New Pig Iron Process 'Tecnored Technology' Tested by Vale

Posted in Industry News on 27th September 2011 |

Vale, the biggest shareholder in Tecnored Desenvolvimento Tecnologico S.A., has announced the start up of a new pig iron demonstration plant which does not use traditional blast furnaces and is much easier to shut down or expand capacity. The process can use a range of iron ore grades and claims to reduce steel production costs by up to 30%. Current capacity at the test facility in Pindamonhangaba, Sao Paulo state, Brazil is just 75,000 metric tonnes per annum but there are plans to increase this to 300,000.

It is hoped that the technology called 'Tecnored' will help extend Vale's iron ore mines life as it enables pig iron to be produced from ultra fine waste iron ore normally placed in tailings ponds. The secret technology centres on the use of cold pellets measuring 50 mm, formed from lumps of fine particles of iron ore and a reductant like coal. The reducing agent removes oxygen from the iron ore and is transformed into pig iron when heated in the furnace. The technology eliminates the need to use coke and sinterization facilities thereby reducing construction costs, energy use, emissions and carbon dioxide. It is also a fast process, taking just 30 minutes when compared to a typical blast furance process of up to 8 hours. Vale now plan to prove that the technology is commercially viable over the next two years.

Tags: Brazil, Iron Ore, New Technology, Pig Iron, South America, Vale