Transforming steelmaking into an environmentally sustainable industry: development of breakthrough extraction and refining technologies

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This proposal describes the plan for the development of breakthrough technologies for the extraction of iron from ore, refinement of the final steel product, and valorization of the slag byproduct. Primary steel, with the annual demand of 1.6 billion tons, is produced by carbothermic reduction in blast furnace, emitting million tons of CO2 (about 4-7% of the total anthropogenic GHG emissions emanate from steelmaking). Environmental concerns led industries worldwide to search for environmentally sound technologies, and to this end, the steel industry is exploring the feasibility of using electrochemical technologies that can potentially be carbon free.This project aims to transform steelmaking into an environmentally friendly and sustainable industry. The work plan involves three concurrent Segments focusing on: (I) Developing and advancing high temperature electrolysis for iron extraction, (II) Developing an innovative electrorefining process for producing high purity steel, and (III) Developing a novel process for the valorization and inertization of steel slag. Preliminary results have established proof-of-principle for these processes. To achieve the goals of the project, a multidisciplinary approach that places at the intersection of materials science and engineering, molten salt electrochemistry and thermodynamics, hydrometallurgy, materials characterization, and process engineering and optimization will be followed.This project leverages expertise, facilities, and funds from Tenova Goodfellow, a knowledge based, pioneering technology-providing company offering cutting edge know-how to a wide range of industries, in particular steelmaking, in a 4-year partnership with the Azimi group at the University of Toronto. This project is highly beneficial for Canada in terms of academic excellence, industrial competitive advantage, and highly qualified personnel, as it creates the opportunity for knowledge based economic and environmental impact as well as enhanced technical edge in the steelmaking industry.