[ TECHNOLOGY ]
AutoThermal Reforming ( ATR ) plants , like this Linde facility in Texas , are used for the production of Blue Hydrogen .
Blue DRI for Greener Steel
The transition to greener steel production is currently largely found in the space between promises and reality . Continuous improvements and measures for energy efficiency are being implemented , but decisive changes in the ironmaking processes naturally take longer time , and the role of carbon capture could probably be more pronounced than what has been generally suggested , supporting use of “ Blue DRI ” to substantially decrease the carbon footprint .
By Joachim von Schéele and Pravin C . Mathur
Integrated steel mills , which produce steel from iron ore , account for 70 % of global steel production but emit almost 90 % of CO 2 emissions due to their high CO 2 intensity of 2.3 tonne of CO 2 per tonne of steel produced ( Scope 1-3 ). In contrast , so-called mini-mills using the Electric Arc Furnace ( EAF ) process with recycled steel scrap as primary feedstock , account for the balance 30 % of global steel production but only 10 % of emissions since they emit 0.6 tonne of CO 2 per tonne of steel produced . The world ’ s two largest steel producing countries China and India have a carbon footprint at 2.3 and 2.6 , respectively , whilst for example steel production in the EU shows lower figures . Looking at the four largest steel producing countries there , we can note clear differences due to production processes , where Germany and France with around 70 % of their outputs from integrated steel mills are at about 1.9 on average , and Italy and Spain with 15-30 %
26 Green Steel World | Issue 10 | February 2024