Process Gas Compressor Flow Control – For Hot Briquetted Iron

In 2020, the largest North American producer of flat-rolled steel completed a new direct reduction plant. The plant produces Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI), a versatile iron source needed to produce steel in electric arc furnaces, basic oxygen furnaces, and blast furnaces. The plant has a closed loop gas circuit that dedusts, compresses, and reheats the gas. Natural gas is also added to the loop. To achieve the highest quality HBI product, optimum process control of product temperature and furnace atmosphere is required.