of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0390] The method in Fig. 7 starts at step 101. Step 102 comprises adaption of the method. Step 103 comprises stop of the method. Step 102 may comprise; moving the agglomerates from the drying zone (7) to the cooling zone (13) via the induration zone (8); feeding the gaseous fluid (FL) from the gaseous fluid supply (12) toward the induration zone (8) via the cooling zone (13); injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL) by means of the oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10”’, 10””, 10’””, 10”””); heating the gaseous fluid (FL) by means of the heating device (16, 16’, 16”, 16’”, 16””, 16’””, 16”””); and introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) into the induration zone (8) by means of the gas introduction device (15) for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0391] Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart showing a further exemplary method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates by means of an exemplary iron oxide pelletizing configuration. The method starts at step 111. Step 112 comprises moving the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone. Step 113 comprises feeding the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid supply toward the induration zone via the cooling zone. Step 114 comprises injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid by means of the oxygen injection device. Step 115 comprises heating the gaseous fluid by means of the heating device. Step 116 comprises introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone by means of the gas introduction device for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0392] Step 117 may comprise introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas to a pre-heating zone and / or a firing zone of the induration zone by means of the a gas introduction device for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating and / or firing. Step 118 may comprise injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid before and / or after the gaseous fluid is fed into the cooling zone for cooling down the indurated agglomerates and for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite.

[0393] Step 119 may comprise heating the gaseous fluid before and / or after the step of injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid.

[0394] Step 120 may comprise discharging the oxidized iron containing agglomerates from the cooler device by means of a discharge arrangement of the agglomerates transportation device configured to discharge the oxidized iron containing agglomerates from the cooling zone.

[0395] Step 121 may comprise stop of the method.

[0396] Fig. 9 illustrates a control circuitry 50 of an iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 according to a further example. The control circuitry comprises a computer (not shown) and is configured to control any exemplary method herein. The control circuitry 50 may comprise a non-volatile memory NVM 920, which is a computer memory that can retain stored information even when the control circuitry 50 or the computer is not powered. The control circuitry 50 further comprises a processing unit 910 and a read / write memory 950.

[0397] The NVM 920 comprises a first memory unit 930. A computer program (which can be of any type suitable for any operational database) is stored in the first memory unit 930 to be used for operating the functionality and processing of the control circuitry 50.

[0398] Furthermore, the control circuitry 50 comprises a bus controller (not shown), a serial communication port (not shown) providing a physical interface, through which information transfers separately in two directions.

[0399] The control circuitry 50 may comprise any suitable type of I / O module (not shown) providing input / output signal transfer, and / or an A / D converter (not shown) for converting varying signals into binary code suitable to be processed by the computer of the control circuitry 50. The signals may be sent from a tempered pre-heating zone temperature sensor member and / or from a pre-heating zone temperature sensor member and / or from an induration zone temperature sensor member, and / or from a temperature sensor member for detecting temperatures of the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject to oxidization (and / or subject to sintering and / or induration), and / or from a temperature sensor member of the cooling zone, and / or from a gaseous fluid temperature sensor member and / or from an oxygen containing preheated process gas sensor member.

[0400] In such way is achieved detection of the temperature of the iron oxide containing agglomerates subject to oxidization.

[0401] In such way is achieved detection of the temperature of the gaseous fluid and / or of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0402] The control circuitry 50 may be adapted to convert varying signals fed from an oxygen content detecting sensor member configured to detect the oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas and / or detect the oxygen content of the gaseous fluid.

[0403] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to said sensor member / s and adapted to control the heating device 16 for regulating the heat of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0404] The control circuitry 50 may be electrically coupled to said sensor member / s and adapted to control the oxygen injection device for regulating the oxygen content of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas.

[0405] The control circuitry 50 further may comprise an input / output unit (not shown) for adaption to time and date. The control circuitry 50 also may comprise an event counter (not shown) for counting the number of event multiples that occur during preheating and induration of the metal ore material for adjustment of the chemical reaction and / or the oxidization for reaching efficient sintering of the metal ore material in the induration zone. Furthermore, the control circuitry 50 may include interrupt units (not shown) for providing a multi-tasking performance and real time computing. The NVM 920 also includes a second memory unit 940 for external controlled operation.

