Flash Ironmaking Hits Combustion Wall Amid Steel’s Decarbonization Shift - CleanTechnica

The article examines the prospects and challenges of flash ironmaking as a pathway for steel decarbonization amid shifting global steel demand, particularly due to China’s declining infrastructure growth. Flash ironmaking, developed from early 2000s research led by Professor Hong Yong Sohn, aims to revolutionize iron production by directly reducing fine iron ore particles rapidly, bypassing energy-intensive steps like cokemaking and pelletizing. This technology has demonstrated potential for significant energy savings—up to 60%—and carbon dioxide emissions reductions exceeding 50% compared to conventional blast furnaces, making it an attractive alternative for reducing steel’s environmental footprint. However, despite these promising attributes, the article highlights intrinsic limitations tied to flash ironmaking’s dependence on combustion to achieve the ultra-high temperatures required for rapid reduction reactions. The process typically relies on burning natural gas, biomethane, or hydrogen with pure oxygen, which inherently produces emissions and constrains the extent of decarbonization achievable. While flash ironmaking reduces emissions intensity