Sustainability of Steel CEE 3100 – Structural Mechanics What is steel?
Steel Production 1.Basic Oxygen Furnace Input: Coal, Iron Ore, 25% steel scrap (approx.) a)Heat up coal to remove impurities → Coke b)Iron oxide (e.g., FE 2 O 3 ) in a blast furnace with coke → Pig Iron (≈ 4% carbon) c)Oxygen blown through molten pig Iron to reduce carbon content (0.2% - 2.1%) 2.Electric Arc Furnace Input: 95% recycled steel scrap Steel melted and purified using electricity
Energy Sources for Steel Production
Steel: Other Sustainability Issues 1.Material Efficiency: High Grade Steel 2.Thermal conductivity 3.Corrosion Protection
4. Regional Materials
Project site Steel mill X% Fabricator Per USGBC, the steel fabricator is the final point of assembly and is therefore the manufacturer in terms of LEED Local/Regional Materials credits (unless steel is delivered directly from the mill to the site). Percentage (based on cost) of the total materials package that is recovered and manufactured within 500 miles of the project site. 10% = 1 credit; 20% = 2 credits. 4. Regional Materials
Steel Production