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

Jiacheng Cui, Gang Meng, Kaiqiang Zhang, Zongliang Zuo (), Xiangyu Song, Yuhan Zhao and Siyi Luo
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Jiacheng Cui: School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China
Gang Meng: School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, No. 777, Jialingjiang East Rd., Qingdao 266520, China
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
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

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-26

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.

Keywords: iron and steel industry; energy-saving technologies; carbon emissions; system optimization; waste heat recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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