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Energy efficiency in the United States iron and steel industry: An international perspective

Conference ·
OSTI ID:20001923
Energy consumption of the US iron and steel industry is compared to that in Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Poland. The authors show that there was a general trend towards a reduction in the energy used per ton of steel produced between 1971 and 1994 in most countries. However, in the US, Japan, France, and Poland this decreasing trend appears to have reversed in the early 1990s and the authors recommend further analysis to determine the factors contributing to this reversal. Using a decomposition analysis based on physical indicators for process type and product mix, they show that specific energy consumption decreased significantly in the US, Germany, and China between 1980 and 1991. In the US, about two-thirds of this decrease was due to efficiency improvements, while the remainder was due to structural changes. A structural/efficiency analysis shows that China, Brazil, Poland, and the US have the largest potential for energy savings in the iron and steel industry.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab., CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
Environmental Protection Agency; US Department of Energy
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
20001923
Report Number(s):
CONF-970750--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English