Rio Tinto has been granted a patent for a process involving direct reduction of iron ore using briquettes of iron ore fragments and biomass exposed to microwave energy under anoxic conditions. This innovative method generates heat within the briquettes, reducing iron ore in a solid state with biomass acting as a reductant. GlobalData’s report on Rio Tinto gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Rio Tinto, Zinc recovery was a key innovation area identified from patents. Rio Tinto's grant share as of May 2024 was 54%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Microwave-assisted direct reduction of iron ore using biomass
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11959153B2) discloses a process for the direct reduction of iron ore in a solid state using a combination of iron ore fragments and biomass exposed to microwave energy under anoxic conditions. This innovative method generates heat within the briquettes, facilitating the reduction of iron ore while utilizing biomass as a reductant. The process also involves controlling operating conditions to achieve the desired metallization temperature for the iron ore, particularly in the case of hematite, where temperatures between 800-950°C are targeted for effective metallization.
Furthermore, the patented process operates as a continuous system, involving the transportation of briquettes through preheating and heating/reduction chambers under anoxic conditions while subjecting them to electromagnetic energy. The size of the briquettes, ranging from 1-10 cm in major dimension, plays a crucial role in the efficiency of the process. Additionally, the patent covers variations in the process, including both batch and continuous operations, providing flexibility in implementation. Overall, this patented method offers a novel approach to iron ore reduction, combining microwave energy, biomass utilization, and controlled operating conditions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the metallization process.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
