1. Direct reduction principle

This reduction, or rather, deoxidation of iron ores, i.e. iron oxides, must be examined from the following four points of view:

• the stoichiometric aspects of the corresponding chemical reactions, which will give the theoretical requirements of all the reagents and, in particular, of the reducing agents;

• the thermochemical aspects of these same reactions, which will lead to theoretical energy balances;

• the equilibria established in the reduction of iron oxides by gases;

• and the kinetic aspects of these reactions.