India is the world's largest producer of sponge iron, most of which is produced primarily through the coal based method of production. Growth in the sponge iron production can be attributed largely to the popularity of secondary steelmaking route, which has shown a phenomenal growth in India. The proportion of crude steel produced by the secondary steel sector rose from 26 mMT(37%) in 1999-2k to 54 mMT(59%) in 2007-08. This has been mainly due to the lower investment cost of the EAF as compared with the integrated blast furnace-oxygen converter route and also because of its greater flexibility of product mix.
During sponge iron manufacturing, iron ore is reduced in solid state. Unlike the conventional steel melting processes, the gangue content of iron ore cannot be separated as a slag. Hence, it becomes essential to select an ore with high iron content and a low gangue content, to optimise yield during steel making. In order to ensure a better kiln campaign life and output, the iron ore is made to undergo a series of other tests viz. shatter, tumbler & abrasion indices, reducibility etc.
The imperatives, which determine the quality of coal, are as follows:
Chemical properties such as fixed carbon, ash content, volatile matter, etc. & Physical properties viz, reactivity and ash fusion temperature.
SANTPURIA ALLOYS PVT. LTD acquires good quality coal from the collieries of Central Coalfields, South Eastern Coalfields & Mahanadi Coalfields. Besides, to maintain the desired quality and improve kiln campaign life.
Lime Stone is an important ingredient and acts as a desulphuriser removing sulphur from the feed mix during the reduction process.It is mixed in small proportions along with other raw materials before charging into the kiln.Control of sulphur content is an essential pre-requisite for the manufacture of good quality steel. SANTPURIA ALLOYS PVT. LTD Gomardih Lime Stone quarry caters to the Company's overall requirement of Lime Stone.