Process for the production of steel using a locally produced hydrogen as the reducing agent

Abstract

A manufacturing plant and process for producing steel from iron ore, at the iron ore mine, using a locally produced hydrogen as the reducing agent, where the hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, using electricity generated by a wind power generator, thereby producing the cheapest possible reducing agent, on the mine site and producing steel with only oxygen and water vapor as the effluents from the process.

1 . A process for producing steel in which hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of water using electric power produced by a wind power generator, as the reducing agent. 
   
   
       2 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the reducing agent (hydrogen) may be produced at the mine site. 
   
   
       3 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the only effluents from the steel making process are oxygen and water vapor. 
   
   
       4 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the reducing agent (hydrogen) is cooled and condensed so that it can be stored, thereby giving a potential for continuous operation in spite of inconsistent winds. 
   
   
       5 . A process according to  claim 1  in which the desired quality of the steel may be acquired using additives during the smelting and forming stages. The primary product from the Bristlecone Steel Process being what is typically called a stainless melting base.