Systems and methods for improved carbon capture associated with molten metal production

A method for molten metal production with carbon capture, the method comprising:

• combusting a fuel in the presence of a metal ore and a reducing gas in a metallurgical reactor and receiving from the metallurgical reactor at least a molten metal product and a top gas including carbon dioxide (CO2) and a combustible component;
• introducing at least a portion of the top gas to a combustor arranged downstream of the metallurgical reactor and combusting the top gas with an oxidant in the combustor to provide a combustion product stream;
• capturing CO2 from the combustion product stream;
• recycling a first portion of the captured CO2 to the combustor;
• and
• expanding a second portion of the captured CO2 to produce electrical power.