Chinese Iron Research Articles

A soft sensor based on case-based reasoning for iron ores flotation

ABSTRACTConcentrate grade and tailings grade are two vital parameter indexes in a flotation process. To detect the grade succinctly and continuously, a soft sensor based on case-based reasoning (CBR) is proposed. Historic production data is first switched into the form of a case. The case problem includes feed grade, raw ore grade, raw ore ferrous oxide content, raw ore magnetic iron content, target concentrate grade, target tailings grade, dosage of four kinds of reagents; the case solution includes concentrate grade and tailings grade. Simulation result shows that the CBR soft sensor has a higher accuracy and speed in forecasting both concentrate grade and tailings grade when compared with soft sensors supported by other algorithms. The application result in a Chinese iron core dressing mill indicates that the soft sensor presented by this paper causes no damage to people and it can forecast product quality in real-time.

Energy Efficiency of China’s Iron and Steel Industry from the Perspective of Technology Heterogeneity

This paper investigates energy efficiency with the presence of undeniable outputs, efficiency gaps across regions, and determinants of inefficiency of the Chinese Iron and Steel (IS) industry by combining hybrid measure technology and the meta-frontier approach. Empirical results obtained from analyses based on panel data spanning 2010–2015 reveal the necessity of green transition of the IS industry. Simultaneously addressing power supply, environmental impacts, and value creation of energy is still one of the most formidable challenges facing the IS industry nowadays. Moreover, distinct spatial heterogeneity in technology exists extensively across the regions. Energy efficiency of the IS industry in the eastern region performed the best, whereas the central and western areas fell behind due to the intension of managerial failure and expansion of the technology gap. Based on the findings, general and regional-specific policy implications and suggestions are posited.

Combined effect of silica dust exposure and cigarette smoking on total and cause-specific mortality in iron miners: a cohort study

BackgroundBoth cigarette smoking and long-term exposure to crystalline silica dust were reported to be associated with increased mortality. However, the combined effect of both factors has not been well evaluated.MethodsWe investigated a retro-prospective cohort of 7,665 workers from one Chinese iron mine with a median follow-up of 42.8 years. Cumulative silica exposure was estimated for each worker by linking work histories with a job-exposure matrix. Cigarette smoking information was collected through face-to-face questionnaires. Hazard ratios (HRs) for total and cause-specific mortality due to silica exposure and smoking were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsA total of 2,814 deaths occurred during 315,772.9 person-years of follow-up. Significantly elevated mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, non-malignant respiratory disease and lung cancer was observed among silica-exposed workers, while elevated mortality from non-malignant respiratory disease and lung cancer was observed among smokers. Combined exposure to silica dust and cigarette smoking elevated the proportion of mortality and accounted for 21.2, 76.0, 35.7 and 81.4% of all causes, non-malignant respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and lung cancer, respectively. Significant additive joint effects of silica exposure and cigarette smoking on mortality from lung cancer (HR 1.893, 95% CI 0.628 to 3.441) and pneumoconiosis (6.457, 0.725 to 39.114), together with a significant multiplicative joint effect from all causes (1.002, 1.000 to 1.004) were observed.ConclusionsThe present findings indicated that silica exposure in combination with cigarette smoking accounted for a fraction of extra deaths in our cohort. Our research showed the urgent need for smoking cessation and silica control among iron miners.

Analysis of life-cycle GHG emissions for iron ore mining and processing in China—Uncertainty and trends

Total iron ore demand in China grew to 1.1 billion tonnes in 2013 as a result of ongoing urbanization and massive infrastructure development. Iron ore and steel production are major sources for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Since China has committed to lowering carbon intensity to meet climate change mitigation goals, detailed studies of the energy use and GHG emissions associated with iron ore mining and processing can aid in quantifying the impact and effectiveness of emissions reduction strategies. In this study, a life-cycle model for mining and processing of Chinese iron ores is developed and used to estimate GHG emissions. Results show that the mean life-cycle GHG emissions for Chinese iron ore production are 270 kg CO2e/tonne, with a 90% confidence interval ranging from 210 to 380 kg CO2e/tonne. The two largest contributors to overall GHG emissions are agglomeration (60%) and ore processing (23%). Iron content (ore grade) varies from 15% to 60% and is the largest contributor (40%) to the uncertainty of the results. Iron ore demand growth and the depletion of rich ore deposits will result in increased exploitation of lower grade ores with the concomitant increase in energy consumption and GHG emissions.

