Reclaiming iron from solid wastes via Romelt process

Abstract

The ROMELT[1] process of iron making uses non coking coal and iron bearing materials such as metallurgical wastes, including finely dispersed ecologically dangerous dusts and sludge as chiefraw materials, that proves promising for the disposal and reuse of the latter generated in both ferrous as well as non ferrous industries. Besides, non coking coal cuts out the requirement of an energy intensive and hazardous coking process. Although its capacity isn't comparable to that of the blast furnaces, this single stage process can be established virtually anywhere and provide an exceptionally high grade of hot metal for steel making purposes. In the present scenario of global recession and environmental consciousness, the commercialisation of this process can ensure bothcheaper and a better quality iron, along with fewer casualties to nature. A review of the Romelt process has been carried out and its comparison with the other existing alternative processes of iron making[10] (such as Corex process, Hismelt process, etc.) has been done. In the end, suggestions regarding popularising this technology, highlighting its applicability to the Indian conditions have been made.