Direct reduction process utilizing hydrogen

A method for the direct reduction of iron, comprising:

• using hydrogen as a chemical carrier for removal of oxygen from iron ore and regenerating resulting steam by electrolysis;
• wherein top gas from a shaft furnace is dedusted without condensing steam in the top gas;
• wherein no liquid water is added to a process loop associated with the method;
• wherein the hydrogen is produced using water vapor present in the top gas from the shaft furnace using an electrolyzer forming a portion of the process loop;
• and
• wherein a carburizing zone below a reduction zone of the shaft furnace is used to increase a direct reduced iron carbon percentage and the hydrogen is separated and delivered to the process loop, thereby forming a secondary gas loop comprising:
• solid material entering the carburization zone via gravity and interacting with a gas to add carbon to the direct reduced iron;
• a gas stream then exiting the carburizing zone and entering the dedusting step to remove solid particulates;
• hydrogen being removed from the gas using a gas separation unit and being returned to the process loop;
• natural gas or another carburizing gas being introduced into the gas;
• and
• a compressor being used to increase the pressure of the gas to provide motive force for gas circulation and separation.