� TECHNOLOGY �
Many plants are now switching to fully automated asset monitoring , to digitally transform their maintenance planning and reduce their costs through the early diagnosis and analysis of developing issues .
How advanced automation technology is driving the transition to green steel manufacturing
Sergei Mishin of Emerson explains how digitally-enabled , smarter plants using DRI processes and electric arc furnace technology can not only achieve more sustainable , high-quality production but also be economically viable .
As global decarbonisation gains momentum , many steel manufacturers are transitioning to the direct reduction iron ( DRI ) process to achieve greener and more sustainable production , reducing CO2 emissions by as much as 90 % compared to the blast furnace method . However , while the environmental benefits of green steel production are clear , the switch to DRI and electric arc furnace ( EAF ) processes involves significant capital expenditure costs . Manufacturers exploring greenfield project developments or modernisation of their existing sites must , therefore , be able to make a case for achieving a fast return on investment ( ROI ) and ensure the economic viability of transitioning to a more sustainable method of production . To expedite their ROI , manufacturers need to reduce project risk , get production online quickly , and optimise their processes to ensure that their plant operates as safely and efficiently as possible .
The implementation of automation technology is essential to the safe and efficient operation of a DRI
32 Green Steel World | Issue 9 | November 2023