Direct Reduced Iron

The Austpac Direct Reduced Iron Process
Early in 2006, Austpac developed an innovative iron metallisation process to enhance the ERMS SR process by reducing the iron oxide pellets, produced by the EARS acid regeneration process, to iron metal pellets. This was undertaken in batch fluid bed roasters and it was decided to construct a pilot scale continuous “metalliser” to demonstrate the process. The pilot scale unit was operated late in 2006, with test runs conducted on a sample of fine iron ore from the Pilbara in Western Australia. Excellent metallisation (95%) was achieved, encouraging further development of the process.

The iron in steel mill waste products can also be converted to saleable iron pellets. These waste products are chemically derived materials and therefore do not contain the deleterious elements which would be carried though in the reduction of iron ore. This means that Austpac DRI is unusually pure compared to other DRI materials.

In 2008, Austpac proved its iron reduction process by processing large samples of iron ore fines through the Demonstration Plant. The Company’s ultimate objective is to employ the Austpac DRI process in the Newcastle EARS Project and to licence it to interested iron ore producers.