ABSTRACT

International Metals Reclamation Company, a subsidiary of IN CO in Canada, has introduced a new ironmaking process based on a rotary hearth furnace. The process utilizes iron oxide fines and coal fines for producing hot briquetted iron, hot metal, cold pig iron, or crude steel, depending upon the specific requirements. Based on extensive market studies on the application of direct reduction processes, MIDREX concluded that in countries lacking adequate availability of natural gas, a need existed for a coal-based ironmaking technology. Compared to other coal-based ironmaking processes, it has a low environmental impact. In most of the ironmaking processes, 80 to 90% of the production cost is tied to the cost of raw materials, energy, and capital investment. Thus, any significant breakthrough in ironmaking economics is likely to be made in these three areas.