| Project Detail |
Limelight Steel is developing a laser furnace to convert iron ore into iron metal without emitting carbon dioxide at lower cost than a blast furnace. The process leverages semiconductor laser diodes, which enable new temperature and pressure ranges to reduce high- and low-grade iron ore fines into molten iron metal. The approach eliminates the need to sinter or pelletize iron ore for traditional ironmaking furnaces. Limelight estimates that their technology would reduce energy consumption of steelmaking by 46% and emissions by 81%.
Market Impact Potential:
The proposed laser furnace approach represents a disruptive ironmaking technology because it eliminates the need for carbon or hydrogen as a reducing agent, which is essential for incumbent ironmaking furnaces like blast furnaces and hydrogen shaft furnaces. Limelight’s technology would empower steel manufacturers to purchase sustainably sourced iron at a comparable prince point to existing options. By providing molten material, steel producers could skip over high-energy, high-cost iron melting processes. |
