Non-isothermal reduction kinetics of titanomagnetite by hydrogen

Reduction of titanomagnetite (TTM) powders by H2-Ar gas mixtures was investigated under a non-isothermal condition by using a thermogravimetric analysis system. It was found that non-isothermal reduction of TTM proceeded via a dual-reaction mechanism. The first reaction was reduction of TTM to wüstite and ilmenite, whereas the second one was reduction of wüstite and ilmenite to iron and titanium dioxide. By using a new model for the dual reactions, which was in an analytical form and incorporated different variables, such as time, temperature, particle size, and hydrogen partial pressure, rate-controlling steps for the dual reactions were obtained with the apparent activation energies calculated to be 90–98 and 115–132 kJ/mol for the first and second reactions, respectively.