Metso Outotec launches DRI Smelting Furnace to support decarbonization of the iron and steel industry
Metso Outotec Corporation’s press release on October 25, 2022, at 09:00 a.m. EEST
Metso Outotec is launching the innovative DRI (direct reduced iron) Smelting Furnace to substitute blast furnaces used in iron and steel making. The DRI Smelting Furnace is one of Metso Outotec’s key solutions for decarbonization of the iron and steel industry, which currently produces about 8% of the global carbon dioxide emissions.
“The DRI Smelting Furnace is a true breakthrough technology. It will help the iron and steel industry to reach their CO2 emission reduction targets and limit global warming. The new high-capacity 6-in-line DRI Smelting Furnace is part of Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive offering, which is focused on environmentally efficient technologies,” says Jyrki Makkonen, Vice President, Smelting at Metso Outotec.
“Combined with a direct reduction plant, the DRI Smelting Furnace will substitute blast furnaces in the production of hot metal. This is an optimal solution for primary steel producers aiming for a significant reduction in their CO2 emissions with minimal changes to the rest of the steel plant. The furnace can be integrated with Metso Outotec’s hydrogen-based CircoredTM process or other direct reduction processes,” says Kimmo Vallo, Product Manager, DRI Smelting Furnace at Metso Outotec.
“The DRI Smelting Furnace enables the use of easily available blast furnace-grade iron ore instead of DRI-grade iron ore by managing bigger slag volumes than what scrap melting electric arc furnaces (EAF) are capable of,” explains Timo Haimi, Senior Sales Manager, Smelting at Metso Outotec.
DRI Smelting Furnace technology is based on proven Metso Outotec equipment. The Furnace and related products are complete and ready for implementation. Customer-specific pilot-scale testing will be conducted in the Metso Outotec research facilities to demonstrate large-scale DRI smelting. DRI smelting technology development continues to further optimize the process for customer-specific feed materials and to complement Metso Outotec’s Planet Positive offering for decarbonization of iron and steel industry.
Metso Outotec’s DRI Smelting Furnace provides the following benefits:
- Flexible for any DRI feed
- High productivity with capacity above 1.2 million tpa
- Continuous production of hot metal with high availability and long campaign life
- Capable of handling large slag volumes
- Possibility to change slag chemistry to achieve high iron yields and good-quality slag
- Minimal changes to existing steel plant
- Furnace off-gas can be used as energy or in a carbon capture and storage process
More information about the Metso Outotec DRI Smelting Furnace is available on our website.
Metso Outotec will host two free webinars where the DRI Smelting solution will be discussed in more detail. The events will take place on November 8 at 10:00 a.m. and November 15 at 10:00 a.m. EET. More information on the webinar, including registration details, can be found here.
Further information, please contact:
Kimmo Vallo, Product Manager, DRI Smelting Furnace, Metso Outotec, tel. +358 40 867 2179, email: kimmo.vallo(at)mogroup.com
Timo Haimi, Senior Sales Manager, Smelting, Metso Outotec, tel. +358 40 128 7722, email: timo.haimi(at)mogroup.com
Helena Marjaranta, Vice President, Communications and Brand, Metso Outotec, tel. +358 20 484 3212, email: helena.marjaranta(at)mogroup.com
Metso Outotec is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. By improving our customers’ energy and water efficiency, increasing their productivity, and reducing environmental risks with our product and process expertise, we are the partner for positive change. Metso Outotec is committed to limiting global warming to 1.5°C with Science Based Targets.
Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Metso Outotec employs over 15,000 people in more than 50 countries and its sales for 2021 were about EUR 4.2 billion. The company is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki. mogroup.com, twitter.com/metsooutotec
