Groundbreaking Ironmaking Breakthrough in China Increases Productivity by 3,600 Times

According to the researchers, this new ironmaking method boosts productivity by over 3,600 times, dramatically speeding up the process.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): After over a decade of research, China has developed a groundbreaking ironmaking technology that could transform global steel production.

Conventional blast furnaces require vast amounts of coke derived from coal and take approximately five to six hours to complete the ironmaking process. This new technology, flash ironmaking, can complete the ironmaking process in three to six seconds.

The process involves injecting finely ground iron ore powder into a superheated furnace, causing an explosive chemical reaction. This creates glowing iron droplets that collect at the furnace’s bottom, producing high-purity iron. This iron can be directly used for casting or one-step steelmaking, significantly improving efficiency and reducing the need for multiple production stages.

According to the researchers, this new ironmaking method boosts productivity by over 3,600 times, dramatically speeding up the process. Additionally, it is highly effective for using low or medium-yield ores, which are abundant in China, making it a game-changer for local resources and global steel production.

 The team also revealed that this new ironmaking technology could improve energy efficiency in China’s steel industry by over one-third, further enhancing its environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness. It is also expected to enable the steel industry to achieve the coveted goal of ‘near-zero carbon dioxide emissions.’

One of the biggest technical hurdles in developing flash ironmaking was designing the ore-spraying lance, which disperses iron ore in a high-temperature, high-reducibility environment to trigger the explosive reaction.

The team overcame this challenge by creating a vortex lance with exceptional uniform distribution, capable of injecting 450 tonnes of iron ore per hour. A reactor with three such lances can produce up to 7.11 million tonnes of iron annually. The lance technology is already in commercial production, marking a major milestone in the process.

Professor Zhang Wenhai, an academician of the prestigious Chinese Academy of Engineering, said, “The completed laboratory and pilot tests have proven the feasibility of the process.”

The team published their paper in the peer-reviewed journal Nonferrous Metals in November.

 Courtesy: www.techexplorist.com

• GLE Scrap Metal Strengthens its aluminium Recycling Capabilities with Mallin Cos. Partnership
• Researchers Develop World’s Most Efficient Enzyme for Plastic Recycling
• Mako to Acquire Moss Gold Mine in Arizona
• January 2, 2025: Scrap Gold, Silver and Platinum Prices Flat on the Index