Location

The Briquette Plant is located within the facilities of CVG Ferrominera Orinoco, C.A., along the Caracas–Puerto Ordaz highway, Bolívar State, Venezuela.

Characteristics

This is a direct reduction plant with hot discharge, operating with a hybrid configuration that combines MIDREX® technology and Lummus steam‑reforming technology. The plant has an annual production capacity of 1 million tons of Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI), and a Modification and Expansion Project is underway to increase its capacity to 1.4 million tons per year.

History

In 1990, the Briquette Plant began operations under OPCO, a subsidiary of Kobe Steel (KSL). In 1996, production capacity was expanded from 830 kt/year to 1.0 Mt/year by increasing the supply of reducing gas. A small MIDREX® reformer was installed to complement the existing Lummus steam reformers.

The plant operated for eleven years until March 2001, when operations were halted due to economic and financial issues affecting the operator. In October 2001, CVG and KSL/OPCO signed a Transition Agreement for early transfer of the plant. In December of the same year, the Briquette Plant resumed operations.

In January 2007, CVG initiated negotiations to regain operational control of the Briquette Plant under the administration of CVG Ferrominera Orinoco, C.A. The definitive milestone occurred on June 1, 2007, when OPCO—subsidiary of Kobe Steel—formally transferred full administration and operation of the plant to Ferrominera Orinoco.

Lummus Technology Application

The Lummus steam reformers produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide (reformed gas) from natural gas and excess steam, supplying the reducing gas required for the direct reduction process.

Characteristics of the three Lummus steam reformers

• 120 catalytic tubes each
• Nickel‑based catalyst
• Reforming temperature: 900–1,000 °C
• Reformed gas temperature: 820–850 °C
• Gas flow to the reactor: 70,000 NMCH per reformer
• Reformed gas outlet pressure: 3.2 bar

MIDREX® Technology Application

The MIDREX® (stoichiometric) reformer produces hydrogen and carbon monoxide from natural gas, steam, and top gas (CO₂‑rich gas) recycled from the shaft furnace. This gas is used directly in the reduction process.

Characteristics of the MIDREX® reformer

• 90 catalytic tubes
• Nickel‑based catalyst
• Reforming temperature: 1,000–1,100 °C
• Reformed gas temperature: 920–960 °C
• Gas flow to the reactor: 42,000 NMCH
• Reformed gas outlet pressure: 1.3 bar