Reoxidation Behavior of the Direct Reduced Iron and Hot Briquetted Iron during Handling and Their Integration into Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking: A Review

This paper studies the integration of direct reduced iron (DRI) and hot briquetted iron (HBI) into the steelmaking process via an electric arc furnace (EAF). Considering a variety of DRI production techniques distinguished by different reactor types, this paper provides a comparative overview of the current state. It delves into significant challenges, such as the susceptibility of DRI to reoxidation and the necessity of thorough handling to maintain its quality. The effectiveness of several reoxidation mitigation strategies, including the application of thin oxide layers, briquetting, various coatings, and nitride formation in ammonia-based reduction processes, is evaluated. Most existing studies have primarily focused on the reoxidation of DRI rather than on HBI, despite the fact that HBI may undergo reoxidation. The importance of DRI/HBI in offering an alternative to the integrated steelmaking route is highlighted, focusing on how it changes the EAF process compared to those for melting scrap. This paper also identifies several research prospects for further DRI/HBI applications in steel production.