Siemens has completed a life cycle assessment for pig iron production, looking at both conventional production in a blast furnace and the more environmentally friendly COREX and FINEX processes.

According to Siemens, its study is the first to focus in depth on individual environmental impact factors including the consumption of resources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Siemens claims the COREX and FINEX processes can substantially reduce pollutant emissions particularly in emerging markets, when compared to traditional steel production, with its blast furnace and coking and sintering facilities.

The Siemens-developed COREX and FINEX processes work without coke and sinter, resulting in fewer pollutant emissions.

The new life cycle assessment analyses each individual step in the production process, from the extraction and transport of iron ore and coal to the re-use of byproducts. The environmental impact is calculated on the basis of the quantity of pollutants that are released.

The gas produced in the COREX process is re-used to generate power, so less additional electricity is needed. In the FINEX process the gas is reused within the production facility.

(Sourced from metalworker.com.au)