Natural Gas Super Reducer (GSR)

KWG's plan is to reduce the unprocessed chromite ore using a southern 'natural gas super reducer (GSR)' in place of the combination of a northern ROF mine site "electric concentrator" and a southern electric powered ferrochome smelter.



Source: The Linde Group: Furnace Atmospheres for Tube Annealing: specific heat treatment requirements of the tube manufacturing process

'Annealing' softens and homogenizes pre-existing metal and is not directly involved with the pre-reduction of chromite, however both processes must deal with the laws of thermodynamics and it's equilibrium. The methane gas compatibility seen above is in relation to the annealing system hardware like cylinder and valve materials, not the interaction to input or reductants inside a pressurized closed furnace system of Figures 2 & 3 and Table 1.

Apart from the form of chromite and iron ore input (lump, pellet, fines) and their composition and sizes, and the reductant fuels, the reduction of chromite using a natural gas fired furnace, roaster or other system in place of an AC or DC Submerged Electric Arc Furnace (SAF) introduces changes to and the addition and order of the set of thermo dynamic parameters, or state variables such as volume, pressure, temperature, electric field, etc., to achieve the desired mechanical, radiative and/or chemical reduction process. Also, aside from benefits of increased environmental and financial sustainability, it is technically advantageous to introduce a gas fired power asset into the grid, for arc furnaces at the refinery rapidly spike electricity demand. - Laura Brown