Book excerpt: This book, in its second edition, continues to offer a comprehensive treatise on smelting reduction of iron oxide—an emerging alternative method of producing hot metal without using coke. This technique is being increasingly used for hot metal production, which has till date, been dominated by the traditional blast furnace method. Shortage of coking coal, high cost of coke and the recent enforcement of stricter environmental regulations have resulted in the advent of smelting reduction as a supplementary method of hot metal production. The book covers the details of this rapidly emerging method that holds particular relevance for countries like India, endowed with relatively large reserves of high grade iron ore but unfortunately, not matched by the availability of coking coal. The book offers an in-depth analysis of the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of smelting reduction. It begins by acquainting the readers with the current worldwide status of ironmaking, followed by the classification of the various smelting reduction processes. It then focuses on explaining the fundamentals of smelting reduction before proceeding with a critical appraisal of the various smelting reduction processes that are currently available. The future of this methodology in India and in the rest of the world is discussed in the concluding chapter. The book contains numerous illustrations to provide a clear understanding of the different processes, equipment and quality parameters relevant to smelting reduction-based ironmaking. The book is intended mainly for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering (particularly metallurgical engineering) students seeking an insight into this emerging ironmaking technology. It would also be of immense interest to researchers and technologists engaged in the subject of smelting reduction of iron oxide. A variety of chapter-end references would enable teachers and students to get acquainted with the extensive knowledge already available in this field. HIGHLIGHTS OF SECOND EDITION • Two new sections on HIsarna process and Circosmelt process have been incorporated. • New figures and tables have been used in some sections to illustrate the concepts with better clarity and give the up-to-date information. • Some references have also been added, making the text suitable for further study.