Method for producing directly reduced iron for ironmaking and steelmaking plants

By using ammonia to produce a hydrogen-containing reducing gas for direct reduction, the process effectively reduces CO2 emissions in DRI production, addressing the challenge of high emissions and enabling green hydrogen use in diverse regions.

JP7893864B2Active Publication Date: 2026-07-22LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024515574
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-09-13
Filing Date
2022-05-06
Publication Date
2026-07-22
Estimated Expiration
2042-05-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing direct reduction processes for producing DRI emit high levels of CO2, and there is a need to reduce these emissions, particularly in regions lacking abundant renewable energy sources for producing green hydrogen.

Method used

A process that uses ammonia to generate a hydrogen-containing reducing gas through dissociation, which is then used to reduce iron oxide in a direct reduction reactor, with nitrogen acting as a ballast gas to minimize NOx formation and ammonia being sourced from low-carbon or renewable hydrogen.

Benefits of technology

This approach significantly reduces CO2 emissions by up to 95% compared to traditional methods, enabling the widespread use of green hydrogen in iron and steel production even in regions lacking abundant renewable energy.

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Abstract

1. A direct iron ore reduction process, in which an NH3-containing gas feed (24a) is fed to a gas reformer (25) where it is reformed to obtain a hydrogen-containing reducing gas (25a, 25b), at least a portion of which is fed to a direct reduction reactor (1) where iron ore (2) is subjected to direct reduction with the reducing gas (25a, 25b) to obtain directly reduced iron (30), and during reforming of the hydrogen-containing reducing gas (25a), NH3 in the gas feed (24a) is subjected to the dissociation reaction 2NH3 → N2 + 3H2.
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

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    CN112813219A

  • Continuous production of reduced iron and device used for said production

    JP1983071314A

  • Method for direct reduction ironmaking, and apparatus for production of reducing gas therefor

    JP2012007213A

  • Autothermal ammonia decomposition method

    JP2020531388A

  • Device for producing directly reduced iron and process for producing directly reduced iron

    WO2014189109A1