Green steelmaking with the Midrex(R) and Fastmet(R) processes

Abstract

A comparative study in which various steel making processes such as blast furnace, BOF, the MIDREX(R) Direct Reduction Process, the FASTMET(R), and the EAF are compared and the manner in which direct reduction processes can lower greenhouse gas emissions is described. Results show that by using the maximum amount of scrap, energy consumption and carbon emission can be minimized. It was found that the type of alternative iron (i.e. scrap) does not have a major impact on energy consumption or carbon emissions, however, DRI and HBI have lower energy consumption and carbon emissions than pig iron. It is also demonstrated that for a 100 per cent iron ore-based steelmaking facility, the MIDREX Process provides lower energy consumption and carbon emissions than the blast furnace/BOF technology, mainly because of its efficiency and use of natural gas. Conversely, FASTMET and FASTIRON offer advantages in raw material flexibility with minimal increase in carbon emissions and lower energy consumption overall. 7 refs.,17 tabs., 1 fig.