MODEL-BASED ENERGY ANALYSIS OF AN INTEGRATED MIDREX-BASED IRON/STEEL PLANT

Abstract

This article presents modeling and simulations of an integrated plant for the production of steel using the direct reduced iron (DRI)/electric arc furnace (EAF) route. In a previous work (Alhumaizi et al., 2012), a comprehensive mathematical model of an iron plant based on MIDREX technology was developed, validated, and simulated. In this article, the model is extended to account for an empirical model of an EAF plant. Numerical simulations were carried out for the effect of different operating parameters of the integrated plant. Useful profiles as well as a summary table were compiled to illustrate the results of the sensitivity analysis. Key performance indicators of the plant include metallization degree and operating costs of the DRI and of the EAF as well as the total operating cost of the plant. The analysis allows the identification of operating parameters that can lead to a more profitable operation of the plant.

Keywords:

• Cost analysis
• Direct reduced iron
• Electric arc furnace
• MIDREX
• Modeling
• Simulations

Notes

+: increases, –: decreases, Max: exhibits a maximum, Min: exhibits a minimum.