The steel industry produces 11% of the world's CO₂ emissions, and the pressure to go green is intensifying. With Net Zero 2050 targets looming, steelmakers are re-evaluating every piece of equipment and every step of their operations. Among all these technologies, oxygen lance has emerged as important: it makes existing Blast Furnaces run more efficiently today while being absolutely essential for Electric Arc Furnaces that will produce tomorrow's green steel.
In this article, we will discuss the role of the oxygen lance in steel decarbonization in both traditional steelmaking methods: BF-BOF and DRI-EAF.
Oxygen lances are consumable steel pipes delivering high-purity oxygen into molten metal during steelmaking. Due to their versatility, they've become standard equipment across all major steel processes: BF-BOF and DRI-EAF, enabling efficient refining operations.
Oxygen lances cut steel industry emissions through two pathways:
For producers transitioning to low-carbon operations, understanding how oxygen lances work in both systems is key to planning successful upgrades.
Decarbonization means reducing carbon emissions. Therefore, a suitable oxygen lance should exhibit both durability and low consumption characteristics. This maximizes carbon removal operations while directly supporting emission reduction goals in steelmaking.
Before exploring the oxygen lance's role in steel decarbonization, let's briefly review the core concepts through the image below.
BF-BOF steelmaking is inherently carbon-intensive. The blast furnace burns massive amounts of coke (1.8-2.5 tons CO₂ per ton of steel), while iron ore reduction reactions release additional CO₂. This route accounts for roughly 70% of global steel production and emissions.
Oxygen lances optimize—but don't eliminate—these emissions by improving process efficiency:
While oxygen lances enhance BF-BOF efficiency, fundamental decarbonization requires transitioning to DRI-EAF routes.
Steel production made by DRI-EAF technology can slash steelmaking emissions by up to 86% versus BF-BOF routes, according to Global Energy Monitor. EAFs currently represent 30% of global steel production and are rapidly expanding.
Unlike their optimization role in BF-BOF, oxygen lances become indispensable in EAF operations—directly enabling the cost and energy reductions that make green steel commercially viable.
Here are key functions driving decarbonization of oxygen lances:
All things considered, the transition to sustainable steel production requires both types of innovation: squeezing maximum efficiency from existing BF-BOF assets while building the EAF capacity that will dominate 21st-century steelmaking. Oxygen lancing technology serves both needs, making it a critical bridge from today's carbon-intensive industry to tomorrow's green steel economy.
This transition demands lances optimized for today's furnaces and tomorrow's green steel—and in Daiwa Lance, we deliver both. If you need help selecting the right lance solution for your operation, contact us today! Our technical specialists will respond within 24 hours to discuss your specific requirements.