HBI stands for Hot Briquetted Iron, the densified form of direct reduced iron, which can be in the form of pellets and lump, or in reduced iron fines. DRI refers to Direct Reduced Iron in the form of pellets and lump, which has not been densified after reduction. HBI has superior performance in handling, shipping, storage, and steelmaking.

This document sets forth procedures recommended by the HBI Association for the proper transportation, handling, storage, and shipping of HBI. This will indicate for the HBI user the condition resulting in maximum performance of the product and minimal losses or hazardous events.



The properties of HBI can vary slightly depending upon: the type of process used in production, operational parameters and targets of each producer, and the raw material used.

Several parameters (e.g., total iron content, metallization level, gangue content and composition, sulfur and phosphorous content, the carbon level, and physical characteristics) are sensitive to variations in raw materials and the production process, but in general HBI has many additional properties that make it a useful raw material in iron and steelmaking industries.

a. An extremely low level of copper, nickel, chrome, molybdenum and tin.

b. A high bulk density and apparent density. Bulk density: > 2.4 mT/m3,
    or > 3.3 nT/yd3. Apparent Density: >5.0 g/cm3, (steel = 7.0 g/cm3)

c. A compacted, non-porous structure.

d. Optimum sizing and surface-to-volume ratio.

e. Good thermal and electrical conductivity.

f. Stability during ocean, inland water and inland transport

g. Low sulfur material

h. Promotes low nitrogen and hydrogen in steel.

i. Uniform and well defined composition.



The end user wants a highly metallized HBI, dry and as physically intact as possible. Therefore all handling and storage procedures should be aimed to achieve these properties.

Dust Control

The end user wants a minimum amount of fines. Although briquettes are strong, it is important to minimize the height and number of drops when transferring them during handling. Some breakage is inevitable at each transfer location so handling systems should be designed accordingly.

In any material handling operation (from production plant to final customer destination), some fine dust is generated at each transfer stage. In order to comply with environmental requirements, it is allowable and may be necessary to use a fresh water spray mist to minimize dust. To reduce the amount of dust generated, it is desirable to minimize the number and height of transfer stations. Use of fresh water sprays must be limited only to controlling the dust since product rusting and corrosion will reduce desirable metallization.

Avoid Spillage.

All types of conventional bulk material handling equipment utilized in melt-shops can handle HBI. HBI is normally transferred to the scrap-yard by barge, rail, or truck. Once unloaded in the storage yard a front-end loader or a crane using a magnet or clamshell type bucket is acceptable. HBI does not drain out of small openings in buckets and truck beds, as does DRI. The recommended way to load the HBI in a truck is shown in Figure 1 to avoid material spillage. Due to the high bulk density of HBI, care must be taken to avoid overloading vehicles.




Figure 1. - Recommended truck loading of HBI.


Care should be exercised when handling HBI with front-end loaders since the bulk density of HBI (2.4 t/m3), (3.3nT/yd3) is often higher than the rated capacity of buckets used for normal bulk materials and the machine can be overloaded.

Scrap-yard magnets are normally used for charging scrap buckets and the HBI can be handled easily with these magnets. For example, a 2-meter diameter magnet, which is rated at 3.5 tons typically, picks up around 2 tons of HBI per lift.

Quality loss during storage.

HBI is normally stored the same as scrap, without cover and exposed to the weather.

HBI will slowly reoxidize or rust in storage, which results in a loss of metallic iron and metallization. The losses are higher on the outside layer and diminish towards the center of the pile. The level of reoxidation of a pile depends mainly on the apparent density of the product, the shape and size of the pile and weather conditions. However, the metallization loss is generally very low. For a standard pile of 4,000 MT of HBI with a height of stack of 4.5 meters (15 ft), the highest metallization loss registered has been 3% after six months in rainy tropical conditions.

Inventory Control and Storage.

HBI should be used on a first in first out basis. As pointed out in the previous section, metallization decreases as a consequence of weather conditions, so material used on a first in-last out basis will have variable metallic iron, which will affect yield as well as furnace operation.

The storage area should be located so as to be accessible to the loading equipment and should be as close to the melt shop as practical in order to avoid double handling of the product, which may result in an increase of fines.

HBI should always be stored in an area that has adequate drainage so the piles do not become flooded after rainstorms. It is not recommended to allow the piles to be wetted by anything but rainwater, so they should not be located in areas subject to condensation from cooling towers or carryover of water or solution from other plant equipment.

Due to the relative inert character of HBI, it is not necessary to cover the storage piles to prevent rapid reoxidation. It is generally most efficient to pile the HBI in a tent shaped piles 4-5 meters (about 12 to 15 ft) high as shown in Figure 2. Smaller piles waste storage area and result in higher metallization loss due to the increased surface area per unit volume. In order to form piles higher than 4-5 meters with front-end loaders, it is usually necessary to run the loader on top of piled material, which results in increased breakage. Material can be piled higher than 4-5 meters if a stacker is used.