[0406] A data medium adapted for storing a data program P may comprise driver routines adapted for commanding the operating of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 .

[0407] The data program P is adapted for operating the control circuitry 50 in performing any exemplary method described herein. The data program P comprises routines for executing commands to the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 for achieving any of the exemplary methods herein disclosed.

[0408] The data program P comprises a program code, which is readable on the computer, for causing the computer to control the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 to perform an exemplary method herein described.

[0409] The data program P further may be stored in a separate memory 960 and / or in the read / write memory 950. The data program P in this embodiment is stored in executable or compressed data format.

[0410] It is to be understood that when the processing unit 910 is described to execute a specific function that involves that the processing unit 910 executes a certain part of the program stored in the separate memory 960 or a certain part of the program stored in the read / write memory 950.

[0411] The processing unit 910 is associated with a signal (data) port 999 for communication via a first data bus 915, which signal (data) port 999 may be adapted to be electrically coupled to an electronic control circuitry of an operator station (not shown).

[0412] In such way is achieved that an operator via a display of the electronic control circuitry can control and monitor the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 . The non-volatile memory NVM 920 is adapted for communication with the processing unit 910 via a second data bus 912. The separate memory 960 is adapted for communication with the processing unit 910 via a third data bus 911 . The read / write memory 950 is adapted to communicate with the processing unit 910 via a fourth data bus 914. The signal (data) port 999 may be connectable to data links of e.g. a network coupled to the control circuitry 50.

[0413] When data is received by the signal port 999, the data will be stored temporary in the second memory unit 940. After that the received data is temporary stored, the processing unit 910 will be ready to execute the program code, in accordance with the exemplary methods.

[0414] Preferably, the signals (received by the signal (data) port 999) comprise information about operational status of iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1.

[0415] The received signals at the signal port 999, such as a serial bus, may be used by the control circuitry 50 for controlling and monitoring the oxidization of the magnetite.

[0416] The signals received by the signal (data) port 999 can be used for historic data and data regarding operation of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 .

[0417] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may be configured to be coupled to a data network via the signal port 999 configured for electrical interface explicitly and providing electrical compatibility and data transfer.

[0418] The data may include information about status of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 comprising the above-mentioned sensor members. Data may also be fed manually to the computer and / or presented by the computer via a suitable communication device, such as a display (not shown) or touch screen.

[0419] Separate sequences of the method may be executed by the computer, wherein the computer runs the data program P being stored in the separate memory 960 or the read / write memory 950. When the computer runs the data program P, the method steps according to any example disclosed herein would be executed by means of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 .

[0420] The data program P is programmed with a program code adapted for causing an exemplary iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 to execute any exemplary method herein disclosed. The data program P comprises the program code readable on a computer of the control circuitry 50 for providing the steps of: moving the agglomerates from the drying zone to the cooling zone via the induration zone; feeding the gaseous fluid from the gaseous fluid supply toward the induration zone via the cooling zone; injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid by means of the oxygen injection device; heating the gaseous fluid by means of the heating device; and introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas into the induration zone by means of the gas introduction device for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to induration.

[0421] Alternatively, a data program product comprising a program code stored on a data medium may be provided, which data program product is readable on the computer, for commanding the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 to perform any of the exemplary method steps herein disclosed, when the data program P is run on the computer.

[0422] Fig. 10 shows an iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 according to a further example. It comprises a drying zone 7 of a drying device DD of an induration device ID of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 and a pellet transportation device 6. An induration zone 8 of the induration device ID is configured to oxidize and sinter iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 and comprises the drying zone 7 and a tempered pre-heating zone TPH. The induration device ID is configured for heat treatment of the iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 for producing oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3. The iron oxide containing agglomerates 2 are dried and fed into the tempered pre-heating zone TPH of the induration device ID.

