DRI

Direct reduced iron (DRI), also called sponge iron, is produced from the direct reduction of iron ore (in the form of lumps, pellets, or fines) to iron by a reducing gas or elemental carbon produced from natural gas or coal. Many ores are suitable for direct reduction.
DRI is successfully manufactured through either gas or coal-based technology. Iron ore is reduced in solid state at 800-1050 c either by reducing gas (H2+CO) or coal. The direct reduction process uses palletized iron or natural ‘lump’ ore.

 
Usage
Today, sponge iron is created by reducing iron ore without melting it. This makes for an energy-efficient feedstock for specialty steel manufacturers which used to rely upon scrap metal.
While the produced DRI is mainly used as the raw material of electric steelmaking, it is also used as blast furnace feed for energy saving (reduction in coke consumption) and increased production of molten iron at integrated blast furnace steelworks.
Energy saving (reduction in consumption of coal in blast furnaces)
The use of DRI as blast furnace feed enables reduction in coal consumption in blast furnaces.

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