Question 2 [25 marks]
(a) South Africa is a top global manufacturer offerrochromium. In your opinion, what makes
the country a favorable destination for setting up ferroalloy smelters?
[5]
(b) The World Steel Association recently recommended a number of interventions to
mitigate CO2emission by the global ironmaking industry. The most ambitious initiative
involves the replacement of carbon with green hydrogen. What are the key challenges
hindering the implementation of "hydrogen ironmaking"? State and briefly explain five of
them.
[5]
(c) As an expert in iron making, you are participating in a public discussion on prospects of an
ironmaking plant construction in Namibia. The plant should process local iron ore. Your
opponents promote setting up a Blast Furnace plant in Namibia to produce liquid cast
iron. In contrast, you argue that the construction of alternative iron making plant will be
a better choice for this country. Provide three key technical reasons in favor of the
production of sponge iron in Namibia by utilizing gas-based processes of sponge
ironmaking.
[15]
Question 3 [25 marks]
(a) For obtaining the optimum slag viscosity when producing low alloy steel from the low
manganese pig iron the composition of Basic Oxygen Converter slag at ArcelorMittal is to
meet the following requirements:
Indicate and all the necessary tie lines on the diagram provided (Fig. Q3) and estimate the
slag composition.
[5]
Si0 2
___%
.,
,.___•
Y--¥---4---¥--l~•
.,.,o\\
!;.!!Q '?os\\;?;..,,.,.-¾-,-,...,..,.~,,...,.;~+,.,,~.,.,.,,;,..,.,.;~-¥-.,~..:...:.e\\•
";
Figure Q3. Ternary diagram for steelmaking slag.
2