Prof Julian Steer - ‘Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Ironmaking Process’

WMG - Materials Colloquium - March '21

Dr Julian Steer, from the Cardiff University, talk about the ‘Opportunities to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the Ironmaking Process’.



Abstract:

With the implementation of new and tightening emissions targets to reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, the focus for these reductions has broadened significantly from power generation to include other areas such as iron and steel.

This sector already makes a significant contribution to overall emissions, and considering the forecast is for steel volumes to increase in the future, it is clear that the industry will need to address this as a matter of urgency. Iron production is dominated globally by the blast furnace process. It is based on the use of carbon as a reductant, in the form of coke and coal, and where it is used it contributes to a large proportion of the emissions from this sector.

This talk will investigate options for iron makers to reduce the emissions by improving efficiency; using alternative reductants and feedstocks; and the scope for modifying the process and its outputs. It will also explore the limitations for improving the blast furnace, and whether some of the many alternative methods which are being considered will determine if this will result in an evolution, or a revolution, for modern Ironmaking.