Some Studies On Reduction Kinetics Of Iron Ore – Graphite Composite Pellets In A Packed Bed Reactor: Demand for good quality coking coal and environmental concerns, has necessitated the search for alternative routes of iron making. Besides, a large quantity of iron ore and coal fines are produced due to mechanized mining. Only a part of these fines is utilized. Several fundamental studies have been carried out to use these fines in the form of iron ore-coal composite pellets. However, previous studies have been primarily limited to single pellet reduction only. In actual practice, several such pellets are required to be reduced in a shaft furnace, or in a retort. Therefore, the present study aims at investigating the reductions of these pellets in a side heated packed bed reactor, simulating closely to a retort process. Experiments have been carried out in a tailor made bottom hanging thermo-gravimetric set up. The reductions were carried out both under inert and reactive atmospheres at three specific temperatures, namely 800°C, 900°C and 1000°C. The effects of different process parameters like time, temperature, Fe2O3/C molar ratio on the reduction kinetics of the composite pellets have been clarified in such a packed bed system. The effects of inlet gas composition on the rate of the reduction process have also been investigated under reactive atmosphere. The extent of reduction has been characterized in terms of degree of reduction, which has been experimentally determined from weight loss of the packed bed and exit gas analysis.