Recent Trends in the Technologies of the Direct Reduction and Smelting Process of Iron Ore/Iron Oxide in the Extraction of Iron and Steelmaking

Abstract

The blast furnace and direct reduction processes have been the major iron production routes for the past few decades, but the challenges of maintaining the iron and steel-making processes are enormous. The challenges, such as cumbersome production routes, scarcity of metallurgical coke, high energy demands, and a high cost of production, cannot be overemphasized. This study provides a systematic overview of the different ironmaking routes, and the challenges involved. Subsequently, strategic ways towards improving the production efficiency and product quality of metallic iron produced in the recent iron processing routes were suggested. The study reiterated that the non-contact direct reduction and reduction-smelting routes are the faster ironmaking and steelmaking processes that can utilise alternative energy sources efficiently with little or no carbon deposition. Both processes also have promising features based on their requirements in terms of fewer energy demands, time-saving, cost-effectiveness, and operational efficiency. Thus, in today's iron and steelmaking processes, non-contact direct reduction and reduction-smelting processes remain viable alternative iron production routes.

Research for Industrial Application of Bentonite-Polymer Material in Ferrous Metallurgy

“…For example, there is evidence in the literature that the use of hydrogen gas as a reducing agent for the direct reduction of iron ore materials will make it possible to obtain a carbon-free iron product with the prospect of reducing emissions of harmful gases, regardless of the type of reduction or smelting reactor used [34]. In addition to minimizing the negative impact on the environment, including risks associated with the global greenhouse effect problem, the interest of metallurgists in the processes of direct reduction of iron is caused by the limited and rapid depletion of coking coal reserves [35].…”