Intrinsic motivation as a mediator of the relationship between organizational support and quantitative workload and work‐related fatigue

AbstractThe aim of this study is to explore how organizational support and quantitative workload influence work‐related fatigue. We collected 688 questionnaires from product line workers in 6 Chinese iron and steel factories. Confirmatory factor analysis and bootstrapping were used in the data analysis, and structural equation modeling was adopted to test the hypothetical model. The results showed that intrinsic motivation fully mediates the relationship between organizational support and work‐related fatigue, while partly mediating the relationship between quantitative workload and work‐related fatigue. The results of this study indicate the potential benefit of improving motivation to alleviate work‐related fatigue. Finally, this study puts forward suggestions for future studies.

Two-stage efficiency evaluation of production and pollution control in Chinese iron and steel enterprises

Previous studies on the efficiency of traditional iron and steel enterprises have primarily investigated the efficiency of the production phase and have often overlooked the efficiency of pollution controls included in the overall process of iron and steel enterprises. In this study, we investigated the efficiency of the production chain in China and the efficiency of pollution control. In addition, a two-stage model of production and pollution control was established considering undesirable outputs, and the overall efficiency of the iron and steel enterprises were analyzed. From the results, the efficiency of iron and steel enterprises and the efficiency of pollution control were determined to be generally low. Furthermore, pollution control processes were less efficient than production processes, indicating a strong potential for improvement of the efficiency of iron and steel enterprises. Finally, the impact of environmental regulation on the efficiency of iron and steel enterprises formed an “inverted N-type” relationship.

Mineral Processing Residue Use as Substrate in a Modular Engineered Wetland for Wastewater Treatment

Safeguarding the water quality of Poyang Lake, China’s largest freshwater lake, is essential for long-term regional water resource sustainability. The use of locally-available mineral processing residues as reactive substrate in engineered wetlands may provide a cost-effective treatment alternative for mixed agricultural and domestic wastewaters entering Poyang Lake. In this study, Chinese iron- and steel-making slags and a titanium mineral processing residue with high nutrient removal capacity were identified in laboratory experiments. A pilot-scale modular wetland system consisting of free water surface, and vertical and horizontal subsurface flow units, all planted with locally-available vegetation, was constructed at the Poyang Lake Modelling Experiment and Research Base in Jiangxi Province. Assessment of nutrient removal efficiency and effluent water quality was undertaken to inform upscaling and optimization of the modular unit process wetland design. The pilot-scale wetland system removed 55% of inorganic N in influent wastewater and was particularly effective in P attenuation, removing 81% of total P. The environmentally-acceptable pH of wetland system effluents, along with low concentrations of dissolved metals and the absence of potential for either N- or Si-limitation, indicated that the modular wetland system examined was potentially suitable for treatment of mixed wastewater entering Poyang Lake. The use of the selected mineral processing residues as reactive substrate in engineered wetland systems enhanced pollutant removal processes in the modular engineered wetland system, effectively attenuating pollutants in mixed wastewater.

Comparative Analysis of Asian Main Iron and Steel Countries' Total Factor Energy Efficiency

This article evaluates the total factor energy efficiency, energy conservation potential and emission reduction potential of the typical enterprises in the main iron and steel-producing countries such as China, India, Japan and Korea by applying the SBM-desirable DEA model and the SBM-undesirable DEA model. The findings are beneficial for understanding the development status of the main Asian iron and steel-producing countries. The empirical results indicate that the Chinese iron and steel enterprises in the sample made great progress in terms of the total factor energy efficiency. Korea's POSCO and Japan's JFE Group and Nippon Steel enterprise performed the best in terms of energy efficiency, energy conservation and emission reduction. The total factor energy efficiency value of India's Tata Steel is comparatively well. It has completed Jamshedpur Works' brownfield expansion project, which help it add eco-efficient products to its portfolio while using fewer natural resources, less energy and less water per tonne of steel produced.

