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The latest in the IIMA OBMs and carbon-neutral steelmaking series has been released: Whitepaper 8: Optimum EAF feedstock selection for maximum steel decarburization
This paper is in follow-up to IIMA’s whitepaper 2, “Future Challenges for the EAF process” - an assessment of future challenges for the EAF process resulting from efforts to reduce the carbon footprint. Both are written by Jeremy A.T. Jones, Continuous Improvement Experts, LLC and IIMA advisor.
Much attention is being placed on EAF technology as a means of transitioning to lower carbon footprint steelmaking. However, as one begins to evaluate the opportunities that the EAF brings to this endeavour, one quickly realizes that the future of EAF technology is closely entwined with the selection of raw materials that we utilize to make the steel.
Many steelmakers are considering a process path consisting of direct reduction followed by the EAF. However, the availability of high-grade iron ore to support this transition is in question. The iron and steel industry is about to hit a crisis, due to increasing residual levels in scrap and declining generation rates for high quality prompt scrap.
Ore based metallics (OBM) play a critical role in diluting scrap residual levels and enabling the recycle of steel scrap. Ferrous feedstocks impact directly on EAF productivity, yield and efficiency. In order to utilize raw materials more effectively, the steelmaker needs to have a better understanding of the raw material properties.
Ultimately, the steelmaker wants Fe units, everything else other than alloys has no real benefit to the steelmaking operation. Ultimately, as will be shown in this paper, scrap quality is integral to controlling carbon footprint, improving circularity and providing a sustainable steel industry.