Rising and failure of gas-based direct reduction processes

Abstract

The first industrial application of direct reduced iron (DRI) production was Wiberg-Soderfors' DRI shaft furnace process. The history of development and implementation of various gas-based direct reduction processes was studied. The strength and weakness of this processes were evaluated. It was shown that the economics of the direct reduction process depends on cost of raw material and reducing agent, reliability of equipment and strict application of direct reduction principles. This paper evaluates the successes and failures of DRI gas-based processes.