Using Modified Anti-Dumping Mechanisms for Sustainable Development: The Case of the Chinese Iron and Steel Industry

The impact of the Chinese iron and steel industry (CISI) on the environment demonstrates that the combination of production overcapacity and high emissions production methods present a serious threat to its own sustainability. Despite efforts by the Chinese government through the 13th Five Year Plan (2016-2020) to put its industries on track with sustainable development, industrialists have found ways to elude regulation and their provincial governments have been willingly ignoring such transgressions in the name of regional prosperity. The firms in this industry eventually became large enough to operate autonomously from the central government, sustaining themselves through assistance from provincial governments and direct trade with foreign markets. This report examines the viability of using external measures to realign the CISI and industries of similar characteristics with sustainability. While anti-dumping measures (ADMs) as an external regulatory mechanism are certain to have an impact on CISI, their conventional application remains insufficient. Thus, the modification proposed in this report targets both material injuries to importing economies’ industries and irresponsible production methods that cut costs by means of egregious environmental degradation. As such, this paper provides the basis for a modified approach to ADMs entitled the “tCO2e/t-s Adjusted Dumping Margin” or simply the “Carbon-adjusted Dumping Margin (Carbon-adjusted DM).”

Research on New Technology Development of Reducing Silicon by Iron

A great importance of silco-reduction and increasing of furnace burden to the improvement of iron-making, economic results is analyzed. The present research status of the new technology of raising iron and reducing silicon in Chinese iron and steel enterprises is discussed. The authors discuss how to develop China’s mineral processing industry, and point out the way forward, countermeasures and some concerned problem.

Analysis of the development potential of bulk shipping network on the Yangtze River

ABSTRACTIn the past decades, a multilayer transshipment network of bulk shipping has been formed along the Yangtze River so as to support the fast development of Chinese iron and steel industry. Yet with the decrease of iron ore trade in China since 2014, the bulk port system on Yangtze River probably will be subject to change in the future. Under this background, this paper aims to analyze the development potential of Yangtze River bulk ports system with a focus on iron ore transshipment. To realize this objective, we firstly sort out the main transshipment patterns of bulk shipping, and optimize the bulk-shipping network with an optimization model. Several scenarios are then proposed and examined in the model by changing corresponding parameters. Cooperation among ports as one scenario is analyzed by applying core theory in cooperative game. Based on the changes of transshipment plans observed under the various scenarios, we finally ascertain the different development potentials of the system, and provide suggestions to the port operators and local maritime authorities.

SWOT Analysis of Chinese Iron and Steel Enterprises’ Investment in Vietnam Under the Background of New Policy and Economy in Vietnam

After decades of development, China’s iron and steel industry has made great achievements, steel production has been greatly improved in both quantity and quality with the deepening of economic globalization, the international investment has become an important factor of national economy, for the steel big country like China, foreign investment is a good opportunity for the development of their own. With the close relationship between China and Vietnam, domestic investors are interested in investing in Vietnam, looking for opportunities to invest in Vietnam, however they don’t know much about Vietnam’s investment environment, new policy changes and economic environment in Vietnam, which have an impact on investment decisions. Therefore, this paper briefly describes the policy and economic situation in Vietnam, then according to the investment process of Chinese iron and steel enterprises in Vietnam, it analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of the enterprises, the external environment opportunities, and provides suggestions for Chinese enterprises

Irrational exuberance in the Chinese iron ore market?

ABSTRACTThe rapid run-ups in the Chinese iron ore market in the first half of 2016 have sparked much concern about the appearance of speculative bubbles in this market among many market analysts. Using a recently developed bubble testing procedure, we confirm that there indeed existed periods of irrational exuberance in the Chinese iron ore market. However, most of the bubble periods are short-lived, reflecting the market’s ability to quickly respond to price deviations unjustified by fundamentals. The longest bubble period occurred in mid-2014, corresponding to a period of relatively low trading volume. Using a fractional probit model, we find evidence consistent with the hypothesis that market liquidity may play a role in bubble occurrences.

