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Hydrogen End Use – Steel Manufacturing

Hydrogen is increasingly being explored as a cleaner alternative in the steel manufacturing industry. Traditional steel production processes often involve the use of carbon-intensive methods, contributing to significant carbon dioxide emissions. The incorporation of hydrogen into steel production has the potential to reduce the environmental impact. Here are several ways hydrogen is being considered for use in steel manufacturing:

 

Direct Reduction of Iron Ore:

  • In the traditional blast furnace method, iron ore is reduced using carbon-based materials like coke. This process emits large amounts of carbon dioxide. Hydrogen can be used as a reducing agent in the direct reduction of iron ore, bypassing the need for carbon.
  • Hydrogen-based direct reduction methods, such as the Midrex process and H-DR processes, involve reacting iron ore pellets with hydrogen to produce direct reduced iron (DRI) or sponge iron. This cleaner process reduces CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods.

Hydrogen Injection in Blast Furnaces:

  •  Another approach is to inject hydrogen into traditional blast furnaces alongside carbon-based fuels. This reduces the reliance on coke and decreases the carbon intensity of the process.
  • This method, known as hydrogen injection, is a transitional approach that allows existing blast furnaces to gradually incorporate hydrogen, potentially leading to a cleaner steel production process.

Hydrogen-Based Electric Arc Furnaces:

  • Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs) are another common method for steel production, particularly in recycling scrap steel. These furnaces use electricity to melt scrap and produce steel.
  • Hydrogen can be used as a clean source of energy for electricity generation in EAFs, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.

Hydrogen as a Reducing Agent in Smelting:

  • Hydrogen has the potential to replace carbon in various smelting processes, acting as a reducing agent in the production of steel and other metals.
  • Smelting processes using hydrogen can help achieve cleaner metal extraction and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional methods.

Decarbonization of Steel Production:

  • The use of hydrogen in steel manufacturing is part of a broader industry-wide effort to decarbonize steel production. This includes developing hydrogen-based technologies and implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions to address emissions from traditional processes.

 

Challenges and Considerations:

Hydrogen Availability:

  • Ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply of hydrogen is crucial for large-scale adoption in the steel industry.

Technology Development:

  • Advancements in hydrogen-based technologies for steel production, such as direct reduction processes, are ongoing and require further research and development.

Infrastructure and Investment:

  • The transition to hydrogen-based steel production involves significant infrastructure changes and investments. This includes adapting existing facilities or building new ones equipped for hydrogen-based processes.

Cost Competitiveness:

  • Hydrogen-based steel production methods need to become economically competitive with traditional methods to encourage widespread adoption.

The steel industry is actively exploring hydrogen-based solutions to achieve cleaner and more sustainable steel production. As technology advances and the broader energy landscape evolves, hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the transformation of the steel manufacturing sector towards a low-carbon future.

Latest in the news:

2.22.24 EnergyWire released an article that delves into the global race for zero-emission steel production, with a focus on the utilization of hydrogen in the steelmaking process. Lourenco Goncalves, CEO of Cleveland-Cliffs, underscores hydrogen’s transformative potential in ironmaking and steelmaking, aiming to decarbonize the industry. However, U.S. steel companies, such as Cleveland-Cliffs, lag behind their European counterparts, including SSAB and H2 Green Steel, which have already demonstrated and commercialized zero-emissions steel. The piece highlights the critical need for U.S. policy and investment in green steel, as the industry accounts for 7-8% of global emissions. Initiatives like the “Race to Green Steel” campaign encourage U.S. automakers to adopt cleaner steel, while the Department of Energy plays a pivotal role in supporting hydrogen-based demonstration projects and funding programs to accelerate the transition to cleaner steel production. The challenges, potential solutions, and the role of legislation, such as the “PROVE IT Act,” in shaping the future of emissions-intensive industries are explored in this insightful overview of the evolving steel sector.

Read full article here: Hydrogen emerges as path to clean steel – E&E News by POLITICO (eenews.net)