21-07-2012, 04:19 PM
Coal & Steel Facts 2011
Coal & Steel Facts 2011.pdf (Size: 380.57 KB / Downloads: 34)
Steel Production
Global steel production is dependent on coal – around 68% of total global steel production
relies directly on inputs of coal. Around 760Mt of coking coal and Pulverised Coal Injection
(PCI) coals are used in global steel production, which is around 12% of total hard coal
consumption worldwide.
Processes
Currently almost 70% of global steel is produced in Basic Oxygen Furnaces (BOF). Coking
coal is converted to coke, which is then used in the blast furnace to smelt iron ore. The
resulting molten iron is then taken to the BOF, where steel scrap and limestone are added. A
stream of high purity oxygen is blown through the molten bath to remove impurities, leaving
almost pure liquid steel.
About 770 kg of coal are required to produce 1 tonne of steel in this production route.
A further 29% of steel is produced in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF); much of the electricity
used in this process is generated from coal-fired power stations.
About 150 kg of coal are required to produce 1 tonne of steel in Electric Arc Furnaces.