Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Iron Research (MPIE) study potential of green ammonia as means to produce green steel.
Here’s an article found in chemeurope.
According to the article,
- Steel production contributes to about 7% of global CO2 emissions.
- Hydrogen-based ironmaking is being explored as a sustainable alternative to reduce these emissions.
- The challenge is to produce energy and hydrogen in sustainable ways for the steelmaking process.
- Max Planck Institute for Iron Research used ammonia as a hydrogen carrier and reductant for iron.
Benefits of Green Ammonia in Green Steel Production
- Efficient Hydrogen Carrier: Ammonia serves as an effective hydrogen carrier, allowing for easier storage and transportation compared to hydrogen gas. This is particularly advantageous because hydrogen requires high pressures or low temperatures for storage, which can be costly and energy-intensive.
- Cost Reduction: The direct use of ammonia as a reductant in iron ore processing can reduce overall costs by approximately 18% compared to traditional hydrogen-based methods. This is primarily due to the elimination of the need to crack ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen before use.
- Similar Reduction Kinetics: Research indicates that the kinetics of ammonia-based direct reduction are comparable to those of hydrogen-based reduction, achieving similar metallization degrees. This means that the effectiveness of steel production is maintained while utilizing a more efficient process.
- Formation of Protective Nitrides: During the cooling process, ammonia-based reduction leads to the formation of nitrides, which can enhance the corrosion resistance of the produced sponge iron. This protective phase can be removed during subsequent melting processes, facilitating easier handling of the material.
- Utilization of Existing Infrastructure: The established logistics for ammonia transport mean that the transition to ammonia-based steel production can leverage existing infrastructure with only minor modifications to current furnace technologies, such as electric arc furnaces and shaft furnaces.
- Environmental Benefits: The use of ammonia in steelmaking has been shown to not produce nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are harmful greenhouse gases. This contributes to a lower environmental impact compared to traditional methods.
- Integration with Renewable Energy: Green ammonia can be synthesized using renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, making it a sustainable option for reducing emissions in the steel industry. This integration helps to decouple steel production from fossil fuel dependency.
- Heat Carrier Role: The nitrogen by-product from ammonia decomposition can act as a heat carrier in industrial processes, potentially improving energy efficiency during iron ore reduction.
Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:
Green Ammonia’s Future: European Summit 2024: ACI article highlights key elements of the summit, including dates (March 6-7, 2024), location (Düsseldorf, Germany), and agenda featuring keynote speeches and workshops. Green Ammonia’s Role in Hydrogen Market: Green ammonia projects face evolving prospects. Selling to existing ammonia market may be better than conversion to hydrogen due to cost and efficiency concerns.
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