Max Planck Institute develops method to make green steel from toxic red mud
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research have developed a method to make green steel out of waste produced during aluminum manufacturing. The waste, known as red mud, is highly toxic and is currently disposed of in large landfills.
“Our process could simultaneously solve the waste problem of aluminum production and improve the carbon footprint of the steel industry,” says Matic Jovičevič-Klug, lead author of the study and scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research, in a release.
Also read: Tata Steel unveils transformation plan towards green steel production
The process involves converting the iron oxide in red mud into iron, which can then be used to produce steel. The conversion, known as plasma reduction, takes 10 minutes, during which the liquid iron separates from the liquid oxides and can then easily be separated. The team notes that the iron is so pure that it can be processed directly into steel.
Eco-friendly
“If iron were produced with green hydrogen from the four billion tons of red sludge that have so far been produced in global aluminum production, the steel industry could save almost 1.5 billion tons of CO2,” says Isnaldi Souza Filho, research group leader at Max Planck -Institute for Iron Research.
Also read: Australian collaboration aims to drive green steel and mineral processing innovations
The team notes that the process can also help remove heavy metals from the red mud. This method could be economically viable and environmentally beneficial for the steel industry.
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