Applications
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)
- Batch Charging The benefits of DRI/HBI are not limited to its chemical characteristics. In electric furnace steelmaking, the use of high density DRI/HBI can eliminate the need for a second or third scrap charge. This results in lower energy losses, more power on-time and improved productivity. MIDREX® DRI or HBI is mixed with scrap in the bucket. Generally, DRI or HBI can be added at up to 30 percent of the charge.
- Continuous Charging Continuous charging systems can be used to feed up to 100 percent of the required metallics. More commonly, one bucket of scrap is charged and the remainder is continuously fed DRI or HBI. This can reduce back charges and allows the furnace roof to stay on, retaining valuable heat. Maintaining a consistent temperature leads to improved bath heat transfer and faster metallurgical reactions. Continuous charging can be done with cold or hot DRI. Hot DRI can be charged directly using the MIDREX HOTLINK® System, or using a hot transport conveyor or hot transport vessels. Normally, the DRI is charged to the center of the EAF.
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Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF)
A common practice is to use HBI as a cold charge in the BOF to supplement scrap. It can be loaded in the charging box and charged and melted like scrap. In cases where scrap has high levels of residual metals, HBI is a preferred charge material.
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Blast Furnace 
HBI has been used in blast furnaces to increase hot metal production and lower coke consumption. Blast furnace production can be increased by over 20 percent by using HBI in the burden. This increase can be realized with no capital cost expenditures. Its use is cost effective when the steelworks is hot metal short, or if a blast furnace is down for a reline or idled until hot metal demand increases. Use of HBI also decreases CO2 generation.
