Sponge iron and iron carbide competitive raw materials for high-quality steelmaking

Established sponge iron processes like Midrex, HYL ill and rotary kiln are now facing competition from several new production processes. 8 new process concepts have been suggested, most of them have been tested an a pilot scale, and decisions have been taken to erect production units based on 4 of these. To that should be added plants for production of iron carbide, one in operation and one under construction. Sponge iron and iron carbide have very low levels of metallic contaminants and, in general, low sulfur and phosphorus contents making them very suitable as scrap substitute or supplement in steelmaking. The demand for such steelmaking raw materials is continuously increasing. When produced at a site with a reasonable price of reducing agent, sponge iron andiron carbide are competitive raw materials for high-quality steelmaking. (C) Munksgaard, 1997.