Metallurgical giant ArcelorMittal is exploring the possibility of using hydrogen gas to reduce carbon emissions in steel production. The company plans to launch a new project in Hamburg in which it will use industrial-scale hydrogen for the direct reduction of iron from ore.
The plant is currently running on natural gas and the aim of the new process is to produce steel with the lowest possible carbon dioxide emissions.
The project will initially be implemented on a demonstration scale with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons of steel per year. The investment is expected to be around 65 million euros.
Hydrogen will be used first, separated from natural gas, and at a later stage converted to renewable hydrogen.
ArcelorMittal signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Freiberg to develop a technical re-equipment detailed design.
Frank Schultz, CEO of ArcelorMittal Germany, said:
“Our plant in Hamburg offers the optimum conditions for this innovative project: a direct reduction electric arc furnace and iron ore pellet storage, as well as decades of know-how in this area. The use of hydrogen as a reducing agent must now be tested in a new shaft furnace. ”
Recall that the transition to hydrogen fuel in metallurgical processes was named by the World Association of Steel Producers as the main issue of the modern steel industry.
