IOC said mid 2024Rio Tinto/IOC.
Plasma Burner Trial – Next Steps
• Continue to collaborate with supplier on potential improvements on plasma burner operation, materials, and HMI
• Demonstrate that plasma burners can supply sufficient energy without compromising quality or productivity on various pellet mineralogy
• Gather data on long term maintenance/reliability of burners
• Quantification of NOx emissions and evaluate potential mitigation strategies
Conclusion,
As iron ore producers, we must remain flexible to adapt to the evolving green steel future. The present pathway to decarbonize iron and steel making is through direct reduction which will drive high grade iron or demand. Arriving true net zero carbon steel will require zero emission iron ore. Substitution of combustibles in the induration process will be key to achieving IOC’s decarbonization goals. Plasma is seen as an option to support the evolution of carbon free iron ore pelletizing and will be evaluated into mid-2024.