Plasma reduction of iron oxide by methane gas and its process up-scaling

This paper investigates the characteristics of the methane plasma reduction of iron ore in comparison to that of the hydrogen plasma reduction process. Although hydrogen plasma smelting reduction (HPSR) has potential advantages as a steelmaking alternative in terms of simplicity (less operation units) and less harmful detrimental environmental implications, its high cost has a negative influence on its usage. In this regard, natural gas (> 96 % methane) could be adopted in the field of plasma smelting reduction. A brief comparison between hydrogen and methane options has been carried out experimentally. Heat and mass balance models were conducted to explore the features of up-scaled processes with respect to consumption figures and CO2 emissions. It was found that the methane plasma is a good alternative iron oxide smelting process.