London, 26 June 2019

Primetals Technologies develops breakthrough technology for carbon-free, hydrogen-based direct reduction for iron ore fines

• Only process worldwide directly using iron ore concentrate fines from ore beneficiation with particle sizes of 100% smaller than 0.15 mm
• Low CO2 footprint due to usage of H2 as reduction agent
• Lower Opex and Capex Cost due to no agglomeration step required
• Modular plant design to match varying capacity. Minimum rated capacity of 250,000 tons per year
• Pilot plant will be set up at voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH, Austria in partnership with voestalpine

Primetals Technologies has developed the world's first direct reduction process for iron ore concentrates from ore beneficiation not requiring any preprocessing like sintering or pelletizing. Primetals can resort to the comprehensive experience from the earlier Finmet development and plant installations. The new technology can be applied to all types of beneficiated ore and particle sizes of 100% smaller than 0.15 mm. As primary reduction agent, the new process uses H2 from renewable energy or alternatively H2 rich gases from conventional steam reformers or H2 rich waste gases. This results in a low or even a zero CO2 footprint. The direct reduction plant comes in a modular design with a rated capacity of 250,000 tons per year and module, making it available for all sizes of steel plants. A pilot plant for testing purposes will be set up at voestalpine Stahl Donawitz, Austria and is due to be commissioned in the second quarter of 2020.

The use of DRI/HBI is expected to continue to grow due to the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the growing number of electric arc furnaces in service worldwide. Currently, all available technologies require agglomeration, like pelletizing to produce DRI or HBI. An additional challenge steel producers face, is the reduced quality of iron ore, resulting in the need to beneficiate the iron ores. In order to progress to a CO2-free steel production, a process using mainly H2 is most desirable. The solution developed by Primetals Technologies takes care of all the above considerations.

The pilot plant will consist of three parts: a preheating-oxidation unit, a gas treatment plant and the actual reduction unit. In the preheating-oxidation unit, fine ore concentrate is heated to approx. 900 °C and fed to the reduction unit. The reduction gas H2 is supplied over the fence from a gas supplier. A waste heat recovery system from the off-gas ensures optimal energy use and a dry dedusting system takes care of dust emissions from the processes involved. The hot direct reduced iron (HDRI) leaves the reduction unit at a temperature of approx. 600 °C, which can be subsequently used in an electric arc furnace or to produce Hot Briquetted Iron. The aim of the pilot plant is to verify the break-through process and to serve as a testing facility to provide the data basis for setting up an industrial scale size plant at a later date.

Computer-generated image of a direct reduction plant for iron ore fines developed by Primetals Technologies together with voestalpine Stahl Donawitz. The DR process is CO2-free and H2-based. A pilot plant for testing purposes will be set up at voestalpine Stahl Donawitz, Austria.

Primetals Technologies, Limited, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a pioneer and world leader in the fields of engineering, plant building, and the provision of lifecycle services for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product, and services portfolio that includes integrated electrics and automation, digitalization, and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain—from the raw materials to the finished product—and includes the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partners, with around 7,000 employees worldwide. To learn more about Primetals Technologies, visit the company website www.primetals.com.