Oxidation and Induration Characteristics of Pellets Made from Western Australian Ultrafine Magnetite Concentrates and Its Utilization Strategy

Western Australian magnetite concentrates normally have ultrafine granularity and much higher specific surface areas than Chinese magnetite concentrates owing to the significant pre-grinding and beneficiation for saleable iron grade. Such characteristics will inevitably affect the subsequent pelletization process. However, very few investigations have been done before. Thus, the oxidation and induration characteristics of pellet made from a Western Australian ultrafine magnetite concentrate were revealed by conducting routine preheating-roasting tests in an electric tube furnace and investigating the microstructure of fired pellets under an optical microscope in comparison with that of pellets made from typical Chinese magnetite concentrate. The liquidus regions of CaO-SiO2-Fe2CO3 and CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 ternary systems in air at various temperatures were calculated by FactSage software to explain the importance of liquid phase in the consolidation of fired pellets. The results show that pellet made from ultrafine magnetite concentrate possesses better oxidability and preheating performance than that made from Chinese magnetite concentrate. However, it has inferior roasting performance, usually requiring conditions of roasting at 1280 °C for at least 30 min to acquire sufficiently high compressive strength, which are attributed to higher temperature sensitivity caused by its smaller particle size and less formation of liquid phase because of low impurities like CaO and Al2O3 in raw materials. Correspondingly, its roasting performance can be significantly improved by blending with Chinese magnetite concentrates or increasing the pellet basicity (wCaO/wSiO2). By comprehensive evaluation, blending with Chinese iron ore concentrates is an appropriate way to utilize Western Australia ultrafine magnetite concentrates.

Regional technical efficiency of Chinese Iron and steel industry based on bootstrap network data envelopment analysis

This paper analyses the regional technical efficiency of Chinese iron and steel industry from 1996 to 2010 by a network DEA procedure, and provides the smoothed bootstrap network DEA strategy for the sensitivity analysis of the efficiency measure to sampling variation of the estimated frontier. Furthermore, the evolution and convergence characteristics of regional technical efficiency are examined by a dynamic regression model based on different regional divisions of China. The empirical results show that there exist significant geographical differences in the technical efficiency of Chinese iron and steel industry. On the one hand, the technical efficiency of the eastern area, the central area and the western area is unbalanced, with a lower efficiency in the west and a higher one in the east. On the other hand, technical efficiency of Central Bohai, Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta economic zones is higher than that of the other economic zones. In addition, the technical efficiency has a significant improvement during the period of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. Following the convergence notation in economic growth theory, this paper also gives some convergence evidence of the technical efficiency towards the efficient frontier due to the catching-up effect. Finally, this paper explores the determinants of the technical efficiency, and discusses policy implications for Chinese iron and steel industry.

Analysis of iron in-use stocks in China

The continuous rapid increase of steel production and consumption in China since the year 2000 has led to a substantial shift in iron stocks from lithosphere to anthroposphere, making it essential to perform an in-use stock analysis of iron for China. The top-down and bottom-up methods—the most widely used approaches in analyzing in-use metal stocks—are simply introduced. Two other methods, the average use life method and the fixed assets depreciation method, are employed in this study and their results compared. The average use life method is used to analyze Chinese iron in-use stocks and the average age. Some results are obtained: iron in-use stock was 5523.9 million tons in 2013 and average age was relatively high in the period 1993–2000 (about 8.2 years) and dropped after the year 2000. The fixed asset depreciation method is applied to analyze depreciated iron in-use stock and gross domestic product (GDP) generated per unit depreciated iron in-use stock for China. The results demonstrated that the use efficiency of iron in-use stock slowly increased during the period 1993–2002, but has continually decreased since the year 2002. Scenario analysis of future iron in-use stock per capita in China is presented and the corresponding average age and GDP generated per unit depreciated iron in-use stock are calculated.

Non-Heme Iron Absorption and Utilization from Typical Whole Chinese Diets in Young Chinese Urban Men Measured by a Double-Labeled Stable Isotope Technique.

