Status of Direct Reduction Ironmaking: New Trends, Technologies, and Applications for Steelmakers

by Christopher Ravenscroft

Publisher - Midrex Technologies, Inc., Charlotte, USA

Category - General Novel

The recent slowdown in the global steel industry may have overshadowed current projects and capacity expansion; however, there is no doubt that the Direct Reduction Ironmaking industry will continue to expand capacity dramatically over the next few decades. Interests in DRI products and their use continue to grow as new applications outside of the EAF industry are explored. The world’s annual DRI production has surpassed 70 million tons per year and DRI upward growth is an important part of encouraging steel industry sustainability. To this point, two new MIDREX® Plants are currently in construction with two additional plants that have recently begun, representing nearly nine million tons of new capacity with almost half of that production devoted specifically to production of hot briquetted iron (HBI). Product flexibility continues to be a key to the success of modern DRI plants. In addition, this next generation of DRI plants will focus on overall efficiency, including better utilization of resources through improvements to process and equipment, as well as reduction of emissions. This paper examines some of the new technologies in practice and takes a look at current DRI production milestones. We will also review the most recently commissioned MIDREX® projects throughout the world.

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