Figure 2. – Recommended and not recommended HBI stock-piling.


Storage in silos.

If HBI is to be loaded into storage silos for use in continuous charging, the receiving hopper should be equipped with a grizzly to remove large pieces of foreign materials or plates of multiple briquettes that may be occasionally encountered in some HBI.

If the storage silos discharge directly onto feeder belts, there should be sufficient clearance between the silo discharge and the conveyor belt to avoid jamming of briquettes in the discharge opening that may result in damage to the belts. No special care such as the use of nitrogen or other inert gas needs to be considered, as is the case for DRI pellets in silo storage.

Care should be exercised not to mix lime with briquettes in the storage silos. During rainy conditions, the lime may become wetted and will then heat up. This may instigate overheating of the HBI to a hazard condition.

Sight of overheating.

Steaming of HBI piles is not necessarily a sign of overheating. After being wetted by rain, HBI piles will release excess water by heating slightly to around 50 to 60 degrees C (120 to 140 degrees F). Plumes of steam will be seen above the piles. Overheating can be noted by measuring temperatures at the peak of the pile, if there are temperatures in excess of 100 degrees C (212 degrees F), this is a serious indication of material overheating. At this stage, no flame will be present.

Control of overheating.

If overheating to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees C is observed, the material should be removed from the pile and spread out on the ground in a layer of about 0.5 meters (20 inches) using a track equipped bulldozer or front end loader, as shown in Figure 3. Rubber tired front end loaders can be utilized, but tire exposure to high temperature on top of the material should be limited to periods of less than 1 minute before cooling down the tires. Water sprays can be trained on the tires to speed up cool down when the loader is off the pile.




Figure 3. - Controlling procedure for hot material in HBI or DRI stockpiles.


It is imperative not to spray water on an overheated pile of HBI. First, water cannot penetrate to the center of the pile where heat is the highest and secondly, hydrogen can be generated by reaction with water, which further increases risk. It should be emphasized that in all instances where HBI has overheated in piles, the material has been cooled and stabilized simply by lowering the height of the pile and allowing the heat to dissipate.

Other less recommended methods are: to bury the pile under sand or other suitable fine material to cut off oxygen supply; as a final resort, when other alternatives are not practicable, the material can be flooded with water. The second practice may lead to the loss of the HBI due to a high loss of metallization.



HBI is a very stable, it can be handled, stored and transported safely and routinely without any reoxidation by keeping it cool and dry. If these conditions are met during handling from point of production to point of consumption, the percent of metallization of HBI will be the same at the time of use as at the time of production.

Like all iron materials, HBI will rust when exposed to water. However, HBI is normally stored in uncovered, exposed piles. Rusting is confined to the surface layers only, so that the overall loss of metallization of the bulk pile is minimal.

Procedure for Loading HBI.

Ship Condition Prior to Loading.

The following rules should be observed when the ship is to be loaded.

· The master of the ship must have a written certification from the National Cargo Bureau or a competent person appointed by the shipper and recognized by authorities, at the time of loading, is suitable for shipment.

· Each hold and bilge must be as clean and dry as reasonably practicable. Where possible, adjacent ballast tanks, other than double bottom double tanks, must be kept empty. All wooden fixtures, such as battens, must be removed.

· There should not be heat sources, such as steam lines, in the hold.

· Hatches and holds should be watertight.

· Each boundary of a hold in which HBI is to be carried must be resistant to fire and passage of water.

· Radar and RDF scanners should be adequately protected against dust.

HBI Condition Prior to Loading.

· HBI must not be loaded if the product temperature is in excess of 65º C (150ºF).

· The shipper shall certify that the material complies with the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Special Permit 2-85R and the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes, including the limitation of the amount of fines (- 6 mm, or -1/4 in) to 5%.

Loading Procedure.

· HBI loading should only be done in dry weather conditions. If it starts raining during loading, the loading operation must be halted and hatches closed until the rain stops. Loading of wet material is permitted.

· When loading HBI, precautions must be taken to avoid the concentration of fines (- 6 mm) in any location in the cargo holds. The HBI should be evenly distributed in the holds, making the pile as flat as possible.

· When loading is completed, the hatches should be closed immediately, and the ship should be washed thoroughly with high-pressure fresh water sprays. This will remove the dust adhered to the structure.

· After washing is complete, reopen hatches for 1 or 2 days during dry weather to allow dissipation of water from the briquettes. If wet HBI were loaded, they will warm up to about 60ºC (140ºF) and will produce steam and a small amount of hydrogen as they dry.

· The hatches should be opened to allow the hydrogen and water vapor to escape, since these gases are lighter than air. This is a normal condition, and will last 1-2 days until the HBI is dry. Once dry, the briquettes will cool down to about 30ºC (86ºF) and the evolution of steam and hydrogen will cease. At this point, the hatches can be closed.

NOTE: If at any time a loaded cargo hold must be entered, the hold must be checked for adequate oxygen concentration. Before any person enters a hold containing HBI, the hold must be ventilated for a sufficient time to dissipate any accumulated gases and to ensure adequate oxygen for breathing.

