SBIR/STTR Research Award
Laser Furnace for Reduction of Iron Ore to Iron Metal
Award amount
$914,327Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IIAward year
2024Award details
- Awarding agency
- Department of Energy
- Branch
- ARPA-E
- Recipient company
- LIMELIGHT STEEL INC.
- Proposal award date
- 2024-07-12
- Contract end date
- 2027-07-11
- UEI
- FYHSELB1S2V5
- Solicitation number
- DE-FOA-0003118
- Topic code
- DE-FOA-0003118
Research abstract
Limelight Steel is developing a laser furnace to convert iron ore into iron metal without emitting carbon dioxide at lower cost than a blast furnace. The process leverages semiconductor laser diodes, which enable new temperature and pressure ranges to reduce high- and low-grade iron ore fines into molten iron metal. The approach eliminates the need to sinter or pelletize iron ore for traditional ironmaking furnaces. Limelight estimates that their technology would reduce energy consumption of steelmaking by 46% and emissions by 81%.
Technology keywords
Not reported
Other awards by this recipient
Verified by the same UEI. These are other public SBIR/STTR award pages, not a merged company record.
Research funding history
2 SBIR/STTR records share this UEI (2024). Reported award amounts total $1,189,327. Reported amounts are not federal obligations.
Phases: Phase II, Phase I
Agencies: National Science Foundation, Department of Energy