Equipment & technology.
Understand what each equipment category does—and the application information needed for a useful technical discussion.
Filters, feed bins and dosing systems
Establish a consistent basis for the material entering the pelletizing circuit.
See the process stage →Separate preparation from dosing
Identify where the feed specification is established and which equipment is responsible for maintaining the required input conditions.
APPLICATION INPUTS
Feed source and variability; moisture reporting basis; sampling location; additive requirements.
Dosing equipment and mixers
Bring the feed, binder and required additives together before balling.
See the process stage →Compare the mixing duty
Ask how feed variability, dosage control and the downstream balling requirement are represented in the proposed scope.
APPLICATION INPUTS
Recipe and dosage basis; mixing duty; water addition; material transfer and control interfaces.
Pelletizing discs and balling drums
Understand the role of discs and drums in forming unfired pellets.
See the process stage →Discs and drums
Both are balling equipment categories. Evaluate a proposal against ore testwork, required product, circuit configuration and the stated operating envelope.
APPLICATION INPUTS
Feed conditions; size distribution; recycle streams; available operating controls; green-pellet handling.
Roller screens, feeders and distribution conveyors
Connect size separation with the material delivered to induration.
See the process stage →Screens and feeders
Define whether the duty is size classification, material distribution or both. Record each outlet and the destination of off-size material.
APPLICATION INPUTS
Separation duty; feed variability; stream destinations; transfer interfaces; access and maintenance.
Induration systems, burners, fans and coolers
Compare the complete process route, fuel system and operating case.
See the process stage →Straight-grate and grate-kiln
Treat each as a complete process arrangement. Compare feed, product, fuels, utilities, emissions-control scope and evidence on a common basis.
APPLICATION INPUTS
Ore and product basis; fuel and utility scope; heat-recovery interfaces; emissions controls; acceptance conditions.
Conveyors, transfer systems, storage and load-out equipment
Follow the fired pellet from the plant to its intended ironmaking application.
See the process stage →Transfers and load-out
Define each handover, access envelope, sampling point and downstream acceptance responsibility.
APPLICATION INPUTS
Sampling and acceptance points; handling interfaces; shipment records; receiving-plant requirements.
Start with the duty, then compare the offer.
This guide explains equipment categories. Suitability, performance and operating limits require project-specific engineering and testwork.
Use the project interface worksheet →Detailed equipment guides
Roller-screen performance: measure the separation, not only the gap
A practical guide to product recovery, contamination, recycle, diagnosis and acceptance testing.
Read the guide ↗ENGINEERING GUIDEBalling-disc control: stabilise the feed, then evaluate the circuit
A working guide to water balance, interacting controls, recycle and evidence-led operating trials.
Read the guide ↗A common basis for comparing equipment offers
A useful comparison begins with the same material duty and ends with the same acceptance boundary. State new feed, recycle and peak flow separately. Define moisture basis, particle-size distribution, mechanical layout, operating range and utilities. If one proposal relies on upstream preparation that another includes, reconcile that difference before comparing prices.
| Equipment group | Performance evidence | Lifecycle question |
|---|---|---|
| Filters, feeders and mixers | Representative material trials, rate stability and measured additions | Can the plant maintain calibration and clean or service the equipment without disrupting the complete line? |
| Discs, drums and screens | Accepted product, reject streams and full circuit balance | Which wear items change process performance before mechanical failure? |
| Distribution conveyors and feeders | Final feed uniformity and degradation along the complete route | Can components be replaced within the available access and outage window? |
| Induration and cooling | Common feed envelope, product quality and complete utility boundary | Which critical components and auxiliary systems govern plant availability? |
| Product handling | Accepted product and fines at defined transfer points | Is the gain retained through storage and dispatch? |
Request the conditions behind each reference. A reported result without ore properties, configuration, sampling basis and operating period is insufficient for a meaningful comparison. Use a weighted evaluation only after mandatory technical requirements have been met; a low price should not compensate mathematically for an unresolved process interface.
Understand the technical trade-offs
Green strength & binders
Connect feed preparation, binder dispersion, plasticity and the complete quality sequence.
Explore the evidence →TECHNICAL GUIDEScreen to furnace
Track degradation, distribution and the difference between pellet porosity and bed voidage.
Explore the evidence →TECHNICAL GUIDEThermal routes & testwork
Compare process proposals with representative ore and a common energy boundary.
Explore the evidence →