Material and energy flow through the UK iron and steel sector. Part 1: 1954–1994

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports on a historical materials and energy flow analysis of the UK steel sector. The flow of raw materials, steel, steel products and steel scrap are quantified for the period from 1954 to 1994. On the basis of this analysis, the authors calculate the consumption of exergy (or available energy) associated with the UK steel sector taking into account steel production, transport, generation of waste steel, trade and recycling. The study finds that overall exergy consumption in the sector has declined almost twofold from 700 to 380 PJ p.a. over the study period, indicating a similar reduction in resource consumption. This is mainly due to improvements in the exergetic efficiency of steel production and the phasing out of the less-efficient open hearth method. Contrary to the overall decline, the amount of waste steel and the transportation exergy consumption due to the import of raw materials has increased significantly. There appears to be considerable potential, therefore, to reduce resource consumption in the steel sector still further by increasing the recovery of post-use scrap.