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Decarbonization options of the iron and steelmaking industry based on a three-dimensional analysis

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Abstract

Decarbonization is a critical issue for peaking CO2 emissions of energy-intensive industries, such as the iron and steel industry. The decarbonization options of China’s ironmaking and steelmaking sector were discussed based on a systematic three-dimensional low-carbon analysis from the aspects of resource utilization (Y), energy utilization (Q), and energy cleanliness which is evaluated by a process general emission factor (PGEF) on all the related processes, including the current blast furnace (BF)—basic oxygen furnace (BOF) integrated process and the specific sub-processes, as well as the electric arc furnace (EAF) process, typical direct reduction (DR) process, and smelting reduction (SR) process. The study indicates that the three-dimensional aspects, particularly the energy structure, should be comprehensively considered to quantitatively evaluate the decarbonization road map based on novel technologies or processes. Promoting scrap utilization (improvement of Y) and the substitution of carbon-based energy (improvement of PGEF) in particular is critical. In terms of process scale, promoting the development of the scrap-based EAF or DR—EAF process is highly encouraged because of their lower PGEF. The three-dimensional method is expected to extend to other processes or industries, such as the cement production and thermal electricity generation industries.

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Acknowledgements

This research was financially supported by the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, China (Project Code: 41603006). Mr. Hongfu Li from JIGANG Group Co., Ltd., China is gratefully acknowledged for his helpful comments and discussion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgy, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8579, Japan

    Xin Lu

  2. School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Weijian Tian, Xinjian Li & Hao Bai

  3. China Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute (MPI), Beijing, 100711, China

    Hui Li

  4. Carbon Dioxide Research Division, CISDI Research & Development Co., Ltd., Chongqing, 401122, China

    Kui Quan

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  1. Xin Lu
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Correspondence to Xin Lu or Hao Bai.

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Lu, X., Tian, W., Li, H. et al. Decarbonization options of the iron and steelmaking industry based on a three-dimensional analysis. Int J Miner Metall Mater 30, 388–400 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-022-2475-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-022-2475-7

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