Commissioning and Optimization of a Pilot-Scale Hydrogen/Natural Gas DRI Reactor

Author

• Joseph W. Govro
• Amogh Meshram
• Fabian Calderon
• Yuri Korobeinikov
• Daniela Dalle Nogare
• Alberto Zugliano
• Dan Stackhouse
• Sridhar Seetharaman
• Ronald O'Malley, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

Hydrogen reduction of iron ore has been viewed as a potential solution for the greenhouse gas emissions produced in the ironmaking process. This article covers the design, operation, and optimization of a 2 tonne/wk pilot scale DRI (direct reduced iron) reactor. The reactor produced industry-standard DRI with both hydrogen and a hydrogen-NG feed gas streams. Greater than 95% metallization was achieved in both gas conditions. Additionally, a change from hydrogen/NG to hydrogen was completed while producing DRI.

Recommended Citation

J. W. Govro et al., "Commissioning and Optimization of a Pilot-Scale Hydrogen/Natural Gas DRI Reactor," Aistech Iron and Steel Technology Conference Proceedings, vol. 1, pp. 255 - 271, Jan 2026.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.33313/390/028

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Comments

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Grant DE-EE0009250

Keywords and Phrases

Decarbonization; Direct Reduced Iron; Green Steel; Hydrogen; Natural Gas

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-093076745-7

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1551-6997

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2026, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2026