Overview of new direct reduced iron technology

The technology of direct reduced iron production is reviewed for a look at the future trend of alternative iron source out of the blast furnace route. High productivity direct reduced iron based on the demand on mini-mills ha s been established by the enlargement of furnace size and high temperature reduction. New technical development in the alternative iron world is a con junction with rotary hearth furnace and iron ore agglomerate with :incorpor ated carbon. The carbon composite agglomerate is reduced in the time less t han 10 min at 1300-1400 degreesC in the rotary hearth furnace. The carbon c omposite agglomerate and rotary hearth furnace technology allows the recycl ing of residues due to the next century.