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China’s ‘explosive’ ironmaking breakthrough achieves 3,600-fold speed boost(scmp.com)

9 points8 points11 points submitted by ActuallyNot

Questionable 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun 1 month ago

I'm uncertain if they understand the term 'fold', As it implies Exponential Growth. x2³⁶⁰⁰

Known as flash ironmaking, the method “can complete the ironmaking process in just three to six seconds, compared to the five to six hours required by traditional blast furnaces”

OK.

The method involves injecting finely ground iron ore powder into an extremely hot furnace, triggering an “explosive chemical reaction”, according to the engineers involved in the project.

So as apposed to heating up a traditional furnace, we over heat a furnace? Ending is creating a stream of iron, as apposed to crucible of iron? Yes, you can make that in seconds but what is the flow speed or caliber of that creation? Will it still not take hours and extreme resources to heat, and deliver the end product? And doesn't this just end up burning the ore tailings?

"it would also enable the steel industry to achieve the coveted goal of “near-zero carbon dioxide emissions”, Zhang’s team added."

This is not steel, this is iron. Are they just moving the apparent emissions from one process to the other?

https://iask.ai/?mode=question&q=What+are+the+problems+with++%27flash+ironmaking%27+a+proccess+for+refining+iron%2C+developed+in+China%3F

  1. Technical Challenges

One of the primary issues with flash ironmaking is the technical complexity involved in the process. The technology requires precise control over various parameters, including temperature, feed rates, and reaction times. Achieving optimal conditions can be difficult due to the variability in raw materials (such as different grades of iron ore) and operational conditions. Inconsistent quality of input materials can lead to fluctuations in product quality, making it challenging to produce high-grade molten iron consistently.

  1. Environmental Concerns

Flash ironmaking has raised environmental concerns similar to those associated with traditional steelmaking processes. Although it may produce lower emissions per ton of steel compared to conventional methods, the overall environmental impact depends on factors such as energy sources used for heating and the management of by-products. The process generates waste gases that contain pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contribute to air pollution if not adequately managed. Additionally, the use of coal raises questions about carbon emissions and sustainability.

  1. Economic Viability

While flash ironmaking promises lower production costs due to reduced energy consumption and shorter processing times, its economic viability remains uncertain. The initial investment required for setting up flash ironmaking facilities can be substantial, particularly for companies transitioning from established blast furnace operations. Furthermore, market fluctuations in raw material prices can affect profitability; if the cost of fine ores or coal rises significantly, it could negate some of the economic benefits associated with this new technology.

  1. Scale-Up Issues

Scaling up flash ironmaking from pilot projects to full-scale industrial applications presents another challenge. Many innovative technologies face difficulties when moving from laboratory or pilot-scale demonstrations to commercial-scale operations due to unforeseen technical issues or inefficiencies that arise at larger scales. Ensuring that flash ironmaking can operate effectively at scale without compromising efficiency or product quality is crucial for its widespread adoption.

  1. Competition with Established Technologies

Flash ironmaking competes directly with well-established methods like blast furnaces and direct reduction processes that have been optimized over decades. These traditional methods benefit from extensive infrastructure and supply chains already in place, making it difficult for newer technologies like flash ironmaking to gain a foothold in a competitive market unless they can demonstrate clear advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness or environmental performance.

  • Conclusion

In summary, while flash ironmaking represents an innovative approach to refining iron with potential benefits over traditional methods, it faces several significant challenges including technical complexities, environmental impacts, economic viability concerns, scale-up difficulties, and competition from established technologies. Addressing these issues will be critical for determining whether flash ironmaking can become a mainstream method in the global steel industry.

ActuallyNot[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun 1 month ago

I'm uncertain if they understand the term 'fold', As it implies Exponential Growth. x2³⁶⁰⁰

No, a 3600 fold increase in 3600 times. not 23600 times.

Fold change is a measure describing how much a quantity changes between an original and a subsequent measurement. It is defined as the ratio between the two quantities; for quantities A and B the fold change of B with respect to A is B/A.

Questionable 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun 1 month ago

Typically, you fold over time creating growth, but here they are simply referring to a reduction in time, with no known quantitative output. So I can't really argue that they are using the term wrong. For me to do so, I would first need to know how quickly they can produce 1 ton of iron.

Blast Furnaces: Daily Production Capacity: A modern blast furnace can produce more than 10,000 tonnes of molten iron per day. This figure represents the upper range of production capabilities for large-scale operations.

As for my understanding of the term 'fold', it may very well be outdated, as it was once described to me in a manner of folding paper. Each fold, doubling the layers as you go along. Or as to 'literally fold' something.

ActuallyNot[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun 1 month ago

Typically, you fold over time creating growth, but here they are simply referring to a reduction in time, with no known quantitative output. So I can't really argue that they are using the term wrong. For me to do so, I would first need to know how quickly they can produce 1 ton of iron.

Not really. 3600 times as fast is the same as 3600 time as much, over the same time.

As for my understanding of the term 'fold', it may very well be outdated, as it was once described to me in a manner of folding paper. Each fold, doubling the layers as you go along. Or as to 'literally fold' something.

That's the correct etymology. But -fold is multiplicative, not exponential. Has been since middle English at least. And that derives from the old English -feald, which had the same meaning.

Questionable 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun 1 month ago

Regardless , as to how 'fold' is defined, as it differs when used as a term for viral dilution, and bacterial growth. It is an increase of substance and not a reduction of time. And we still need to define the iron ore output, or none of these numbers will have any real meaning.