[0423] After passing the tempered pre-heating zone TPH, the pre-heated agglomerates may be fed into a first pre-heating zone PH1 of the induration zone 8. The first pre-heating zone PH1 may be introduced with a first gaseous fluid FL1 which has been heated by a first heater 16’ and subsequently injected with oxygen by means of a first oxygen injection device 10’. Oxygen thus may be added to the pre-heated first gaseous fluid FL1 for providing a first oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17’ to be introduced into the first pre-heating zone PH1 .

[0424] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 further comprises a first feeding device 18’, such as a fluid pump, configured to feed the first gaseous fluid FL1 from a gaseous fluid supply 12 to the first oxygen injection device 10’.

[0425] A second pre-heating zone PH2 of the induration zone 8 is fed with a second gaseous fluid FL2, which has been heated by a second heater 16” and subsequently injected with oxygen by means of a second oxygen injection device 10”. The second heater 16” is configured to heat the second gaseous fluid FL2. The second oxygen injection device 10” adds oxygen to the (pre-heated) second gaseous fluid FL2 for providing a second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” to be introduced into the second pre-heating zone PH2. The oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” may be controlled by a control circuitry 50 to exhibit a temperature set by means of the second heating device 16” and / or flow rate set by a second feeding device 18”, for causing the iron oxide containing agglomerates to be heat treated in an optimal process. By means of the second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” introduced into the second pre-heating zone PH2 by means of a second gas introduction device 15”, the pre-heated agglomerates will be further heated. There is thus achieved that the pellet bed will be provided with high thermal energy in the second pre-heating zone PH2, which combined with the high oxygen content of the second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” provides an energy efficient oxidization of the magnetite.

[0426] The second gaseous fluid FL2 may be firstly pre-heated by the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3 passing through a cooler device 14 adapted to cool down the oxidized iron containing agglomerates 3.

[0427] The second oxygen injection device 10” may be positioned downstream the second heating device 16”, seen in the flow direction FD of the gaseous fluid flow of the second gaseous fluid FL2 fed from the gaseous fluid supply 12, for providing the second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17” to be fed into the induration zone 8.

[0428] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise a gas mixer device or static gas mixer GM configured to mix the oxygen - injected by means of the second oxygen injection device 10” - with the pre-heated gaseous fluid flow (pre-heated by means of the second heating device 16”) of the second gaseous fluid FL2 for forming the second oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17”.

[0429] The second heating device 16” may comprise a gas burner (e.g. a hydrogen gas burner), an electrical heater, a plasma heater or other types of heaters etc.

[0430] The iron oxide pelletizing configuration 1 may comprise a gas mixer device (not shown) configured to mix oxygen, injected by the respective oxygen injection device, with the pre-heated gaseous fluid forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas. The gas mixer device may comprise a dynamic gas mixer and / or a static gas mixer device.

[0431] Fig. 11 shows a schematic drawing of a static gas mixer GM configured for mixing at least two gas flows of different densities and / or flow rates and / or other features. The static gas mixer GM comprises in this case three plates which are angled relative the longitudinal direction of the extension of the static gas mixer GM. A flow of oxygen gas 02 injected upstream by means of the second oxygen injection device (not shown) into the pre-heated gaseous fluid flow FL being introduced into the static gas mixer GM together with and relatively unmixed with the pre-heated gaseous fluid flow FL.

[0432] The pre-heated gaseous fluid flow FL may be defined as a pre-heated process gas fed from the cooler device (not shown).

[0433] The static gas mixer GM comprises a number of fixed mixing members for providing a more homogenous mix. The fixed mixing members may comprise baffles, channels, blades, sheets etc. to mix the pre-heated gaseous fluid flow FL with the oxygen gas 02. The static gas mixer GM employs forced flow to merge the preheated gaseous fluid flow FL and the oxygen gas 02 into a uniform mixture.

