Pellet is a geometrical product of ground iron ore and other additives that plays an essential role in the steel industry. These small and compressed pellets are used as raw material in blast furnaces and electric arc furnaces to produce pig iron. The pellet production process includes various steps such as grinding iron ore, adding raw materials, pelletizing, baking in the furnace and cooling.

Advantages of using pellets:

• High grade:  The pellet contains a high percentage of pure iron (usually between 65 and 75 percent), which leads to the production of high quality steel and a more efficient smelting process.
• Reduced fuel consumption:  Due to its high grade, the use of pellets leads to lower fuel consumption (about 30-40%) and lower emissions in the steel smelting process compared to raw iron ore.
• Efficient production process:  Pellet production is an efficient process that leads to less wastage of raw materials (about 5-10%) and cost savings.
• Easy transportability:  Pellet is in the form of small and compact pellets (with a diameter of 8 to 15 mm), which makes it easier and more economical to transport and handle than raw iron ore.
• Reducing the volume of raw materials:  due to compression, the pellet occupies a smaller volume, which saves storage and transportation space.

The role of pellets in the production of pig iron:

Pellet is used as raw material in blast furnaces and electric arc furnaces to produce pig iron. In the blast furnace, the pellet is mixed with coke and limestone and melted at high temperature. The iron in the pellet is converted into pig iron, which is used in the next steps to produce steel. In an electric arc furnace, pellets are charged together with scrap iron and other raw materials and melted using an electric arc. The iron in the pellet is converted into pig iron, which is used in the next steps to produce steel.