Engineering tool
DRI Metallisation Calculator
Work out the degree of metallisation of direct reduced iron from its metallic and total iron content, and see how the figure reads against normal EAF charge practice.
Degree of metallisation — %
Assessment —
Iron still as oxide — %
Metallic iron is always less than or equal to total iron. Above 92% is the usual target for electric-arc-furnace charge.
Formulas used
- Metallisation % = metallic Fe ÷ total Fe × 100
- Iron still as oxide % = 100 − metallisation %
Practical notes
- Every point of metallisation you give up arrives in the furnace as FeO, which has to be reduced there instead — at electricity prices rather than gas prices.
- Unreduced FeO is also aggressive towards a basic lining, so low metallisation shows up twice: on the power bill and in refractory consumption.
Frequently asked questions
What metallisation should I specify?
Above 92% is the usual working target for EAF charge; 94% and above is considered excellent. Below 88% the penalty in power consumption and lining wear starts to outweigh the lower price.
Why does carbon content matter alongside metallisation?
Carbon in the DRI reduces part of the remaining FeO inside the furnace. A slightly lower metallisation with matched carbon can behave better than a higher figure with none.