Seal gas optimization systems and methods for a direct reduction process

A method for operating a seal gas compressor utilized in a direct reduction process, the method comprising:

• monitoring a pH level of a water stream used in the seal gas compressor, wherein the pH level of the water stream is affected by a reformer flue gas stream that comes into contact with the water stream, wherein the monitoring step is carried out at one or more locations upstream of the seal gas compressor and downstream of the seal gas compressor;
• adjusting the pH level of the water stream to maintain the pH level of the water stream within a predetermined range based on feedback from the monitoring step;
• monitoring a corrosiveness of the water stream used in the seal gas compressor, wherein the corrosiveness of the water stream is affected by the reformer flue gas stream that comes into contact with the water stream;
• and
• adjusting the corrosiveness of the water stream to maintain the corrosiveness of the water stream within a predetermined range under 2.0 mpy based on feedback from the monitoring step.