� INTERVIEW �
Dr . Itsaso Auzmendi-Murua , Hydrogen Business Line Manager at Sarralle
fuel will mark an even greater reduction in CO 2 emissions , making the goal of zero CO 2 emissions highly achievable .
Oxy-combustion technology allows for a more efficient use of green hydrogen compared to that of air combustion . Given the technological and social challenges associated with the green hydrogen production increase that is expected in the coming years , the most efficient technology for hydrogen consumption should be applied . In fact , we have partnered with NipponGases for the design and manufacturing of oxy-combustion hydrogen burners which will enable full replacement of natural gas in industrial heating systems .
Taking emission reduction one step further
A major advantage of oxycombustion over air-combustion is the potential for the reduction of NOx emissions ( nitrogen oxides , NO and NO 2
). Thermal NOx refers to the NOx formed through high-temperature oxidation of the nitrogen found in the combustion air . Since oxy-combustion uses pure oxygen as the oxidizing agent , there is almost no nitrogen present in the combustion process , therefore , NOx are not formed . When oxy-combustion technologies are applied , the only NOx formation comes from infiltration of air in and around the equipment , along with some
N 2 that can be present in both the natural gas and oxygen . The ladle preheater project included the measuring of the exhaust gases , in order to confirm the reduction of CO 2 and NOx emissions .
A lot has been done but more potential waits to be unlocked
Great advancements have been made in the last couple of years . Combustion burner technology is already available for operating different heating equipment with hydrogen . Sarralle is working closely with long-term customers on studying the implications of operating their equipment with hydrogen and most importantly , the effects of the new combustion atmospheres formed by the combustion of hydrogen in the final product .
With this aim , we are leading a project , H-ACERO , partially funded by the Basque Government , where we are studying the effects mentioned in collaboration with the main steelmakers from the
Basque region : ArcelorMittal , Celsa Nervacero , Sidenor , Tubacex and Tubos Reunidos . We are immensely pleased with the support provided by the technology institutes Ceit and Tecnalia for the technical developments of the project . The Basque steel cluster association , SIDEREX , participates in coordinating the project .
We are taking important steps ; however , we believe that the main challenge is building the necessary infrastructure for the supply of large volumes of hydrogen that are required in order to transition to a 100 % hydrogen operation .
A positive attitude is valid but strong collaboration remains key
Steelmakers are initiating industrial testing of their
Improving the efficiency of the reheating furnaces via oxy-combustion and taking a step further to operate them with 100 % hydrogen will allow the almost complete decarbonization of EAF-based plants .
12 Green Steel World | Issue 9 | November 2023