THEMATIC SECTION: SUSTAINABLE IRON AND STEELMAKINGDiversification of the Ironmaking Process Toward the Long-Term Global Goal for Carbon Dioxide Mitigation

摘要

The Paris Agreement declares to hold the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels in 2050. The agreement includes the commitment to deliver long-term low-carbon development strategies. Accordingly, global warming has been regarded as a crucial issue in every industry. Since the long-term target was set on the basis of the Paris Agreement, innovative technologies to realize CO_2 mitigation in 2050 are desired, including in the steel industry. Until now, many various technology developments have been carried out in the ironmaking area; however, more advanced progress beyond the past progressive developments is required in order to attain the long-term target in 2050. In addition to modification of the current blast furnace process, the ironmaking process will be diversified, and new concepts such as CCU (CO_2 Capture and Utilization) process in collaboration with chemical industry and hydrogen-based ironmaking utilizing CO_2-free renewable energy aiming at CDA (Carbon Direct Avoidance) will be pursued in order to intensify CO_2 mitigation. This review focuses on the evaluation of the current technology development to date and the design of an ambitious ironmaking process for the future.