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Chinese Scientists Develop New Iron Production Method That Increases Productivity By 3,600 Times

Published on 09/12/2024 at 21:47
Updated on 09/12/2024 at 22:17
Foto; Reprodução
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A new revolutionary method for iron manufacturing was developed in China, increasing productivity by 3,600 times and promising to transform the global industrial sector.

China has just created a new technology that promises to transform the steel industry. After more than ten years of research, Chinese scientists discovered an innovative method of iron manufacturing that promises to accelerate the production of high-purity iron in a way never seen before.

After much research, the Chinese realized that instead of relying on traditional blast furnaces, a time-consuming process that can take five to six hours, the new technology can reduce this time.

The method, described by Zhang Wenhai and his team in a study published in the journal Nonferrous Metals, takes only three to six seconds to produce iron, an impressive speed that represents a 3,600-fold increase over the conventional process.

The advancement in iron production reduces the iron manufacturing time from hours to mere seconds. Photo: Zhang Wenhai

The process works in a simple and efficient way. Finely ground iron ore powder is injected into a furnace at extremely high temperatures, resulting in an “explosive chemical reaction” that generates a continuous flow of iron. This iron forms into red liquid droplets, which are easily collected at the base of the furnace to be melted or converted directly into steel.

China May Depend Less on Iron Ore Imports from Brazil

China, which currently relies on high-yield minerals imported from countries like Australia, Brazil, and Africa, may use lower-yield resources that are abundant within its territory.

This not only improves production efficiency but also reduces dependence on imports.

In 2023, Brazil exported approximately 236.9 million tons of iron ore to China, accounting for about 63% of the total Brazilian exports of this mineral.

In the first two months of 2024, there was a significant increase of 49.1% in the volume exported to the Asian country compared to the same period in 2023, driven mainly by shipments of iron ore, oil, and soybeans.

The elimination of the use of coal, an essential fuel in traditional blast furnaces, is another major gain.

With this new technology, the Chinese steel industry could significantly reduce its carbon dioxide emissions, helping the country achieve its ambitious climate goals.

The Revolution in the Casting Process

One of the innovations of this technology is the greater discharge of iron ore. Responsible for dispersing iron ore particles in a high-temperature environment, the discharge must be extremely efficient to ensure that a chemical occurrence occurs quickly and in a controlled manner.

Zhang’s team developed a vortex discharge capable of injecting 450 tons of iron ore per hour.

With three of these discharges, it is possible to produce about 7.11 million tons of iron annually. And the best part: this discharge has already entered commercial production, indicating that this new technology is not only promising but also viable for large-scale innovation.

Iron Manufacturing – The Future of Global Steelmaking

China, the world leader in steel production, sees this innovation as a way to further enhance its competitive advantage, perhaps by reducing dependence on imports.

The country already surpasses the rest of the world in steel production, dominating sectors such as high-speed railways, shipbuilding, and automobile manufacturing.

Now, with this new process, China not only ensures an efficiency gain but also moves closer to its environmental goals, which could shape the future of the global steel industry.

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27 Comments
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Ronaldo Trindade
Ronaldo Trindade
13/12/2024 22:40

Vou voltar para o mercado do aço

Arari Rocha
Arari Rocha
11/12/2024 10:13

O Brasil vai assistindo a China dominar o mundo. Pior, ainda é dependente economicamente. Não existe investimento pesado em pesquisas para utilizarmos nossas riquezas e entregar já processado com valor agregado.

O brasileiro fica perdendo tempo em discussões banais entre Lula x Bolsonaro, enquanto o tempo passa e vamos perdendo o bonde da História.

Lula é um **** e Bolsonaro é um covarde. Todos pensam nos seus interesses, nunca no interesse coletivo.

Arari Rocha
Arari Rocha
Reply to  Arari Rocha
11/12/2024 10:15

Vou usar sinônimo: Lula é um rato, ****, Elza… algum desse deve passar.

Ronis elson
Ronis elson
11/12/2024 05:24

O presidente tem razão que a nossa maneira ambiciosa é míope de só querer exportar mineral **** é ****. A briga com a Vale é porque eles não pensam no Brasil do futuro.

Desenvolver pesquisas interno e a indústria para exportar mais com valor agregado, e essencial para soberania e relevância no mercado. A pesquisa da China é estratégica para soberania. Abaixo o complexo de vira-lata!

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide variety of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, naval industry, geopolitics, renewable energy, and economics. Active since 2015, with prominent publications on major news portals. My background in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10,000 articles published in renowned outlets, I always aim to provide detailed information and relevant insights for the reader.

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