Preventing Sticking in Hydrogen-Based Reduction: A Thermochemical Perspective

Dr Sabrine Khadhraoui

2025-05-23

Abstract
Fluidised bed technology for the direct reduction of iron ores allows the exclusive use of hydrogen as a reductant, offering a sustainable pathway for green steelmaking. A key challenge in this process is the sticking phenomenon, which causes defluidisation and disrupts operations. This talk will present a thermochemical investigation into how operating conditions—such as temperature, hydrogen supply, and ore composition—affect the formation of a low-melting liquid phase linked to sticking. The findings provide insights into minimising sticking risks and optimising the fluidised bed reduction process.

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Biography
Dr Sabrine Khadhraoui graduated in Metallurgy from the Institute of Metals Technologies at the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany) in 2011. She subsequently joined the Research and Development division of SMS group, a leading global supplier of plants and technologies for processing steel and non-ferrous metals. Her main field of expertise lies in the modelling and simulation of various metallurgical processes, with a particular focus on the thermodynamics and kinetics of metal-slag-gas reactions.

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Jaco is a Chemical Engineer with twelve years of experience in projects that range from reactive metals handling, reactive metal powder production in molten salt slurry reactors, extractive metallurgy to microwave-assisted gas-solid materials processing.
Jaco contributed to three process patents and obtained a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering. Jaco also completed the KTP Management and Leadership Study Program at Ashorne Hill Management College, England.

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