---
title: "Direct reduced iron (DRI)"
description: "Direct reduced iron (DRI) is iron produced from iron-ore pellets by reducing the ore in the solid state, using natural gas, hydrogen or coal as the reducing agent. DRI feeds electric arc furnaces and is the leading candidate for low-carbon iron-making, particularly with hydrogen as the reducer."
canonical_url: "https://sylio.co/glossary/direct-reduced-iron"
last_updated: "2026-06-28T02:29:40.339Z"
---

**Direct reduced iron (DRI)** is iron produced from iron-ore pellets by reducing the ore in the solid state, using natural gas, hydrogen or coal as the reducing agent. DRI feeds [electric arc furnaces](/glossary/electric-arc-furnace) and is the leading candidate for low-carbon iron-making, particularly with hydrogen as the reducer.

## DRI dust-handling issues

DRI processes generate fine iron-bearing dust at multiple points:

- DRI plant baghouse hoppers
- DRI cooler dust extraction
- HBI (hot-briquetted iron) hot screening dust
- Storage-silo discharge points

The dust is fine, dense, and prone to [bridging](/glossary/bridging) under self-weight in tall silos. [Sonic horns](/glossary/sonic-horn) on DRI dust hoppers prevent the discharge interruptions that would otherwise force operator intervention.

## Related terms

- [Electric arc furnace (EAF)](/glossary/electric-arc-furnace)
- [Hopper](/glossary/hopper)
- [Bridging](/glossary/bridging)