Russia Develops New Ironmaking Technology

The Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI) has developed a liquid-phase ironmaking technology that uses a coal-free, coke-free hydrocarbon-mixed reduction process for iron ore. The MPEI research team has successfully developed a new-type reactor device capable of continuously reducing iron ore required for steelmaking solely using natural gas, without relying on traditional coal and coke. This technological breakthrough marks a significant innovation in metallurgical processes.

The application of this technology will drive the transformation of China's steel industry towards import substitution technology. By streamlining multiple energy-intensive production processes, it effectively reduces pollutant emissions and significantly lowers steelmaking costs. Experimental data shows that under different operating conditions, researchers have successfully produced samples with carbon content ranging from 0.006% to 2%. The innovative process can directly reduce iron elements from metallurgical concentrates, bypassing the traditional pig iron smelting stage. By adjusting the intensity of natural gas supply, the entire reduction process can be completed within 12 minutes. Nikolai Rogalev, the President of MPEI, pointed out: "The industrial application of this technology will reduce energy consumption, pollutant emissions, and manufacturing costs in steel production by nearly 50%. These breakthrough benefits stem from the realization of a single-stage continuous iron reduction process." Compared to other known non-blast furnace ironmaking processes, the outstanding advantage of this technology is that it does not require additional equipment for the preparation of reducing gases.

This innovative technology was led by Konstantin Strogonov, an associate professor from the Department of Innovative Technologies for High-Tech Industries at MPEI, and was developed within the framework of the project "Research on the Application of Hydrocarbon-Mixed Iron Reduction Process in Energy-Saving Steelmaking." Through systematic research, the project team has established a complete set of process parameters.