Direct reduction of alloy metals 2
DRAM2
Today, most metal alloys are made in two stages. Both stages are highly energy- and carbon-intensive. The first stage produces precursors, such as iron, and simple mixtures of metals. The second stage melts metals together at high temperatures to produce alloys. To eliminate these energy- and carbon dioxide-intensive stages, we propose a disruptive approach of mixing oxide powders and reducing them in hydrogen to form the alloy in a single, low temperature step. This saves energy and eliminates carbon-based reduction. Our approach has been demonstrated on a lab scale for iron-nickel and copper-nickel alloys. The novelty in this proposal is to show that the process can be applied to many more alloys and at larger scales. The outcomes will be a basis to radically reduce greenhouse gas emissions during production of alloys.We shall also develop a flexible tool to quantify energy and greenhouse gas savings, for use in optimising other processes that are also vital to Sweden.
Funding agency
Beginning and end dates
5 February 2024 to 31 July 2026
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