Simultaneous Metallization And Dri Carburization In Dr Shaft Furnaces: A Sustainable Ironmaking Process

The Direct Reduction processes are one of the most consolidated ironmaking technologies, particularly the DR shaft furnaces process, which amounts to more than 65% of the world DRI production. An important aspect is their low gaseous emission impact as compared with other ironmaking technologies, due to their top gas recycling feature, aiming to generate the reductant gases CO and H2 throughout the catalyzed reforming reactions between Natural Gas and CO2 or steam. Another significant technological aspect refers to the DRI carburization, which also plays a key role on the carbon process footprint, due to the electrical energy abatement on the further EAF steelmaking refining step. In this context, both the gas recycling and DRI carburization confer an undeniable sustainability differential to the DR shaft furnace process. The present communication deals with these issues, focusing the cooperative research programs between PUC-Rio University / Iron & Steelmaking Group and steelwork companies, ranging from experimental laboratories to applied mathematical models. KEYWORDS: Direct Reduction; Ironmaking; DRI Carburization; Mathematical Models