Next-generation ironmaking process: ITmk3

Kobe Steel Group Companies have announced that their ITmk3 plant can produce high-grade iron with lower-cost iron ore in 10 min which emits 20% less CO2 emission. If this is true, then this technology is really useful for human beings.

World's first commercial ITmk3 plant successfully begins production - Next-generation ironmaking process produces high-purity iron nuggets (January 14, 2010)

TOKYO, January 14, 2010 - Kobe Steel, Ltd. announces that the world's first commercial plant using the ITmk3® Process successfully began production of iron nuggets in the United States on January 12 at 6:00 pm CST. The next-generation ITmk3 Process was developed by Kobe Steel.

1. High-grade iron nuggets can be produced in an extremely short time of about 10 minutes.
2. The ITmk3 Process can use lower-cost iron ore fines and steaming coal, which are difficult to use in blast furnace ironmaking.
3. In comparison to pig iron produced in a blast furnace, the production of iron nuggets using the ITmk3 Process emits about 20% less carbon dioxide due to its good energy efficiency.

神戶製鋼開發新煉鋼法－活用低純度鐵礦石、縮短時間、減低CO2
神戶製鋼所最近發表了不使用高爐，而是利用獨自煉鋼技術的商用第一號成套設備，在美國明尼蘇達州開始進行運轉。
　以往的高爐結構是從爐的上方倒入鐵礦石慢慢溶化，再將化為液體的鐵從下方取出。此公司花了十五年開發的新方式「ITmk3」是將不適合高爐的低品質鐵礦石和粉煤凝具成粒狀物，在直徑60m的回轉爐加熱溶化，生產分離礦渣後的粒鐵（照片）。在粒鐵中含有96%～97%的鐵質，和用高爐生產的銑鐵相比，其優良的品質不分上下。其次，在高爐的煉鋼過程需要長達8小時，而用此新方式則只需10分鐘即可完成，還可減少20%二氧化碳（CO2）的排放量。
　因新興國家的經濟成長等，鋼鐵的需要量急遽增加，迫切需要良質鐵礦石的可能性極高。該公司以通過低品質原料的活用和因此連帶原料成本的降低、對環境的關懷等為武器，主要是銷售給新興國家的電爐廠家和礦山公司為其目標。

詢問處：神戶製鋼所秘書廣報部
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