IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i10p2473-d1653659.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Research Progress on Energy-Saving Technologies and Methods for Steel Metallurgy Process Systems—A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Jiacheng Cui

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Gang Meng

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kaiqiang Zhang

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China)

  • Zongliang Zuo

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China
    Key Laboratory of Industrial Fluid Energy Conservation and Pollution Control, Ministry of Education, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China)

  • Xiangyu Song

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China)

  • Yuhan Zhao

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China)

  • Siyi Luo

    (School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China)

Abstract

Against the backdrop of global energy crises and climate change, the iron and steel industry, as a typical high energy consumption and high-emission sector, faces rigid constraints for energy conservation and emission reduction. This paper systematically reviews the research progress and application effects of energy-saving technologies across the entire steel production chain, including coking, sintering, ironmaking, steelmaking, continuous casting, and rolling processes. Studies reveal that technologies such as coal moisture control (CMC) and coke dry quenching (CDQ) significantly improve energy utilization efficiency in the coking process. In sintering, thick-layer sintering and flue gas recirculation (FGR) technologies reduce fuel consumption while enhancing sintered ore performance. In ironmaking, high-efficiency pulverized coal injection (PCI) and hydrogen-based fuel injection effectively lower coke ratios and carbon emissions. Integrated and intelligent innovations in continuous casting and rolling processes (e.g., endless strip production, ESP) substantially reduce energy consumption. Furthermore, the system energy conservation theory, through energy cascade utilization and full-process optimization, drives dual reductions in comprehensive energy consumption and carbon emission intensity. The study emphasizes that future advancements must integrate hydrogen metallurgy, digitalization, and multi-energy synergy to steer the industry toward green, high-efficiency, and low-carbon transformation, providing technical support for China’s “Dual Carbon” goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiacheng Cui & Gang Meng & Kaiqiang Zhang & Zongliang Zuo & Xiangyu Song & Yuhan Zhao & Siyi Luo, 2025. "Research Progress on Energy-Saving Technologies and Methods for Steel Metallurgy Process Systems—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-26, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2473-:d:1653659
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2473/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2473/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ming Yan & Xinnan Song & Jin Tian & Xuebin Lv & Ze Zhang & Xiaoyan Yu & Shuting Zhang, 2020. "Construction of a New Type of Coal Moisture Control Device Based on the Characteristic of Indirect Drying Process of Coking Coal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Liu, Changxin & Xie, Zhihui & Sun, Fengrui & Chen, Lingen, 2017. "Exergy analysis and optimization of coking process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 694-705.
    3. Sen Wang & Yarong Shi & Shixin Liu, 2020. "Integrated Scheduling for Steelmaking Continuous Casting— Hot Rolling Processes considering Hot Chain Logistics," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2020, pages 1-10, May.
    4. Brunke, Jean-Christian & Blesl, Markus, 2014. "A plant-specific bottom-up approach for assessing the cost-effective energy conservation potential and its ability to compensate rising energy-related costs in the German iron and steel industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 431-446.
    5. Tamara Chistyakova & Inna Novozhilova & Vladimir Kozlov & Andrey Shevchik, 2023. "Resource and Energy Saving Control of the Steelmaking Converter Process, Taking into Account Waste Recycling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-21, January.
    6. Yi, Qun & Wu, Guo-sheng & Gong, Min-hui & Huang, Yi & Feng, Jie & Hao, Yan-hong & Li, Wen-ying, 2017. "A feasibility study for CO2 recycle assistance with coke oven gas to synthetic natural gas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 149-161.
    7. Sun, Kai & Tseng, Chen-Ting & Shan-Hill Wong, David & Shieh, Shyan-Shu & Jang, Shi-Shang & Kang, Jia-Lin & Hsieh, Wei-Dong, 2015. "Model predictive control for improving waste heat recovery in coke dry quenching processes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 275-283.
    8. Zeng, De-Liang & Hu, Yong & Gao, Shan & Liu, Ji-Zhen, 2015. "Modelling and control of pulverizing system considering coal moisture," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 55-63.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang, Qingchun & Zhang, Dawei & Zhou, Huairong & Zhang, Chenwei, 2018. "Process simulation, analysis and optimization of a coal to ethylene glycol process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 521-534.