[0434] The static gas mixer GM comprises a tube T enclosing the fixed mixing members, which change the flow direction of the pre-heated gaseous fluid flow FL and the oxygen gas 02 for ensuring mixing of the latter. The tube T enclosing the fixed mixing members ensures rapid and effective mixing and a constant stream of the resulting oxygen containing pre-heated process gas 17. The tube T may serve as a pressure vessel enclosing the mixing elements and serves as a housing for optimizing flow dynamics, radial mixing, axial mixing etc. The fixed mixing members may be helical, twisted, spiral shaped and may be positioned to split and redirect the flow of pre-heated gaseous fluid flow FL and oxygen gas 02 for generating turbulence and mixing.

[0435] Fig. 12 shows a preferred example of positioning a gas mixer device M in relation to a heating device 16 (such as the second heating device 16”) and an oxygen injection device 10 (such as the second oxygen injection device 10”) taking into account the flow direction of the gaseous fluid flow FL and the oxygen gas 02.

[0436] The oxygen gas 02 may be pure oxygen gas or comprise a certain vol% of oxygen. The oxygen injection device 10 may regulate the amount of oxygen fed into the gaseous fluid flow FL.

[0437] The heating device 16 may be positioned upstream (seen in the flow direction of the gaseous fluid flow FL) the oxygen injection device 10 and the gas mixer device M, wherein the oxygen injection device 10 is positioned between the gas mixer device M and the heating device 16.

[0438] A further embodiment of positioning the gas mixer device M in relation to the heating device 16 involves that the heating device 16 may be positioned downstream the gas mixer device M, which in turn may be positioned downstream the oxygen injection device 10 (i.e. in the following order 10 - M - 16).

[0439] The present disclosure or disclosures may not be restricted to the examples described above, but many possibilities to modifications, or combinations of the described examples thereof should be apparent to a person with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the basic idea as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 , GK, SG) adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3) by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates (2) comprising magnetite,-the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 , GK, SG) comprises;-an induration zone (8) configured to indurate the iron oxide containing agglomerates; and-a control circuitry (50) adapted to control the production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3); characterized in that the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 , GK, SG) further comprises;-a feeding device (18) configured to feed a gaseous fluid (FL) from a gaseous fluid supply (12);-an oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10”’, 10””, 10’””, 10”””) configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL);-a heating device (16, 16’, 16”, 16’”, 16””, 16’””, 16”””) configured for heating the gaseous fluid (FL); for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17);-said heating device (16, 16’, 16”, 16’”, 16””, 16’””, 16”””) is positioned before and / or after said oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10’”, 10””, 10’””, 10”””) seen in the flow direction (FD) of the gaseous fluid (FL); wherein;-a gas introduction device (15) of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) into the induration zone (8) for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite.

2. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) further comprises a discharge arrangement (19) of an agglomerates transportation device (6) configuredto discharge the oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3) from a cooling zone (13), the agglomerates transportation device (6) is configured for transportation of the agglomerates from a drying zone to the cooling zone (13) via the induration zone (8).

3. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the heating device comprises a heat exchanger (16’, 16”’, 16’””) of the cooling zone (13) and / or comprises a burner device (16”, 16””, 16”””).

4. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the burner device (16”, 16””, 16”””) comprises a hydrogen burner.

5. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) comprises an electrolysis unit configured to produce oxygen; which oxygen is transferred to the oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10’”, 10””, 10’””, 10”””) to be injected into the gaseous fluid (FL).

6. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the oxygen injection device (10’, 10”, 10’”, 10’””) is configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid forming an oxygen injected gaseous fluid to be fed into the cooling zone for cooling down the indurated agglomerates and for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite.

7. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) comprises a gas mixer device (M) configured to mix oxygen, injected by the oxygen injection device (10), with the pre-heated gaseous fluid (FL) forming the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17).

8. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the gas mixer device (M) is electrically coupled to the control circuitry (50) adapted to control the mixing of oxygen mixed with the pre-heated gaseous fluid for providing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17).

9. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device (10) and is adapted to control the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid, based on actual rate of heat development of the agglomerates in the induration zone (8); and the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to an oxygen concentration sensor arrangement configured to detect the amount of oxygen added to the pre-heated gaseous fluid.

10. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device (10) for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid (FL) based on actual rate of heat development of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone (8); the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to a temperature sensor arrangement configured to detect the temperature of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone (8).11 . The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to the oxygen injection device (10) for regulating the amount of oxygen injected into the gaseous fluid (FL) based on actual rate of oxygen diffusion into hematite crystal of the iron oxide containing agglomerates in the induration zone (8); the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to a hematite crystal detection arrangement configured to detect the hematite crystal structure of the indurated iron oxide containing agglomerates (3) discharged from the induration zone (8).

12. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to the gas mixer device (M) configured to mix oxygen with the pre-heated gaseous fluid (FL) based on actual oxygen / air mixing ratio of the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) in the induration zone (8); the control circuitry (50) is electrically coupled to an oxygen / air mixing ratio sensing arrangement of the induration zone (8) and / or of an oxygen containing gaseous fluid transfer line arrangement for sensing the actual oxygen / air mixing ratio.

13. The iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a gas introduction device (15) comprises a first oxygen containing gaseous fluid introduction member (FM1 ) configured to provide a first oxygen containing oxidation gas flow and a second oxygen containing gaseous fluid introduction member (FM2) configured to provide a second oxygen containing oxidation gas flow.

14. A method of production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3) by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates (2) comprising magnetite by means of an iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ), adapted for production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3) by induration of iron oxide containing agglomerates (2) comprising magnetite;-the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) comprises;-an induration zone (8) configured to indurate the agglomerates;-a control circuitry (50) adapted to control the production of oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3);-a feeding device (18) configured to feed a gaseous fluid (FL) from a gaseous fluid supply (12) to;-an oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10”’, 10””, 10’””, 10”””) configured to inject oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL);-a heating device (16, 16’, 16”, 16’”, 16””, 16’””, 16”””) configured for heating the gaseous fluid (FL); for providing an oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17);-said heating device (16, 16’, 16”, 16”’, 16””, 16’””, 16”””) is positioned before and / or after said oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10’”, 10””, 10’””, 10”””) seen in the flow direction (FD) of the gaseous fluid (FL); wherein;-a gas introduction device (15) of the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) is configured to introduce the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) into the induration zone (8) for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite; the method is characterized by the steps of:-feeding the gaseous fluid (FL) from the gaseous fluid supply (12) toward the induration zone (8) via the cooling zone (13);-injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL) by means of the oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10’”, 10””, 10’””, 10”””);-heating the gaseous fluid (FL) by means of the heating device (16, 16’, 16”, 16’”, 16””, 16’””, 16”””); and-introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) into the induration zone (8) by means of the gas introduction device (15) for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) is performed to a preheating zone (9) and / or a firing zone (11) of the induration zone (8) by means of the a gas introduction device (15) for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite of the agglomerates subject to pre-heating and / or firing.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the method comprises the further step of;-injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL) before and / or after the gaseous fluid (FL) is fed into a cooling zone (13) for cooling down theindurated agglomerates and for increasing the oxidization rate of the magnetite.

17. The method according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the step of heating the gaseous fluid (FL) is performed before and / or after the step of injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL).

18. The method according to any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the method comprises the further step of;-discharging the oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3) from the cooler device (13) by means of a discharge arrangement (19) of an agglomerates transportation device (6) configured to discharge the oxidized iron containing agglomerates (3) from the cooling zone (13).

19. A data program (P), programmed with a program code adapted for causing the iron oxide pelletizing configuration (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims to execute the method according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein said data program (P) comprises a program code readable on a computer of the control circuitry (50) for providing the steps of:-feeding the gaseous fluid (FL) from the gaseous fluid supply (12) toward the induration zone (8);-injecting oxygen into the gaseous fluid (FL) by means of the oxygen injection device (10, 10’, 10”, 10’”, 10””, 10’””, 10”””);-heating the gaseous fluid (FL) by means of the heating device (16, 16’, 16”, 16’”, 16””, 16’””, 16”””); and-introducing the oxygen containing pre-heated process gas (17) into the induration zone (8) by means of the gas introduction device (15) for increasing the oxidization rate and / or sintering rate and / or for complete oxidation of the magnetite of the agglomerates into hematite.

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