Chinese researchers have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in ironmaking with the development of a new method known as flash ironmaking. This innovative process completes the iron production cycle in just three to six seconds, representing a staggering 3,600-fold speed increase compared to traditional methods that typically take five to six hours. The project is spearheaded by Professor Zhang Wenhai from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, who has been involved in flash smelting technology since the 1970s and holds a patent for this new method since 2013 [99e2b95].
The implications of this breakthrough are significant for China's steel industry, which has the capacity to produce over 1 billion tonnes of steel annually, more than the rest of the world combined. The new flash ironmaking technology is expected to improve energy efficiency by over one-third and aims to eliminate the reliance on coal, moving towards near-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This is particularly crucial as the industry seeks to reduce its environmental impact amidst growing concerns over climate change [99e2b95].
One of the key components of this new method is a vortex lance developed by Zhang's team, which can inject 450 tonnes of iron ore per hour, potentially enabling the production of 7.11 million tonnes of iron annually. Moreover, the flash ironmaking process can utilize low or medium-yield ores, thereby reducing China's dependence on imported high-yield ores [99e2b95].
This advancement not only represents a leap forward in manufacturing efficiency but also aligns with global efforts to transition to more sustainable industrial practices. As countries around the world strive to meet carbon reduction targets, China's innovative approach to ironmaking could serve as a model for other nations looking to modernize their steel production processes while minimizing environmental impact [99e2b95].