Numerical Study on the Effect of Material Parameters and Process Conditions on the Melting Time of Hydrogen-Direct Reduced Iron

• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-025-03504-z
• Publication Date: 2025-04-04T14:42:31Z
• Authors: Jonas Svantesson; Niklas Kojola; Mikael Ersson

Abstract The melting time of hydrogen direct reduced iron pellets (H-DRI) is a limiting factor for productivity in electric arc furnace steelmaking fossil-free steel. effect material and process parameters on was evaluated under laminar conditions using computational fluid dynamics. study found that the H-DRI primarily determined by properties slag bath its movement, with being secondary. shortest achieved combining high temperature (> 1950 K), viscosity foam 0.1 Pa s), thermal conductivity 0.9 W m −1 K ) slag. With optimal 4.56 seconds observed 10 mm diameter H-DRI, although thicker lower terminal velocity shown to have greater potential complete pellet within Decreasing porosity from 65 50 pct maintained mass increases 4 increasing initial 300 1100 decreases 20 pct. Furthermore, an increased 1850 results approximately 55 reduction due superheat. Forced convection system also significantly reduce H-DRI.