Development of Direct Reduced Iron in China:Challenges and Pathways

The steel industry is considered an important basic sector of the national economy,and its high energy consumption and carbon emissions make it a major contributor to climate change,especially in China.The majority of crude steel in China is produced via the energy-and carbon-intensive blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace(BF–BOF)route,which greatly relies on coking coal.In recent years,China’s steel sector has made significant progress in energy conservation and emission reduction,driven by decarbonization policies and regulations.However,due to the huge output of crude steel,the steel sector still produces 15%of the total national CO_(2) emissions.The direct reduced iron(DRI)plus scrap–electric arc furnace(EAF)process is currently considered a good alternative to the conventional route as a means of reducing CO_(2) emissions and the steel industry’s reliance on iron ore and coking coal,since the gas-based DRI plus scrap–EAF route is expected to be more promising than the coal-based one.Unfortunately,almost no DRI is produced in China,seriously restricting the development of the EAF route.Here,we highlight the challenges and pathways of the future development of DRI,with a focus on China.In the short term,replacing natural gas with coke oven gas(COG)and byproduct gas from the integrated refining and chemical sector is a more economically feasible and cleaner way to develop a gas-based route in China.As the energy revolution proceeds,using fossil fuels in combination with carbon capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS)and hydrogen will be a good alternative due to the relatively low cost.In the long term,DRI is expected to be produced using 100%hydrogen from renewable energy.Both the development of deep processing technologies and the invention of a novel binder are required to prepare high-quality pellets for direct reduction(DR),and further research on the one-step gas-based process is necessary.

Effect of Copper Content on the Direct Process of Organosilane Synthesis from Silicon and Methyl Chloride

The effect of copper concentration on the performance of the catalytic reaction between silicon and methyl chloride was investigated using online gas chromatogram. The catalyst concentration greatly influences various aspects of the direct organosilane synthesis process, including the reaction rate, the selec- tivity, and the silicon conversion. The reaction activity and the silicon conversion increase as the catalyst concentration increases. However, the reaction selectivity decreases for the catalyst concentrations more .than 9 wt.%. The cross-sections of deactivated contact mass particles were observed by optical microscopy and analyzed by scanning electron microscope combined with energy dispersive X-ray detector （SEM-EDX） The observations showed that a textured substance formed on the original flat surface of the silicon particles after deactivation with copper only in a shallow surface layer of the contact mass. This indicates that the copper diffusion is the rate limiting step which causes the reaction deactivation.

Mathematical simulation of direct reduction process in zinc-bearing pellets

A one-dimensional unsteady mathematical model was established to describe direct reduction in a composite pellet made of metallurgical dust. The model considered heat transfer, mass transfer, and chemical reactions including iron oxide reductions, zinc oxide reduction and carbon gasification, and it was numerically solved by the tridiagonal matrix algorithm （TDMA）. In order to verify the model, an experiment was performed, in which the profiles of temperature and zinc removal rate were measured during the reduction process. Results calculated by the mathematical model were in fairly good agreement with experimental data. Finally, the effects of furnace temperature, pellet size, and carbon content were investigated by model calculations. It is found that the pellet temperature curve can be divided into four parts according to heating rate. Also, the zinc removal rate increases with the increase of furnace temperature and the decrease of pellet size, and carbon content in the pellet has little influence on the zinc removal rate.

Direct Urca Processes with Hyperon-Hyperon Interactions

With a weak hyperon-hyperon （YY） interaction deduced from the new experimental data of AA potential, this paper has performed a calculation of the direct Urca （DURCA） processes in the framework of the relativistic mean field theory （RMFT） including σ＊ and φ mesons, in comparison with the results calculated with the strong YY interaction and with no （σ＊ ,φ ） mesons included. In neutron star matter, the weak YY interaction supplies the additional repulsive interaction between hyperons while the strong YY interaction supplies the attractive one. With the weak YY interaction, the effective masses of hyperons are larger than those with the strong YY interaction while smaller than those with no （σ＊ ,φ） mesons included. The threshold star masses for the DURCA processes involving nucleons and A are not sensitive to the strength of the YY interaction. The weak YY interaction leads to larger threshold masses for the DURCA process involving [1]1 and [1]0 than the other two cases. The process involving [1]0 can take place in the neutron star only when the weak YY interaction is used. The weak YY interaction is able to bring in the agreement with the observation of the neutron star with larger mass and faster cooling than the strong YY interaction.

