MIDREX® HBI Production and Steel Mill Sustainability

by Christopher Ravenscroft, Robert L. Hunter

Publisher - Midrex Technologies, Inc.

Category - Engineering & IT

As economic and environmental pressures continue to increase for the traditional BF/BOF route of steel production, many steelmakers are faced with the challenge of lowering emissions while simultaneously maintaining production at their integrated works. Sustainability is ultimately the key issue for every steelmaker going into the future, but as to how to achieve this goal in light of new challenges is the question at hand. Shale gas exploration has led to low cost natural gas in North America and other areas of the world, creating interest in new direct reduced ironmaking (DRI) facilities and DRI products. DRI products, including hot briquetted iron (HBI) that were once viewed by integrated steelmakers as an electric arc furnace (EAF)-specific charge material, may actually present a long term scalable solution that is achievable for steelmakers going forward. HBI usage as charge material especially in the blast furnace (BF) is now being seen as a powerful way to help displace CO2 emissions by increasing hot metal production of the facility. This is no longer a hypothetical scenario, as the first DRI Plant to specifically supply HBI to BFs is nearing completion in Texas, USA. This paper will explore how an integrated steel mill can create a more efficient path to hot metal, significantly reduce emissions, and ensure long term sustainability through the use of HBI.

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