Editors: | F. Kongoli, G.Brooks, P. Butterworth, M. Geerdes, Y. Gordon, M. Grant, L. Lu, D. Lu, K. Saito, H. Sohn, T. Usui. |
Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
Publication Year: | 2022 |
Pages: | 276 pages |
ISBN: | 978-1-989820-54-4(CD) |
ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
The blast furnace process is based on carbon reduction and a coke base is a necessity to sustain reduction through the cohesive zone, melting of the ferrous and separation into carburized hot metal and slag[1]. Partly replacing carbon with hydrogen as a sustainable source of energy and reductant has been proven [2] but when and where will the boundaries of the current process occur and can they be stretched. Though hydrogen advantages in the dry part of the shaft are clear, the cohesive zone becomes a first bottle neck, as will be shown through calculations. On the other hand, the water gas shift reaction proofs supportive.
Approaching it from a different angle, Direct Reduction is seen as an existing process capable to switch over to complete hydrogen usage for sustainable ironmaking [3]. Aside from the process scale, this approach requires a different view on burden composition and quality and the efficient use of DRI in the subsequent steelmaking process needs further development. Current bottle necks and approaches to solve will be discussed. In the end combination of both integrated as well as DR steelmaking will benefit both technologies