Title

NOVEL FLASH IRONMAKING TECHNOLOGY WITH GREATLY REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS

NOVEL FLASH IRONMAKING TECHNOLOGY WITH GREATLY REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS

Authorship

Sohn, H. Y.; Choi, M. E.; Olivas-Martinez., M.

Sohn, H. Y.

I am this author

Choi, M. E.

I am this author

Olivas-Martinez., M.

I am this author

DOI

10.5151/2594-357X-22117

Downloads

Abstract

A new transformational technology for alternate ironmaking is being developed under the financial support of American Iron and Steel Institute. This technology is based on the direct gaseous reduction of iron oxide concentrate in a flash reduction process. The novel Flash Ironmaking Technology has the potential to reduce energy consumption by 32-57% and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 61-96% compared with the average current blast furnace operation. The process uses gaseous reducing agents such as natural gas, hydrogen, syngas or a combination thereof. It is to be applied to the production of iron as a feed to the steelmaking process or a part of a continuous direct steelmaking process. Justified by experimental data obtained during the previous phase of the project, scale-up development work is currently ongoing at the University of Utah. Testing in a laboratory flash furnace has resulted in the establishment of a kinetics database over wide ranges of operating conditions and a complete design of a more advanced bench reactor. With an objective to develop an industrially viable Flash Ironmaking Technology, a comprehensive benchscale testing campaign is planned. The deliverables from this phase of the project are expected to be the determination of the scalability of the process, substantive process simulation results and fundamental engineering data leading to the design and construction of an industrial pilot plant.

A new transformational technology for alternate ironmaking is being developed under the financial support of American Iron and Steel Institute. This technology is based on the direct gaseous reduction of iron oxide concentrate in a flash reduction process. The novel Flash Ironmaking Technology has the potential to reduce energy consumption by 32-57% and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 61-96% compared with the average current blast furnace operation. The process uses gaseous reducing agents such as natural gas, hydrogen, syngas or a combination thereof. It is to be applied to the production of iron as a feed to the steelmaking process or a part of a continuous direct steelmaking process. Justified by experimental data obtained during the previous phase of the project, scale-up development work is currently ongoing at the University of Utah. Testing in a laboratory flash furnace has resulted in the establishment of a kinetics database over wide ranges of operating conditions and a complete design of a more advanced bench reactor. With an objective to develop an industrially viable Flash Ironmaking Technology, a comprehensive benchscale testing campaign is planned. The deliverables from this phase of the project are expected to be the determination of the scalability of the process, substantive process simulation results and fundamental engineering data leading to the design and construction of an industrial pilot plant.

Keywords

Alternate ironmaking technology; Carbon dioxide emission; Flash smelting; Iron oxide concentrate.

Alternate ironmaking technology; Carbon dioxide emission; Flash smelting; Iron oxide concentrate.