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 Direct Reduced Iron (DRI)
DRI is mined iron ore (in pellet, lump or fine form) that has undergone a process of chemical reduction to remove the oxides from the iron ore. A reducing agent is introduced to the iron ore. A series of chemical reactions occur under high temperature in the presence of a catalyst. The maximum reduction rate is about 95%, and the result is DRI with iron content (purity) of up to 97%.
The resulting DRI is produced in the form of small pellets or lumps. DRI is also known as sponge iron due to its spongy or cell-like microstructure. The relatively small pellet size and the spongy microstructure create a relatively large surface area to volume ratio, which makes re-melting easier. However, it also makes DRI more sensitive to reoxidation and ignition.
DRI can be used to produce a very wide range of steel and other ferrous metal alloys, including carbon steel, tool steel, and stainless steel. As a refined form of iron, DRI can be used as the starting point for the production of practically all types of steel. DRI is primarily used as feedstock for the production of semi-finished long steel products (blooms, billets and beam blanks) and semi-finished flat steel products (slabs).
Semi-finished long steel products
Semi-finished steel products are steel products that require further rolling or forging to produce finished products. The sizes of semi-finished long steel products produced by Perwaja are as follows:
| Product Type |
Length |
Height (mm) |
Width (mm) |
| Billet |
3.9 metres - 12 metres |
120 |
120 |
| Billet |
3.9 metres - 12 metres |
150 |
150 |
| Blooms |
3.9 metres - 12 metres |
200 |
200 |
| Beam Blanks |
3.9 metres - 10 metres |
390 |
390 |
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Billets
Billets are semi-finished lengths of continuously cast steel, of square or rectangular cross-section with width of two to seven inches. Billets are used primarily as feedstock for hot rolling or other processes to produce sections, rods, bars and wire products. A billet is a smaller sized bloom. |
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Blooms
Blooms are semi-finished lengths of continuously cast steel, of square or rectangular cross-section of width more than eight inches. Blooms are used primarily as feedstock for hot rolling to produce heavy sections and beams. A bloom is a bigger sized billet. |
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Beam blanks
Beam blanks are semi-finished lengths of continuously cast steel, used primarily as feedstock for hot rolled I-beams or H-beams. The cross-section of a beam blank is not regular and resembles that of an I-beam or H-beam. Beam blanks are typically larger than a billet. Since beam blanks are in the approximate shape of the final product, using beam blanks instead of bloom or billets uses less energy, thus providing cost savings. |
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