Mass and energy based modelling of EAF steelmaking scenarios using scrap and hydrogen reduced DRI as raw materials

Abstract

Pressure for radical reduction of CO2 emission in steel industry favours EAF steelmaking using scrap and hydrogen reduced iron (H2DRI) as raw material over traditional blast furnace-based production. The increase in EAF-based production will undoubtedly affect on demand of raw materials. However, the availability of H2DRI will not allow 100% H2DRI-based production immediately. On the other hand, increasing share of EAF production in steelmaking yields increase in scrap demand. Therefore, different scenarios of steelmaking are likely to appear where variable mixture of scrap and H2DRI will be used in EAF. The ratio of different raw materials (scrap and H2DRI) will affect various process parameters such as the quality of molten steel, energy consumption of the process, amount of slag, CO2 emissions. Mass and energy balance modelling provides a suitable way of studying possible future EAF steelmaking concepts. In this study, a set of scenarios were studied using a mass and energy balance based model with HSC Sim thermodynamic software. The model as well as the studied scenarios were constructed based on data available in the literature supported with industrial and experimental data. The main interest in the study was on energy consumption and CO2 emissions when using scrap and H2DRI in multiple ratios and in different temperatures as a raw material.