Direct reduction of mixed magnetite and coal pellets using induction heating

A low-temperature process for iron-making, using mixed pellets of magnetite and domestic coal with an organic binder was investigated. Reduction tests performed in an induction furnace resulted in a product direct reduced iron (DRI) containing 75 - 80% metallic iron. The coal energy consumption of 23.71 GJ/ton DRI compares favorably with current DRI processes, although the total energy consumption of 33.65 GJ/ton is relatively high for iron-making. The use of low-grade coal as a reductant may improve the economics of the process as high-grade coking coal supplies dwindle worldwide.