Ocean Transportation

During the ocean journey the following rules should be observed

· Hatches should remain closed during ocean shipment to prevent entry of water into the hatches. Do not open hatches in open sea.

· Ventilators should be kept open in transit to allow water vapor to escape, and to prevent reduction of oxygen in the stow. Ventilators can be closed during heavy seas if necessary.

· If a small amount of sea water enters the hold due to hatch cover leaks during heaving seas, follow the same procedure as in the last point of loading procedure should be applied. The steaming may not be noted for 16-24 hours after the ingress of seawater. The HBI contacted by seawater will oxidize to a reddish brown color. This is only superficial and does not affect the quality of the cargo.

· If a hold is breached due to an accident and the hold is flooded with seawater, a bubbling action in the flooded cargo will be noticed due to the production of steam and hydrogen. The water temperature will remain constant - it will not heat up. Leave hatch covers open to allow hydrogen to escape. No explosive gas mixtures will be formed under this condition. Immediately consult the Shipper or the P & I clubs in order to define what further action should be taken. Insure to advise shipper immediately via one of the following: telephone, fax, telex or email.

Inspection of Holds when Ship is Docked at the unloading Port.

Upon arriving at the discharge port, the holds of the ship containing HBI should be inspected. When the vessel arrives at the port, the holds should be inspected to determine the condition of the holds and to determine whether or not there are any hot spots in the pile or evidence of water entrance in the stowage.

The inspection should include the following:

· The weather tightness of the hatch covers. The presence of wetted briquettes on top of the cargo indicates that water has seeped into the hold via the hatch covers.

· Possible entry of water through the double bottom of the hull. This will be indicated by wetted briquettes at the bottom of the pile at the discharging end.

· Distributions of the HBI in each hold for later discharge procedures.

· Presence of hot spots in any of the holds. Hot spots are defined as areas where the temperature exceeds 100 ºC (212 ºF). If hot spots are detected, this material has to be unloaded first.

HBI Unloading

Prior to starting HBI unloading procedures, the following precautions should be taken:

· Radar and RDF scanners should be protected against dust.

· HBI unloading does not have to be halted during rain, but transshipping to other vessels should be halted.

· When unloading with a magnet or clamshell, the drop of the briquettes when discharging should be minimized to reduce breakage and production of fines.

· After unloading, the holds can be rinsed out with high-pressure fresh water to remove any fines that have accumulated.

· After the holds are clean, the top structure should again be washed with fresh water to remove any fines that resulted from the unloading, since dust is aggressive to painted steel.

The type of system available in the port for discharge should be taken into account prior to the actual unloading.

In order to discharge HBI, any system used for discharge of bulk materials can be utilized including:

· Magnets (Since briquettes are magnetic).

· Overhead crane with grab.

· Small front-end loader in hold discharging into buckets.

· Systems to transfer briquettes onto belts, trucks, train cars, or barges.

· When grabs or magnets are used to load trucks, train cars or barges, the material should be dropped the minimum distance possible in order to avoid breakage and production of fines, as show in Figure 4.




Figure 4. - Truck loading recommendation


In the event that a hot spot is located in any of the holds, action should be taken to unload that area of the hold immediately. The HBI should only be transported by truck to a nearby area where it can be spread out to be cooled. Hot HBI should not be loaded into railway cars or barges under any conditions. During final discharge only, a fine spray of water may be used to control dust from HBI.

Barges - Oceangoing

Prior to loading, the barges should be inspected to ensure that the bottom is dry and free of rags, wood or other material that could cause heat-up or contamination. Barges should be equipped with a means of removing water from the cargo. HBI should be evenly distributed in the barge, making the pile as flat as possible and the drop of the briquettes should be minimized, to reduce breakage and production of fines.

HBI must be protected at all times from contact with water, and in case of rain, loading should be halted and the hatches closed. During transport, the following precautions should be taken:

· If the transport is by sea, watertight hatch covers have to be used to prevent ingress of salt water into the barge.

· Rainwater should not be allowed to accumulate in the bottom as this will lead to oxidation of the briquettes, which affects the quality. Bilge pumps should be operable.

Unmanned Barges – Inland waterways

The unmanned covered or uncovered barges may be used for inland waterway transport. If covered, the covers shall be fitted with vents adequate to provide natural ventilation.

After loading, the cargo may remain uncovered. If at any time the cargo compartment of a covered and loaded barge must be entered, the compartment must be checked for adequate oxygen concentration. Before any person enters a cargo compartment containing HBI, the hatches must be opened for a sufficient length of time to dissipate any accumulated gases.

After unloading, the barge shall be cleaned thoroughly before loading a different cargo.

When HBI is transported by barge, a copy of a Coast Guard Special Permit should be on board the tug or towing vessel. When the barge is moored, the shipping paper and a copy of this Special Permit must remain on the barge in a suitable protected location.




Figure 5. - Recommended HBI loading in barges.