Midrex Technologies Presents & Exhibits at AISTech 2022 in Pittsburgh

One could say that the electric arc furnace (EAF) and direct reduced (DR) have grown up together, “coming of age” in the production of the highest quality steel grades in market-sized quantities. The introduction of the hot discharge furnace led to the development of methods for transporting and charg- ing hot DRI (HDRI) in an EAF to increase productivity and yield, as well as to reduce the need to inject carbon to balance the EAF heat, thus lowering carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

In DR/EAF steelmaking, hot transport/hot charging is an effective means of lowering the cost per ton of liquid steel by reducing power and electrode consumption and increasing EAF productivity. The MIDREX® Shaft Furnace can be equipped with one of the three systems to transfer HDRI to a meltshop: HOTLINK®, Hot Transport Conveyor (HTC), and Hot Transport Vessel (HTV).

In their paper, Voelker and Boyle looked back at the development, history, and two decades of experience to share valuable lessons learned from over 15 operational installations. Additionally, they discussed the advantages and disadvantages of each of the three methods of HDRI transport and explained the key factors that go into selecting the best options for steel- makers.

DIRECT REDUCTION DEALING WITH AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

By Todd Astoria, Director – Research & Development

The steel industry today is faced with exciting opportunities – new fuels, new technologies, and new raw materials – and major challenges, such as the need to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. All of these are provoking discussions of ideas that would not have been possible even a few short years ago.
However, new opportunities carry with them new un- certainties which can complicate decisions that have long investment timelines. The direct reduction of iron ore using MIDREX® Direct Reduction Technology can help navigate these uncertainties by providing unparalleled flexibility of raw materials, fuels and reductants, and metallic products.

In his paper, Astoria discussed the evolving market opportunities and the accompanying uncertainties and showed how MIDREX Direct Reduction Technology can help meet these future challenges.