Cleveland-Cliffs makes history in the steel sector; partnered with Linde for hydrogen supply; further plans to incorporate across all furnaces
Here’s an article from nwitimes about the new step taken by Cleveland-Cliffs towards Green Steel future.
According to the post,
- First in the USA: Inject hydrogen into a blast furnace, reducing CO2 emissions.
- Cleaner Steel: Produces “clean pig iron” for high-end steel without sacrificing quality.
- Game-Changer: Paves the way for wider adoption of hydrogen-powered blast furnaces.
- Market Leader: Cliffs positions itself as a leader in sustainable steel production.
Hydrogen injection into a blast furnace can significantly impact the overall efficiency of the process. Here are the key effects:
- Coke Replacement Ratio: Hydrogen injection can replace a portion of the coke used in the blast furnace, leading to a reduction in coke consumption. This is particularly significant as coke is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions in the steel production process.
- Productivity: Hydrogen injection can boost blast furnace productivity by up to 13.7% through increased reduction of iron oxides and enhanced thermal efficiency.
- Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction: The use of hydrogen as a reductant and fuel source in the blast furnace can reduce direct CO2 emissions by 10.2% to 17.8% depending on the oxygen enrichment level and blast temperature.
- Hydrogen Utilization Efficiency: The hydrogen utilization efficiency in the blast furnace is influenced by the interplay of indirect reduction by CO and H2. However, the total efficiency of hydrogen utilization can peak at 0.52–0.54 H2O/(H2O + H2).
- Thermal Reserve Zone: Hydrogen injection can affect the thermal reserve zone in the blast furnace, which is critical for maintaining a stable and efficient process. This zone is responsible for the thermal energy required for the reduction of iron oxides.
- Water Gas Shift Reaction: The water gas shift reaction is intensified at higher hydrogen injection rates, which can impact the CO and H2 utilization in the top gas. This reaction is crucial for the efficient use of hydrogen in the blast furnace.
- Operating Conditions: The optimal operating conditions for hydrogen injection, such as blast temperature and oxygen enrichment, need to be carefully controlled to ensure a stable and efficient process. Higher blast temperatures can further reduce direct CO2 emissions.
Overall, hydrogen injection into a blast furnace can significantly improve the efficiency of the process by reducing coke consumption, increasing productivity, and decreasing carbon dioxide emissions. However, the optimal operating conditions and hydrogen utilization efficiency need to be carefully managed to ensure the best results.
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Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:
- Green Hydrogen in India’s Steel Industry – Jindal Stainless’s Projects: Jindal Stainless is pioneering the use of green hydrogen for sustainable steel production in India, with a pilot project in Hisar set to go live by December 2023.
- BHP’s Hydrogen Furnace to Replace Coking Coal in Steelmaking: BHP plans to develop an electric smelting furnace (ESF) that uses hydrogen to replace coking coal, marking a significant step towards “green steel”
- Hydrogen Injection For Green Steel Production – by Tata Steel: Tata Steel in India has initiated a trial with a hydrogen blast furnace, slashing CO2 emissions and paving the way for greener steel production.