Influence of A Hyperons ^1S0 Superfluidity on the Direct Urca Processes with Hyperons

In the framework of the relativistic mean field theory （RMFT）, the relativistic energy losses of the direct Urea processes with hyperons （Y-DURCA ） for reactions A → p ＋ e ＋ υe and ≡^-→ A＋e＋υe are studied in neutron stars. We calculate the energy gap of A hyperons and investigate the effects of the ^1S0 superfluidity （SF） of A hyperons on the Y-DURCA processes. The calculated results are in line with the recent experimental data △ BAA ～ 1.01 ±0.20-0.11^＋0.18 MeV. The results indicate that the ^1S0 SF of A hyperons exists in most density ranges of happening the two reactions. The theoretical cooling curves are in agreement with observation data.

Direct data domain approach to space-time adaptive processing

In non-homogeneous environment, traditional space-time adaptive processing doesn＇t effectively suppress interference and detect target, because the secondary data don＇ t exactly reflect the statistical characteristic of the range cell under test. A ravel methodology utilizing the direct data domain approach to space-time adaptive processing （ STAP ） in airbome radar non-homogeneous environments is presented. The deterministic least squares adaptive signal processing technique operates on a ＂snapshot-by-snapshot＂ basis to dethrone the adaptive adaptive weights for nulling interferences and estimating signal of interest （SOI）. Furthermore, this approach eliminates the requirement for estimating the covariance through the data of neighboring range cell, which eliminates calculating the inverse of covariance, and can be implemented to operate in real-time. Simulation results illustrate the efficiency of interference suppression in non-homogeneous environment.

Direct Observation of Carrier Transportation Process in InGaAs/GaAs Multiple Quantum Wells Used for Solar Cells and Photodetectors

The resonant excitation is used to generate photo-excited carriers in quantum wells to observe the process of the carriers transportation by comparing the photoluminescence results between quantum wells with and without a p-n junction. It is observed directly in experiment that most of the photo-excited carriers in quantum wells with a p-n junction escape from quantum wells and form photoeurrent rather than relax to the ground state of the quantum wells. The photo absorption coei^cient of multiple quantum wells is also enhanced by a p-n junction. The results pave a novel way for solar cells and photodetectors making use of low-dimensional structure.

Effects of Tensor Couplings on Nucleonic Direct URCA Processes in Neutron Star Matter

The relativistic neutrino emissivity of the nucleonic direct URCA processes in neutron star matter is investigated within the relativistic Hartree-Fock approximation. We particularly study the influences of the tensor couplings of vector mesons ω and ρ on the nucleonic direct URCA processes. It is found that the inclusion of the tensor couplings of vector mesons w and p can slightly increase the maximum mass of neutron stars. In addition, the results indicate that the tensor couplings of vector mesons ω and ρ lead to obvious enhancement of the total neutrino emissivity for the nucleonic direct URCA processes, which must accelerate the cooling rate of the non- superfluid neutron star matter. However, when considering only the tensor coupling of vector meson ρ, the neutrino emissivity for the nucleonic direct URCA processes slightly declines at low densities and significantly increases at high densities. That is, the tensor coupling of vector meson ρ leads to the slow cooling rate of a low-mass neutron star and rapid cooling rate of a massive neutron star.

Influence of furnace temperature and non-uniform heat flux density on direct reduction process of newly designed carbon containing pellet

In this study,innovative ellipsoid pellet with craters on its surface was designed,and the direct reduction process was compared with ellipsoid(without craters)and sphere pellets.In addition,furnace temperature and uneven heat flux density effects on the pellet direct reduction process were also studied.The results show that ellipsoid pellet is better than that of spherical pellet on metallization ratio.However,under the condition of non-uniform heat flow,the ellipsoid pellet final metallization rate and zinc removal rate were lower.Although the heat transfer effect of ellipsoid pellet with craters was not improved significantly,the metallization rate and zinc removal rate were found improved,which will have a cumulative effect on the pellets direct reduction process in rotary hearth furnace.Under varying furnace temperature conditions,the pellet temperature was higher than that of the constant furnace temperature.After 1200 s,pellet Fe concentration increased to 123.6%,metallization rate and zinc removal rate increased to 113.7%and 102.2%,respectively.These results can provide references for the carbon-containing pellet design used in rotary hearth furnace.

Recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation: process optimization and mineralogical study

Currently, the majority of copper tailings are not effectively developed. Worldwide, large amounts of copper tailings generated from copper production are continuously dumped, posing a potential environmental threat. Herein, the recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation was conducted; process optimization was carried out, and the corresponding mineralogy was investigated. The reduction time, reduction temperature, reducing agent (coal), calcium chloride additive, grinding time, and magnetic field intensity were examined for process optimization. Mineralogical analyses of the sample, reduced pellets, and magnetic concentrate under various conditions were performed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to elucidate the iron reduction and growth mechanisms. The results indicated that the optimum parameters of iron recovery include a reduction temperature of 1150A degrees C, a reduction time of 120 min, a coal dosage of 25%, a calcium chloride dosage of 2.5%, a magnetic field intensity of 100 mT, and a grinding time of 1 min. Under these conditions, the iron grade in the magnetic concentrate was greater than 90%, with an iron recovery ratio greater than 95%.

