Research Progress on Iron- and Steelmaking Iste Slag-Based Glass-Ceramics: Preparation and GHG Emission Reduction Potentials

Abstract

Promoted by carbon neutrality and solid iste policies, iron- and steelmaking iste slag (ISWS)-based glass-ceramics have drawn attention because of their contribution to achieving the net-zero carbon emissions goal for the iron- and steelmaking industry. However, a holistic estimation of the preparation, property and GHG (greenhouse gas) emission abatement of ISWS-based glass-ceramics is still under exploration. In this paper, research progress on preparing glass-ceramics from ISWS discharged from the traditional iron- and steelmaking industry is reviewed. Then, the influence of ISWS’s chemical characteristics on the preparation of glass-ceramics and the products’ performance are discussed. In addition, the potential of GHG emission reduction related to the promotion of ISWS-based glass-ceramics is measured. It is found that ISWS-based glass-ceramics can avoid 0.87–0.91 tons of CO2 emissions compared to primary resource routes. A scenario simulation is also conducted. If the technology could be fully applied in the ironmaking and steelmaking industries, the results suggest that 2.07 and 0.67 tons of indirect CO2 reductions can be achieved for each ton of crude steel production from blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) and electric arc furnace (EAF) routes, respectively. Finally, a “dual promotion” economic mode based on national policy orientation and the high demands on metallurgical iste slag (MWS)-based glass-ceramics is proposed, and the application prospects of MWS-based glass-ceramics are examined. These application prospects will deepen the fundamental understanding of glass-ceramic properties and enable them to be compounded with other functional materials in various new technologies.