International Iron Metallics Association

IIMA - Iron Metallics Association. The ore-based, merchant metallics association

The ore-based, merchant metallics association

What Is DRI?

Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) is a manufactured metallic material produced by the reduction (removal of oxygen) of iron oxide at temperatures below the melting point of iron (1536° C or 2797° F). The iron oxide in either lump, conceptrate, or pellet form is reduced at 800-1050 ° C (1472-1922 ° F) by interaction with reductants (H2+CO) derived from natural gas or coal.

DRI lump, pellets, and cold-molded briquettes have an apparent density of less than 5.0 g/cm3 (312 lbs/ft3). Cold-molded briquettes are formed at a temperature less than 650° C (1202° F).

Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) is a compacted form of DRI with enhanced physical characteristics, which make it ideal for handling, shipping, and storing as a merchant product. See HBI page for more details.

DRI fines are generated during the production and handling of DRI and HBI and can have up to 75 percent metallic content. Particle size can range from less than 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) to 12 mm (0.5 inch). Moisture content can be as much as 12 percent (by weight).

Typical chemistry of DRI is:

Fe Total	90-94%
Fe Metallic	83-90%
Metallization	92-96%
C	1.0-2.5%
P2O5†	0.005 – 0.09%
S†	0.001-0.03%
Gangue†	2.8-6%

Gangue is the term for the oxide minerals (i.e. CaO, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO) that remain in the DRI and are removed in the steel slag

† Depends on the iron oxide source

DRI Basics
Click on the link for a description of the basic fundamentals of direct reduction and the production of DRI based on the Direct Reduction Fundamentals and Applications – Short Course presented by Roy Whipp, President of Whipp Technology, Inc.