Reclaiming iron from solid wastes via Romelt process

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.