The electric arc furnace is the main process unit in scrap‐based steelmaking. Owing to its importance, numerous mathematical models for predicting the course of the electric arc furnace process have been developed. This article reviews mathematical process models proposed in the literature, identifying the most common modeling approaches, and uses mathematical descriptions for the main phenomena. Furthermore, the validation of such models is discussed in detail. Finally, the article identifies gaps in the existing knowledge and provides suggestions for the further development of mathematical process models.

No abstract

Steelmaking in the electric arc furnace (EAF), either scrap-based or based on hydrogen direct reduced iron, will in future contribute substantially to the reduction of CO2 emissions in the iron and steel industry. However, there still will be the need to introduce carbon into the EAF process either to carburize the steel or to create foaming slag to improve the energy efficiency of the melting process. So, to reach the emission reduction goals set around the world, it will be necessary to substitute fossil charge and injection carbon used in EAF steelmaking with alternative carbon sources. This review presents the recent research on carbon-neutral biomass-based and circular rubber or plastics-based carbon sources and their potential to substitute fossil charge or injection carbon in the EAF process. It also discusses the current state-of-the art and suggests further opportunities and needs for research and development to use alternative carbon sources to produce a really green and carbon neutral and/or fully circular steel.

Biochar fines from a wood gasification plant and from pyrolysis of agricultural residues were investigated as substitutes for fossil coal used in the steel production in the electric arc furnace (EAF). During previous tests biochar fines with high specific surface showed problematic burnoff behaviour. Therefore the agglomeration behaviour of the biochar fines was investigated. Different binary and ternary mixtures of biochar with water and binders were tested in a hydraulic stamp press and evaluated with regard to green strength and fatigue strength of the briquettes after 3 days. One selected mixture was used to produce pillow briquettes in a double roll press. The abrasion behaviour of the produced briquettes was tested and compared to an anthracite reference coal (RC). Melting tests in a pilot EAF showed that the agglomerated biochar reacts similar to the RC. The briquetting leads to reduced reactivity and slower burn-off compared to the biochar fines.

No abstract