7TH EUROPEAN COKE AND IRONMAKING CONGRESS - ECIC 2016

A constantly increasing focus is, nowadays, put on the CO2 and environmental impact of the steel industry, especially in EU and Japan. This can be seen as an unique opportunity for the steel producers to improve their reputation amongst the public community, too often loaded with unjustified prejudices. Even if the measures required to meet the ambitious target of EU to decrease CO2 footprint of steel industry by 50% in 2050 are calling for breakthrough changes in the process route, the incremental and optimized application of existing technologies continuously innovated to maximize their suitability in this new scenario, are an interesting possibility for the steel producers in the mid-term. This paper depicts the various scenarios resulting from the application of Natural gas based and syngas based MIDREX technology within an integrated plant exploiting the possible combinations given by the process gas available and the different process routes to produce liquid steel. An overview on the expected environmental benefits, and on the OPEX of the resulting plant configuration will be provided. Suggestions on how to maximize the reduction of CO2 FOOTPRINT of the Iron-making and steel-making sections in integrated plants though this approach will be explained with quantified examples.