Moscow: Russia’s Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), part of the National Research University, has introduced an innovative method for iron extraction that could revolutionize global steel manufacturing. Scientists at MPEI have developed a proprietary process that directly retrieves iron from ore using a mixture of hydrocarbons and natural gas, eliminating the need for traditional pig iron production. This technique employs a specially designed reactor where iron reduction occurs in a continuous liquid-phase cycle, completing the entire process in just 12 minutes.
Unlike conventional methods that require large infrastructure to produce reducing gas, this new approach operates independently of auxiliary systems, resulting in lower costs, significantly reduced emissions, and nearly 50% less energy consumption compared to traditional steelmaking processes.
Nikolay Rogalev, Rector of MPEI, stated that this innovation enables quick and efficient iron recovery within a single seamless process, offering both economic and environmental benefits and heralding a new era of sustainable metallurgy.
Given the industry’s ongoing environmental concerns, this technology has the potential to influence international standards and attract the interest of major industry players seeking greener solutions. Demonstrating a strong focus on innovation, MPEI continues to lead in research related to energy and materials science, providing practical breakthroughs to address some of the most urgent challenges faced by industry today.