A Multi-Scale View of Scalability Challenges in H2-Direct Iron Reduction

While steel is ubiquitous, steelmaking contributes 8% of the global CO2 footprint; direct iron reduction (DIR) is a promising low-carbon process, but scaling challenges require fundamental science insights. Using operando X-ray and electron measurements, the authors have directly resolved the kinetics and multi-scale structural dynamics for H2-based DIR. Focusing on ore fines, the authors mapped the T-dependent atomic-scale chemistry showing a change in mechanism and connected this to hierarchical 3D sintering that was mapped in real time during the reaction. The studies demonstrate the complex link between mechanics, chemistry and mass transport that are essential to reactor designs.

Leora Dresselhaus-Marais | Stanford University