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Analysis of iron and steel production paths on the energy demand and carbon emission in China’s iron and steel industry

Author

Listed:
  • Qiang Yue

    (Northeastern University)

  • Xicui Chai

    (Northeastern University)

  • Yujie Zhang

    (Northeastern University)

  • Qi Wang

    (Northeastern University)

  • Heming Wang

    (Northeastern University)

  • Feng Zhao

    (Northeastern University)

  • Wei Ji

    (Northeastern University)

  • Yuqi Lu

    (Northeastern University)

Abstract

China's crude steel output has grown rapidly since 1990, accounting for more than half of worldwide production in 2019. Iron and steel industry (ISI) in China's energy consumption and carbon emissions accounted for a higher proportion. In the context of China's "carbon peak, carbon neutrality", the ISI attaches great importance to energy conservation and emission reduction. The BF-BOF long process is far from meeting the China’s policy needs in terms of energy-saving and emission-reducing targets. Therefore, the short process of EAF based on scrap steel’s recycling and direct reduced iron (DRI)’s production has attracted great attention. The e-p approach and scenarios analysis method were used to research the impact of scrap steel's recycling and DRI's production on energy demand and carbon emissions of China's ISI. By 2050, scenario 4 (30% DRI based on coal gasification–gas plus 70% scrap steel for EAF) will have the lowest energy consumption (1.79 × 1011 kgce) and scenario 3 (30% DRI based on hydrogen plus 70% scrap steel for EAF) will have the lowest carbon emissions (3.42 × 1011 kg). The results show that the short process of EAF based on scrap steel recycling and DRI is an extremely important approach for the sustainable development of China's ISI in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiang Yue & Xicui Chai & Yujie Zhang & Qi Wang & Heming Wang & Feng Zhao & Wei Ji & Yuqi Lu, 2023. "Analysis of iron and steel production paths on the energy demand and carbon emission in China’s iron and steel industry," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 4065-4085, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:25:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s10668-022-02234-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02234-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Chang Liu & Ying Ji & Xinqi Li, 2023. "Closed-Loop Supply Chain Network Design with Flexible Capacity under Uncertain Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-38, October.
    2. Qiu, Ziyang & Sun, Jingchao & Du, Tao & Na, Hongming & Zhang, Lei & Yuan, Yuxing & Wang, Yisong, 2024. "Impact of hydrogen metallurgy on the current iron and steel industry: A comprehensive material-exergy-emission flow analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 356(C).
    3. Chuanbo Zhang & Sihong Cheng & Yali Tong & Guoliang Li & Tao Yue, 2025. "An Approach to CO 2 Emission Reduction in the Iron and Steel Industry: Research Status and Development Trends of Integrated Absorption-Mineralization Technologies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-30, January.
    4. Hao Hao & Haolong Wu & Fangfang Wei & Zhaoran Xu & Yi Xu, 2024. "Scrap Steel Recycling: A Carbon Emission Reduction Index for China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, May.

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