Iron-making gets 3,600-fold productivity boost with ‘explosive’ method

Chinese researchers have developed a new method for making iron that they claim is not only faster and cheaper, but also better for the environment.

In the steel manufacturing industry, the blast furnace is the primary method of producing iron. However, it is extremely environmentally intensive – not only due to the heat the furnace generates, but also the carbon emitted during the process.

However, for the past 10 years Chinese researchers have been developing a new method known as flash iron-making.

According to the project lead Professor Zhang Wenhai, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the method “can complete the iron-making process in just three to six seconds compared to the five to six hours required by traditional blast furnaces”.

Talking to the South China Morning Post, he said the method involves injecting finely ground iron ore powder into an extremely hot furnace, triggering an “explosive chemical reaction”.

The result is a display of bright red, glowing liquid...