    2. Liu, Changxin & Xie, Zhihui & Sun, Fengrui & Chen, Lingen, 2017. "Exergy analysis and optimization of coking process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 694-705.
    3. Feng, Chao & Zhu, Rong & Wei, Guangsheng & Dong, Kai & Xia, Tao, 2023. "Typical case of CO2 capture in Chinese iron and steel enterprises: Exergy analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    4. An, Runying & Yu, Biying & Li, Ru & Wei, Yi-Ming, 2018. "Potential of energy savings and CO2 emission reduction in China’s iron and steel industry," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C), pages 862-880.
    5. Andreas Schiessl & Richard Müller & Rebekka Volk & Konrad Zimmer & Patrick Breun & Frank Schultmann, 2020. "Integrating site-specific environmental impact assessment in supplier selection: exemplary application to steel procurement," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 90(9), pages 1409-1457, November.
    6. Elisiane S. Lima & João M. P. Q. Delgado & Ana S. Guimarães & Wanderson M. P. B. Lima & Ivonete B. Santos & Josivanda P. Gomes & Rosilda S. Santos & Anderson F. Vilela & Arianne D. Viana & Genival S. , 2021. "Drying and Heating Processes in Arbitrarily Shaped Clay Materials Using Lumped Phenomenological Modeling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-25, July.
    7. Zhang, Junxia & Zhong, Junfeng & Yang, Li & Wang, Zehua & Chen, Dongrui & Wang, Qiaoli, 2024. "Enhancement effect of semicoke waste heat on energy conservation and hydrogen production from biomass gasification," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C).
    8. Brage Rugstad Knudsen & Hanne Kauko & Trond Andresen, 2019. "An Optimal-Control Scheme for Coordinated Surplus-Heat Exchange in Industry Clusters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-22, May.
    9. Lin Lu & Zhipeng Yan & Xilong Yao & Yunfei Han, 2025. "An Investigation into the Effects of Coke Dry Quenching Waste Heat Production on the Cost of the Steel Manufacturing Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-30, May.
    10. Xu, Bin & Lin, Boqiang, 2017. "Assessing CO2 emissions in China's iron and steel industry: A nonparametric additive regression approach," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 325-337.
    11. Michael Bampaou & Kyriakos Panopoulos & Panos Seferlis & Amaia Sasiain & Stephane Haag & Philipp Wolf-Zoellner & Markus Lehner & Leokadia Rog & Przemyslaw Rompalski & Sebastian Kolb & Nina Kieberger &, 2022. "Economic Evaluation of Renewable Hydrogen Integration into Steelworks for the Production of Methanol and Methane," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-26, June.
    12. Xiang, Dong & Jin, Tong & Lei, Xinru & Liu, Shuai & Jiang, Yong & Dong, Zhongbing & Tao, Quanbao & Cao, Yan, 2018. "The high efficient synthesis of natural gas from a joint-feedstock of coke-oven gas and pulverized coke via a chemical looping combustion scheme," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 944-954.
    13. Liu, Xianmei & Liu, Yuxiang & Bai, Caiquan & Peng, Rui & Chi, Yuanying, 2024. "Pathways for decarbonizing China's iron and steel industry using cost-effective mitigation technologies: An integrated analysis with top-down and bottom-up models," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PA).
    14. Radwan A. Almasri & A. F. Almarshoud & Hanafy M. Omar & Khaled Khodary Esmaeil & Mohammed Alshitawi, 2020. "Exergy and Economic Analysis of Energy Consumption in the Residential Sector of the Qassim Region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-20, March.
    15. Yin, Xiaohong & Wang, Xinli & Li, Shaoyuan & Cai, Wenjian, 2016. "Energy-efficiency-oriented cascade control for vapor compression refrigeration cycle systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 1006-1019.
    16. Sami, Sourena & Gholizadeh, Mohammad & Deymi-Dashtebayaz, Mahdi, 2025. "A comprehensive 5E analysis of synthetic natural gas production through direct air capture and renewable hydrogen: Based on a specified-scale residential application," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    17. Pashchenko, Dmitry, 2018. "First law energy analysis of thermochemical waste-heat recuperation by steam methane reforming," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 478-487.
    18. May, Gökan & Stahl, Bojan & Taisch, Marco, 2016. "Energy management in manufacturing: Toward eco-factories of the future – A focus group study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 628-638.
    19. Ze Zhang & Shuting Zhang, 2021. "Indirect Drying and Coking Characteristics of Coking Coal with Soda Residue Additive," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-17, January.
    20. Michał Rejdak & Michał Książek & Małgorzata Wojtaszek-Kalaitzidi & Anna Rodź & Bartosz Mertas & Sten Yngve Larsen & Piotr Szecówka, 2024. "A Study on Bio-Coke Production—The Influence of Biochar Addition to the Coking Blend on Bio-Coke Quality Parameters," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-22, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2473-:d:1653659. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.