The EU is funding a project by Thyssenkrupp AT.PRO with 1.8 million euros. The subsidiary of Thyssenkrupp Materials Services has developed a new process for introducing hydrogen into conventional blast furnaces. The EU-funded project uses special injection technology to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20 percent.
The blast furnace technology from Thyssenkrupp AT.PRO tec builds on the proven SIP oxygen injection technology, the company announced on Monday (January 13). To research the optimal introduction of hydrogen, the consortium will initially work with helium as a test gas. Process and flow simulations will analyze how the gas distributes in the blast furnace burden.
One advantage of the process: Existing infrastructure can continue to be used. Unlike completely new production processes, existing blast furnaces could be retrofitted for hydrogen use. In conventional steel production, coke is mainly used as a reducing agent, which generates significant amounts of CO2. The use of hydrogen, on the other hand, produces only water vapor. By partially replacing coke coal with hydrogen, up to 20% CO2 emissions could already be saved.
Several partners are involved in the project: Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe conducts laboratory tests, while Primetals Technologies plans and economically evaluates furnace integration. The project coordination lies with the VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut (BFI), which conducts analyses and modeling together with the metallurgical competence center K1-MET. Practical trials with helium injection take place at the Voestalpine site in Linz.
One Ton of Hydrogen Saves Two Tons of CO2
The funding through the European Union's Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) indicates the potential added value of the technology for industrial transformation. The RFCS has been supporting research and innovation projects in steel and coal technologies for years. With funding of 1.8 million euros, the EU covers about half of the project costs. The remaining financing comes from the industrial partners involved.
In injection technology, gas – in this case hydrogen – is specifically injected into the blast furnace under high pressure. The challenge is to introduce the hydrogen in such a way that it distributes optimally in the furnace shaft and can react with the iron ore. The technology could thus represent an intermediate step on the way to fully hydrogen-based steel production. In parallel, the steel industry is also establishing direct reduction plants that can be operated entirely with hydrogen.
The industry is considered an important anchor customer for the development of a hydrogen economy in Germany. With each ton of hydrogen used, about two tons of CO2 can be saved, said Thyssenkrupp Steel hydrogen expert Dr. Alexander Redenius in an interview with H2News.