Direct transformation of fossil carbon into chemicals: A review

Despite the long tradition of fossil carbon(coal,char,and related carbon-based materials)for fueling mankind,the science of transforming them into chemicals is still demandingly progressing in the current energy scenario,especially when considering its responsibilities to the global climate change.Traditionally,there are four routes of preparing chemicals directly from fossil carbon,including hydrogasification,gasification,direct liquefaction,and oxidation,in the macroscope of gas-solid reaction(hydrogasification and gasification)and liquid-solid reaction(direct liquefaction and oxidation).When the study goes to microscale,the gas-solid reaction can be considered as the reaction between the severe condensed radicals and gas,while the liquid-solid reaction is the direct reaction between the radical and the activated-molecule.To have a full overview of the area,this review systematically summarizes the main factors in these processes and shows our own perspectives as follows,(ⅰ)stabilizing the free radicals generated from coal and then directly converting them has the highest efficiency in coal utilization;(ⅱ)the research on the self-catalytic process of coal structure will have a profound impact on the direct preparation of chemicals from fossil carbon.Further discussions are also proposed to guide the future study of the area into a more sustainable direction.

Solute Redistribution in Directional Melting Process

The solute redistribution in directional melting process is theoretically studied. Based on quantitative evaluations, uniform.solute distribution in liquid and a quasi-steady solute distribution in solid are supposed. The discussion on the solute balance comes to a simple model for the solute redistribution in directional melting process. As an example, the variation of liquid composition during melting process of carbon steel is quantitatively evaluated using the model. Results show that the melting of an alloy starts at solidus temperature, but approaches the liquidus temperature after a very short transient process.

A NOVEL UNIVERSAL PREPROCESSING APPROACH FOR HIGH-RESOLUTION DIRECTION-OF-ARRIVAL ESTIMATION

A novel universal preprocessing method is proposed to estimate angles of arrival,which is applicable to one-or two-dimensional high resolution processing based on arbitrarycenter-symmetric arrays (such as uniform linear arrays, equal-spaced rectangular planar arraysand symmetric circular arrays). By mapping the complex signal space into the real one, the newmethod can effectively reduce the computation needed by the signal subspace direction findingtechniques without any performance degradation. In addition, the new preprocessing scheme itselfcan decorrelate the coherent signals received on the array. For regular array geometry such asuniform linear arrays and equal-spaced rectangular planar arrays, the popular spatial smoothingpreprocessing technique can be combined with the novel approach to improve the decorrelatingability. Simulation results confirm the above conclusions.

Characterisation of a novel, multifunctional, co-processed excipient and its effect on release profile of paracetamol from tablets prepared by direct compression

Objective: To characterise a novel multifunctional pharmaceutical excipient and investigate its ef ect on paracetamol release from tablets prepared by direct compression.Methods: The excipient was prepared by co-processing gelatinized maize starch with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose in a ratio of 2:1:1, dried and pulverized into powder. The excipient formulated was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dif erential scanning calorimetry. The excipient was used to prepare batches of tablets by direct compression with drug-excipient ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4. Parameters evaluated on tablets include crushing strength, friability and in vitro dissolution studies. Results: Differential scanning calorimetry analysis revealed a crystalline excipient while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed no interaction between the excipient and paracetamol. Tablets from all the batches gave average crushing strength values between 3.47 and 4.88 kp. The 1:1 and 1:2 tablet batches were comparable to each other while 1:3 and 1:4 were also comparable to one another in their dissolution proi les. The dissolution parameters of the 1:4 batch was faster with- m∞(90.5%), t50%(3.5 min), t70%(11.6 min) while that of ratio 1:1 was the least with- m∞(48.6%), m5min(23.8%). Their release kinetics followed a KorsmeyerPeppas model with a super case-II transport mechanism.Conclusions: The drug-excipient ratios of 1:3 and 1:4 gave pharmaceutically acceptable tablets that met the British Pharmacopoeia specii cations. The t50% value of the 1:4 batch of tablets may i nd its usefulness in formulating drugs for which a fast onset of action is desired.

Defects of (Tb_(0.3)Dy_(0.7))Fe_(1.95) Alloys with "One-Step" Directional Solidification Process

The main types of defect in the (Tb_(0.3)Dy_(0.7))Fe_(1.95) alloys with the 'one-step' directional solidification process were investigated. The effect of the dendrite, grain boundaries, twin boundaries, and REFe_3 precipitates on the magnetostrictive response of the (Tb_(0.3)Dy_(0.7))Fe_(1.95) alloys was analyzed respectively. The experiment results demonstrate that the dendrite, twin boundaries, and REFe_3 precipitates can be avoided by modifying alloying ingredient, solidification parameters and annealing technique. The dendritic growth front often leads to dendrite sheet, rare earth-rich phase, and twin boundaries. The lower proportion of rare earth, or slow solidification rate, results in the occurrence of REFe_3 precipitatates. It is vital for diminishing the defects to control the undercooling of solid-liquid interface at (2.4～5.1)×10~4 K·s·cm^(-2) so that the crystal grows in cellular growth front.

