Iron production by hydrogen plasma

Abstract

Traditionally, Iron is produced from reduction of different high/medium grade iron ores by carbothermic reduction using carbon, which is mainly obtained from coking coals. The use of coal produces a large amount of CO2. Also, the ironmaking process consists of several steps which require huge investments for large space and equipments. Due to the shortage of high/medium grade iron ore, coking coal, large-scale investments and tighter environmental regulations, there is an immediate search for an alternate reductant. Hydrogen plasma (HP) stands as a suitable alternative reductant, which offers solutions to these problems. HP is obtained hydrogen gas (H2), which is available in large quantities in water and is collected from splitting of water. HP consists of ro-vibrationally excited molecular (H2*), atomic (H), and ionic hydrogen (H+), which can reduce the iron oxides, even at low temperatures. In comparison to the reduction by coal, HP offers thermodynamic and kinetic advantages. Also, the reaction product is water, which is environmentally benign. The process has extensive potential with respect to the techno-economic feasibility. Due to the elimination of multiple processes like pelletisation, cokemaking, sintering, etc., the new process requires less energy Due to the several advantages, production of iron by hydrogen plasma is going to be the future of ironmaking. This paper reports a brief overview of the successful research of the iron oxide reduction by hydrogen plasma - a new process for iron production.