BackgroundThis study was to observe the non-heme iron absorption and biological utilization from typical whole Chinese diets in young Chinese healthy urban men, and to observe if the iron absorption and utilization could be affected by the staple food patterns of Southern and Northern China.Materials and MethodsTwenty-two young urban men aged 18–24 years were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups in which the staple food was rice and steamed buns, respectively. Each subject received 3 meals containing approximately 3.25 mg stable 57FeSO4 (the ratio of 57Fe content in breakfast, lunch and dinner was 1:2:2) daily for 2 consecutive days. In addition, approximately 2.4 mg 58FeSO4 was administered intravenously to each subject at 30–60 min after dinner each day. Blood samples were collected from each subject to measure the enrichment of the 57Fe and 58Fe. Fourteen days after the experimental diet, non-heme iron absorption was assessed by measuring 57Fe incorporation into red blood cells, and absorbed iron utilization was determined according to the red blood cell incorporation of intravenously infused 58Fe SO4.ResultsNon-heme iron intake values overall, and in the rice and steamed buns groups were 12.8 ±2.1, 11.3±1.3 and 14.3±1.5 mg, respectively; the mean 57Fe absorption rates were 11±7%, 13±7%, and 8±4%, respectively; and the mean infused 58Fe utilization rates were 85±8%, 84±6%, and 85±10%, respectively. There was no significantly difference in the iron intakes, and 57Fe absorption and infused 58Fe utilization rates between rice and steamed buns groups (all P>0.05).ConclusionWe present the non-heme iron absorption and utilization rates from typical whole Chinese diets among young Chinese healthy urban men, which was not affected by the representative staple food patterns of Southern and Northern China. This study will provide a basis for the setting of Chinese iron DRIs.

A sustainability assessment system for Chinese iron and steel firms

The environmental impact of the Chinese iron and steel industry is huge due to its high consumption of ore, coal and energy, and water and air pollution. It is important not only for China but also for the rest of the world that the Chinese iron and steel industry becomes more sustainable. A sustainable assessment indicator system is an important tool to support that development. Currently, however, a sustainable assessment system, specifically designed to match the characteristics of Chinese iron and steel firms, is not available. In this paper such a system is proposed and evaluated using data from financial and sustainability reports of four leading Chinese iron and steel firms. The proposed sustainable assessment system is envisaged to help Chinese iron and steel firms to objectively investigate their sustainability performance, provide clear and effective information to decision makers, and support the Chinese iron and steel firms' sustainable development.

Forecast of steel demand and the availability of depreciated steel scrap in China

Economic development has contributed to the rapid expansion of the Chinese iron and steel industry during the past two decades, which has resulted in numerous problems including increased energy consumption and excessive environmental pollution. Steel scrap as an important resource in the steelmaking process is attracting greater attention for its energy efficiency, low carbon emissions, and cyclic regeneration. This study examines changes in crude steel production, steel scrap consumption per ton steel, and steel scrap consumption from 1980 to 2012. A modified IPAT model, which can quantitatively and directly evaluate the influence level of environment, economy, population, technology and national policy on future steel production, is adopted to forecast Chinese steel production from 2010 to 2030. In 2020, the value of steel production and steel stocks per capita are expected to reach 901 million tons and 8.01 tons, respectively. Improved steel-scrap usage will decrease the demand on natural resources and lessen the overall environmental impact. According to steel production forecasts, the calculated scrap ratio will continue to increase from 2020 to 2030 in China, the value of which is expected to reach 0.366 by 2030. Otherwise, two major challenges expected to emerge within the next 20 years are discussed in detail. Finally, several policy suggestions are provided regarding the regulation of steel production and the integrated recycling scrap utilization.

A Study on Overseas Investment Opportunities of Chinese Iron and Steel Enterprises from the Perspective of Globalization Strategy*

The global steel industry is a highly internationalized industry, globalization strategy is the inevitable choice of Chinese steel enterprises to improve the international competitiveness, and many factors make it feasible for Chinese iron and steel enterprises to implement globalization strategy. This paper made an analysis on the overseas investment opportunities of Chinese steel enterprises from the perspective of globalization strategy, involving the resource-based commodity investment, the establishment of overseas production bases and R&D center, controlling trade channels and building strategic alliance, then sketched out the globalization strategy implementation framework of Chinese iron and steel enterprises.