Metso said the Circored plant is based on its proprietary technology which enables continuous prereduction using hydrogen as the only reducing agent. It uses preheating, reduction, gas cleaning and recirculation systems for hydrogen and dust. It also has electric heaters to support almost zero-carbon operation. 

“This pilot plant is a significant step in demonstrating the readiness of the Circored™ technology. It allows us to validate process parameters and support our customers in their transition to low-carbon steelmaking,” said Parizat Pandey, director of direct reduced iron (DRI) at Metso. 

A wide range of iron ore types can be tested, providing process data for engineering future commercial-scale plants and helping define the operating window for different ore qualities, the company said. 

The Cicored direct reduction process can be integrated with Metso’s DRI smelting furnace or similar smelting technologies.