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Steel: this method produces liquefied iron 3600 times faster
Issued at 2024-12-18
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Chinese researchers have developed a new method for producing liquefied iron, called "flash iron-making," which is not only faster but also more environmentally friendly. This process could revolutionize the global steel industry, particularly for steel production.
Professor Zhang Wenhai and his team have developed a method in which iron ore is pulverized and injected at high speed into an extremely hot furnace. This reaction creates droplets of liquid iron that fall to the bottom of the furnace, allowing liquefied iron to be produced in record time.
Traditionally, steel is produced by heating iron ore in large furnaces, with the addition of coal by-products to transform it into pig iron. This process, which takes several hours, could soon be replaced by a much faster technique that accomplishes the task in just a few seconds.
Professor Zhang Wenhai and his team have developed a method in which iron ore is pulverized and injected at high speed into an extremely hot furnace. This reaction creates droplets of liquid iron that fall to the bottom of the furnace, allowing liquefied iron to be produced in record time.
The main advantage of this innovation is its incredible speed. While the traditional method takes five to six hours, this process produces liquefied iron, and subsequently steel, in just three to six seconds. This represents an impressive productivity gain—3600 times faster than conventional techniques.
In addition to its speed, this method is also more environmentally friendly. It significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the steelmaking industry, representing a major step forward in the global efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Another unique aspect of this process is that it works equally well with low-grade iron ore, which is abundant in China, as well as with higher-grade ores that the country has until now imported in large quantities. This shift could make China less reliant on imports from Australia, Brazil, or Africa.
This technical advancement is not only about saving time. It could also cut the energy costs associated with steel production by a third—a major advantage for China, the world's largest steel producer.
This innovation still has room for technical improvement. One of the key components of the process is the vortex lance, which enables large quantities of finely ground ore to be injected into the furnace. The researchers hope that this method will quickly become a standard in the steel industry.
The traditional manufacturing process begins with the extraction of iron ore, which is then heated in a high-temperature furnace. This process extracts the iron, which is then refined to produce steel. The entire process can take several hours.
With recent advancements like the method described above, this production could be accelerated dramatically.
In addition to its speed, this method is also more environmentally friendly. It significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the steelmaking industry, representing a major step forward in the global efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Another unique aspect of this process is that it works equally well with low-grade iron ore, which is abundant in China, as well as with higher-grade ores that the country has until now imported in large quantities. This shift could make China less reliant on imports from Australia, Brazil, or Africa.
This technical advancement is not only about saving time. It could also cut the energy costs associated with steel production by a third—a major advantage for China, the world's largest steel producer.
This innovation still has room for technical improvement. One of the key components of the process is the vortex lance, which enables large quantities of finely ground ore to be injected into the furnace. The researchers hope that this method will quickly become a standard in the steel industry.
What is steel, and how is it produced?
Steel is a metal used in many industries for its strength and durability. It is made from iron ore, which is transformed in a blast furnace.The traditional manufacturing process begins with the extraction of iron ore, which is then heated in a high-temperature furnace. This process extracts the iron, which is then refined to produce steel. The entire process can take several hours.
With recent advancements like the method described above, this production could be accelerated dramatically.
Source: techno-science.net
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