Invention Reference Number
Red mud residue is an industrial waste product generated during the processing of bauxite ore to extract alumina for the steelmaking industry. Red mud is rich in minerals in bauxite like iron and aluminum oxide, but also heavy metals, including arsenic and mercury. Globally 3 billion tons of red mud are stored in toxic waste ponds, making it one of the most abundant industrial wastes one the planet. This technology consists of using red mud as a flux instead of limestone to extract iron ore and help decarbonize steelmaking.
Description
This technology uses red mud as a flux rather than limestone in a blast furnace for steelmaking. Red mud, a toxic waste resulting from the process to extract iron, not only helps in utilization of the stored industrial waste, but also increases the recovery of the iron ore. It has purity levels of the resulting steel comparable to conventional flux. With the projected increase in red mud being stored in waste ponds, and the need for decarbonization, utilizing red mud as a flux, in combination with iron ore concentrates, and clean hydrogen as a reducing agent, can be a route for the manufacturing of sustainable iron and steel. Furthermore, the byproduct from the iron making process can be used to manufacture carbon-free cement/building materials, enhance recovery of rare earth elements, and can be used as a flux for remelting to produce steel and enhance recovery of critical metals/minerals.
Benefits
- Sustainable method of extracting iron for steel
- Can extract critical minerals and heavy metals
- No carbon dioxide emissions
- Reduces amount of toxic waste that must be stored
Applications and Industries
- Iron making and steel making
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
