US 11,788,158 B2
Systems and methods for steel production
James Maurice Small, Fredericton (CA)
Assigned to PATHFINDER HOLDINGS CORP., Toronto (CA)
Filed by Pathfinder Holdings Corp., Toronto (CA)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/109,649.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/311,337, filed on Feb. 17, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0257838 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
Int. Cl. C21B 13/00 (2006.01); C22C 33/04 (2006.01); C21B 11/10 (2006.01)
CPC C21B 13/0006 (2013.01) [C21B 11/10 (2013.01); C21B 13/0073 (2013.01); C22C 33/04 (2013.01); C21B 2300/02 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for steel production, the method comprising:
forming a hydrogen (H2) and a carbon from a natural gas using a thermal plasma electrolysis system;
reducing iron ore fines with the H2 to form an iron briquette;
melting the iron briquette in a furnace to form a molten iron and non-metallic slag;
separating the non-metallic slag from the molten iron;
introducing the carbon into the molten iron; and
alloying the melted iron with the carbon to form a steel.