Process analysis of direct laser melting to fabricate layered hybrid beads

The successful fabrication of layered hybrid beads by DLM process is limited by dissimilar melting ranges of different powders.For the application of DLM process into manufacturing industries,target mechanical properties of final product must be achieved.Process analysis was performed for the DLM fabrication of layered hybrid beads by using stainless steel (SS 316L) and titanium powders.For the analysis of fabrication characteristics,single hybrid bead was formed using SS316L powder onto the base plate and then Ti powder was melted onto the previous melted layer.In addition,multi-layer hybrid beads were fabricated for the analysis of the layering effects between them.From these studies,the effects of the processing parameters,such as laser power,scan rate and scan line spacing on surface morphology were characterized and optimum processing conditions for the DLM fabrication of layered hybrid beads were developed.

RESEARCH ON LASER DIRECT DEPOSITION PROCESS OF Ti-6Al-4V ALLOY

Laser direct deposition （LDD） of metallic components is an advanced technology of combining CAD/CAM （computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing）, high power laser, and rapid prototyping. This technology uses laser beam to melt the powders fed coaxiaUy into the molten pool by the laser beam to fabricate fuUy dense metallic components. The present article mainly studies the LDD of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, which can be used to fabricate aircraft components. The mechanical properties of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, fabricated by LDD, are obtained using the tension test, and the oxygen content of used powders and deposited specimens are measured. In the present article, it can be seen that the mechanical properties obtained using this method are higher than the ones obtained by casting, and equal to those got by wrought anneal. One aircraft part has been made using the LDD process. Because of this aircraft part, with sophisticated shape, the effect of the laser scanning track on the internal soundness of the deposited part was discussed.

方坯直轧工艺下连铸坯温度场均匀性及切坯工艺优化

对方坯直轧工艺下连铸坯温度场和初生晶粒演化进行数值模拟,并根据计算结果对连铸坯切坯顺序进行优化。结果表明:随着连铸拉速的提高,连铸方坯表面温度和心表温差逐渐增大,心部等轴晶区也逐渐扩大;拉速对连铸坯初生晶粒取向的影响较小;连铸坯定尺对铸坯头尾温差的影响较大,在拉速不变的情况下,连铸坯定尺每增加1 m,头尾温差增大约10.5℃。方坯直轧工艺生产采用非定尺切坯策略,可以有效减小连铸拉速波动对出坯生产节奏的影响。

Effects of Chemical Composition and Cooling Process on Structures and Properties of Direct-Quenched Steels

The microstructures and mechanical properties of a series of direct-quenched steels containing,in weight percent,from 0.05 to 0.20 carbon,0.20 to 0.40 silicon,1.10 to 1.70 manganese and at least one microalloying element of vanadium,niobium,titanium and boron have been investigated.After controlled rolling,these steels were cooled in spray water to 400,300 and 200℃,respectively and then cooled in still air.Comparison of the Charpy V-notch impact toughness of direct-quenched steels without subsequent tempering was made with that of direct-quenched steels tempered at 600℃.It is found that an attractive combination of strength and toughness is achived by means of direct-quenching.There exists two types of microstructures in accordance with carbon equivalent.Lath martensitic microstructure is obtained for C>0.4%,granular bainitic microstructures for C.< 0.35%and mixtures of martensite and bainite for C,.in the range of 0.35— 0.40%.The effect of interrupted quenching temperature on microstructure is not significant for low C.steel,but interrupted quenching temperature has a strong effect on microstructure for high C,.steel.

Rejection of Direct Blast Interference Based on Signal Phase-Matching Array Processing

In bistaic acoustic testing, there will be strong direct blast interference. An algorithm based on signal phase-matching array processing that rejects direct blast interference in bistatic acoustic testing has been studied, through which the object scattering signal is accurately extracted. Characteristics of bistatic acoustic testing and signal phase matching processing principle are fully integrated in this algorithm. Firstly, the direct blast interference is calculated from the receiving signal based on three subarrays signal phase matching processing. Secondly, the direct blast is rejected by subtraction from the receiving signal. In this way the limitations of the high signal to noise ratio that signal phase matching processing required for direct calculating the object scattering signal can be avoided. Simulation and sea trial results show that, when the ratio of signal to interference is greater than -20 dB, this algorithm of direct blast interference rejection based phase matching signal processing can accurately extract the object scattering signal.