Coated Coal Agglomerates to Prevent Sticking in Reduction Furnaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing coal briquettes used in steelmaking furnaces tend to stick together when heated, forming 'bunches' and making the process unfeasible without prior coking treatment.

Innovation Solution

A solid agglomerate comprising a core of coking coal and a coating of non-coking coal or coal waste with a binder, where the coating acts as an inert sacrificial material to prevent sticking during heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If coal briquettes are used directly in the furnace without prior coking treatment, then the process is simpler and faster, but the agglomerates stick together forming 'bunches' making the process unfeasible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess speedVSAvoidprocess feasibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing coking treatment on the coal briquettes before they are introduced into the reduction furnace. This preliminary heating and coking process prevents the agglomerates from sticking together during subsequent reduction operations, thereby enabling direct use without forming unfeasible bunches while maintaining process speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a coating of non-coking coal or coal waste is applied to prevent sticking, then the agglomerates remain separate inside the furnace, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation of agglomeratesVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by creating a coated structure where non-coking coal or coal waste forms a protective coating layer over the coking coal core. This composite structure prevents sticking during furnace operations while the coating can be applied through standard briquetting processes, managing manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different functional properties to different parts of the coal briquette: the core (coking coal) provides structural integrity and reducing capability, while the coating (non-coking coal or coal waste) provides anti-sticking properties. This localized functional differentiation solves the separation problem without requiring complete process redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents agglomerates from sticking together inside the furnace, eliminating the need for prior coking treatment and ensuring a feasible process.

Implementation Method 1

the second composition comprises at least one compound that acts as an inert sacrificial material during the reduction process inside the steel furnace

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInert sacrificial material:

Data Source

PatentEP4403657B1Solid agglomerate for use in siderurgical reduction furnaces

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 TECHNORED DESENVOLVIMENTO TECHNOLOGICO SA

Figure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to solid agglomerates for use in steel reduction furnaces. In this scenario, the present invention provides a solid agglomerate (A) comprising a core (N) formed by a first composition and a coating (R) formed by a second composition, where the second composition comprises at least one compound that acts as an inert sacrificial material during the reduction process inside the steel furnace.