[[the goal of the project is to build a strong technical foundation regarding slag design for the development of the hertha green iron & steel production process

Ensuring the optimal slag medium is fundamental to successful process implementation.]] 3.1 objectives [[the project has a number of objectives stemming from the role that the slag plays in ensuring an efficient and effective smelting process.]] 3.1.1 slag composition optimization [[the core objective is to optimize the composition of the slag bath for hydrogen reduction of iron oxide in a DC EAF. This requires attention to a number of specific sub-objectives:]] 3.1.1.1 iron oxide assimilation in the bath [[to design a slag with the ability to quickly assimilate the iron oxide feed through dispersion and dissolution.]] 3.1.1.2 iron oxide reduction rate [[to optimize the slag composition for rapid hydrogen-slag reaction kinetics to make most efficient use of the hydrogen reductant.]] 3.1.1.3 slag heat transfer [[to ensure the slag has appropriate properties to effectively transfer heat from the area of concentrated heat generation at the electric ARC to the iron oxide feed and hydrogen reductant.]] 3.1.1.4 slag bath containment [[to develop a slag composition that allows for a sustainable slag freeze lining compatible with the desired refractory furnace lining.]] 3.1.1.5 slag-metal separation [[to optimize conditions for the separation of metal and slag within the constraints of process fluid dynamics.]] 3.1.2 evaluation of refractory compatibility [[to understand the reaction mechanisms between different refractory materials and slag compositions. This work will be conducted by idaho national laboratory.]] 3.1.3 integrated slag-process model [[to construct a process model of the slag bath which integrates all critical features covered in this project to quantitatively predict the state of each as a function of slag composition and operating conditions.]] 3.1.4 pilot testing [[to demonstrate 300 KG per day scale operation of green iron production through the novel hydrogen-electric smelting reduction furnace. Success will be demonstrated by pilot tests which assess slag design for the integrated process where all phenomena are present.]]