Title

IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW ALTERNATIVE IRONMAKING TECHNOLOGIES: EXPERIENCE AND RISK

IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW ALTERNATIVE IRONMAKING TECHNOLOGIES: EXPERIENCE AND RISK

Authorship

Gordon, Yakov; Howey, Cam; Cameron., Ian

Gordon, Yakov

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Howey, Cam

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Cameron., Ian

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357X-22138

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Abstract

The steel industry has struggled to implement alternative ironmaking technologies that can assure the future sustainability of the iron and steel industry. Understanding and managing the risks inherent to the introduction of new technology in a capitalintensive, high volume, low-margin industry is a key to implementing lasting change. New technology risk can be mitigated by recognizing the hierarchy of decisions that must be made, whether for a greenfield project or restructuring and modernizing existing facilities. This leads to a logical sequence of activities starting with an evaluation of technology maturity and scale-up factors, selection of appropriate technologies and plant concepts, development of capital and operating costs, risk management strategy, recruiting the best resources and management team, effective pilot and demonstration plant operations that leads to a successful commercial facility. Hatch’s experience in assessing new technologies and identifying key success factors will be presented. The paper will focus on the technical aspects of alternative ironmaking technologies and will specifically address scale-up from pilot or demonstration plants to a commercial operation. The analysis/resolution of major problems and duration of ramp-up period to reach the design capacity will be reviewed for several well-known processes. Success in growing capacity after commissioning the first commercial unit will also be presented.

The steel industry has struggled to implement alternative ironmaking technologies that can assure the future sustainability of the iron and steel industry. Understanding and managing the risks inherent to the introduction of new technology in a capitalintensive, high volume, low-margin industry is a key to implementing lasting change. New technology risk can be mitigated by recognizing the hierarchy of decisions that must be made, whether for a greenfield project or restructuring and modernizing existing facilities. This leads to a logical sequence of activities starting with an evaluation of technology maturity and scale-up factors, selection of appropriate technologies and plant concepts, development of capital and operating costs, risk management strategy, recruiting the best resources and management team, effective pilot and demonstration plant operations that leads to a successful commercial facility. Hatch’s experience in assessing new technologies and identifying key success factors will be presented. The paper will focus on the technical aspects of alternative ironmaking technologies and will specifically address scale-up from pilot or demonstration plants to a commercial operation. The analysis/resolution of major problems and duration of ramp-up period to reach the design capacity will be reviewed for several well-known processes. Success in growing capacity after commissioning the first commercial unit will also be presented.

Keywords

Alternative ironmaking; Ramp-up; Scale-up; Risk; Experience with implementation.

Alternative ironmaking; Ramp-up; Scale-up; Risk; Experience with implementation.