What is DRI (Direct Reduced Iron)

Direct-reduced iron (DRI), also called Sponge iron, is produced from direct reduction Iron (in the form of lumps, pellets or fines) by a reducing gas produced from natural gas or coal. ‘Reduced iron’ derives its name from the chemical change that iron ore undergoes when it is heated in a furnace at high temperatures in the presence of hydrocarbon-rich gasses. Direct reduction refers to processes which reduce iron oxides to metallic iron below the melting point of iron. The product of such solid state processes are called direct reduced iron. The reducing gas is a mixture of gasses, primarily hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO). The process temperature is typically 800 to 1050 °C.