"Suchasna Elektrometallurgiya" (Electrometallurgy Today), 2025, #3, 59-63 pages
Industrial technologies for out-of-blast furnace reduction of iron from ores and prospects of using hydrogen for the reduction processes
V.O. Shapovalov1, V.G. Mogylatenko1,2, D.M. Zhyrov1, V.R. Burnashev1
1E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the NAS of Ukraine
11 Kazymyr Malevych Str., 03150, Kyiv, Ukraine.
E-mail: shapovalov@paton.kiev.ua
2National Technical University of Ukraine «Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute»
37 Prospect Beresteiskyi, 03056, Kyiv, Ukraine. E-mail: vmogilatenko@gmail.com
Abstract
Application of a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen allows achieving a significant lowering of carbon dioxide
gas emissions in metallurgy. Industrial technologies of out-of-blast furnace reduction of iron from ore raw materials are
considered. Reactions in the reduction processes are analyzed. It is shown that at temperatures above 800 °C hydrogen
is a more effective reducing agent than carbon monoxide. Ways to improve the energy efficiency of existing technologies
have been demonstrated. It is shown that today the main technology of iron reduction from ore is reduction in
shaft furnaces using a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The generalized scheme of production of iron by direct
reduction is given. It is shown that in the production of direct reduction iron, it is possible to halve carbon dioxide
emissions compared to the use of natural gas due to application of hydrogen, provided that power is produced from
renewable sources or in nuclear power plants. It is concluded that a promising way to eliminate carbon emissions during
the reduction of iron from ore or pellets is the use of plasma technologies. 14 Ref, 2 Tabl., 1 Fig.
Keywords: direct reduction of iron, hydrogen, shaft furnace, carbon dioxide emissions
Received: 26.05.2025
Received in revised form: 25.06.2025
Accepted: 12.07.2025
References
1. Isnaldi, R. Souza Filho, Hauke Springer et al. (2022) Green steel
at its crossroads: hybrid hydrogen-based reduction of iron ores.
https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2201/2201.13356.pdf
2. Giovannini, S. (2020) 50 shades of (grey and blue and green)
hydrogen puzzled by all the colours and argon? This article is
for you. Energy Cities. https://energy-cities.eu
3. Kolisnichenko, V. (2023) Global production of cast iron grew
by 1.1 % in 2023. https://gmk.center/ua/news/globalne-virobnictvo-chavunu-u-2023-roci-zroslo-na-1-1-r-r/
4. (2023) World Direct Reduction Statistics. https://www.midrex.com/wp-content/uploads/MidrexSTATSBook2023.pdf
5. The MIDREX Process — The world’s most reliable and productive
Direct Reduction Technology. https://www.midrex.com/wp-content/uploads/MIdrex_Process_Brochure_4-12-18.pdf
6. Pauluzzi, D., Giraldo, A.H., Zugliano, A. et al. (2021) CFD
Study of an Energiron Reactor Fed With Different Concentrations
of Hydrogen. AISTech Iron & Steel Technology.
https://www.energiron.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/MARCH-2021_AIST-IRON-STEEL-TECHNOLOGY.pdf
7. Pauluzzi, D., Martinis, A. Sustainable decrease of CO2
Emissions in the Steelmaking Industry by Means of the
Fine Ore Direct Reduction Circored Energiron Direct
Reduction Technology. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329059091_SUSTAINABLE_DECREASE_OF_CO2_EMISSIONS_IN_THE_STEELMAKING_INDUSTRY_BY_MEANS_OF_THE_ENERGIRON_DIRECT_REDUCTION_TECHNOLOGY
8. https://www.metso.com/globalassets/pdfs-and-other-downloads/circored---fine-ore-direct-reduction.pdf
9. Pochtariov, O.V. (2024) Improvement of technological means
of quality control of iron ore raw materials in underground
mining: Syn. of Thesis for PhD. Kryvorizh. Nats. Un-t.
Kryvyi Rig.
10. Bondarenko, B.I., Shapovalov, V.A., Garmash, N.I. (2003)
Theory and technology of coke-free metallurgy. Kyiv, Naukova
Dumka
11. Gubin, G.V., Piven, V.O. (2010) Modern commercial methods
of iron coke-free metallurgy. Kryvyi Rig.
12. Hotlink System. Benefits of Charging Hot Dri (HDRI). https://www.midrex.com/wp-content/uploads/Hot_Transport_-_HOTLINK.
pdf
13. Zhyrov, D.M. (2011) Peculiarities of the plasma-arc liquid-
phase reduction of iron with gases: Syn. of Thesis for
Cand. of Tech. Sci. Degree. Kyiv, PWI.
14. Mogylatenko, V.G., Shapovalov, V.O., Biktagirov, F.K., Kozin,
R.V. (2023) Thermal decomposition of hematite pellets
during plasma-arc smelting in argon atmosphere. In: Proc. of
XVth Inter. Sci.-Tech. Conf. on New Materials and Technologies
in Mechanical Engineering, 27–28 April 2023. Kyiv,
KPI, 23–29.
15. https://foundry.kpi.ua/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/conferenziya_2023.pdf
Advertising in this issue: