Principles and support technologies of low-carbon ironmaking for blast furnace

The iron and steel industry currently continues to be dominated by blast furnace production, and fossil fuels burning makes it a major carbon consumer, emitter, and polluter. Under the global dual carbon background, the heightened awareness of climate change and environmental protection, coupled with the strengthening of carbon tax policies, has intensified the pressure on the steel industry to lower carbon emissions. Considering factors including asset preservation and the maturity of technology, the low-carbon technology of blast furnace processes is currently the most direct and efficient technical measure to lower carbon emissions. Therefore, lowering the energy consumption in the blast furnace ironmaking process to obtain energy saving and consumption reduction in iron and steel enterprises has been an urgent problem that must be addressed. Firstly, this study introduces the technical principles of low-carbon ironmaking in blast furnace, and explores the potential pathways for energy saving and consumption reduction. Then, the research and application status of key technologies, including the processing and preparation of iron-containing raw materials, the preparation of low-carbon smelting fuel and injection technology, are detailed. Important roles they play in reducing pollution and carbon emissions are also expounded. Finally, the influence of operation technology on blast furnace gas flow distribution and gas utilization rate is summarized. In addition, the industrial practice of the world's only HyCROF is detailed, the potential of its energy saving and consumption reduction is clarified, and the new development direction of low-carbon technology is prospected.