Introduction of Steelmaking Process with Resource Recycling

Abstract

Steel scrap does not need reduction energy, unlike iron ore. Therefore, it is efficient in terms of recycling steel resources and suppressing CO2 gas emissions when melting large quantities of scrap. Various methods of melting scrap with converter have been reported, including a heat supply method and a steelmaking process using scrap melting, and scrap melting has been shown to be superior in terms of energy consumption. In 1993, Hirohata Works of Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation commercially established a new process, called scrap melting process (SMP). The SMP utilizes steel scrap as its principal metal source to produce hot metal saving the reduction energy of iron ore. The SMP has served as the core process to recycle raw materials and fuels including waste tires. This article describes the scrap melting process, dust-reduction process and waste-tire recycling technology as core technologies and outlines Hirohata’s activities to recycle resources and the environmentally friendly technology that support these activities.