Decarbonising steel making with new technologies

Summary

Steel production is a major contributor to global emissions, with traditional methods relying on fossil fuels. However, a new sustainable technology is being researched, which uses biomass, like agricultural waste, to reduce carbon emissions. This process eliminates fossil fuel emissions and can utilize renewable energy, such as microwaves powered by clean sources. The approach is carbon-neutral, as plants absorb the same amount of CO2 during regrowth. While still in development, this technology could significantly reduce emissions in the steel industry and is one of several initiatives to help combat climate change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steel is a fundamental material found everywhere in daily life, including in cities, cars, and homes.
• 🌍 Steel production is responsible for around 8% of global emissions, primarily from the process of transforming iron ore into steel.
• ⚡ The steel-making process requires a significant amount of energy, which contributes to these emissions.
• 🔬 New technologies and research are being developed to decarbonize the steel-making process and reduce emissions.
• 🤝 Partnerships are being formed with customers to explore new technologies and processes for greener steel production.
• 🔄 A promising new process involves using biomass materials like agricultural waste (e.g., wheat straw, corn stover, sugar cane) to help convert iron ore into metallic iron.
• 🔥 The new method uses microwaves to heat biomass brickets and trigger a chemical reaction, stripping oxygen from the iron ore to convert it into metal.
• 🌱 The biomass used in this process is carbon-neutral, as it absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis when regrown, offsetting the emissions released during production.
• 🌍 The process avoids fossil fuel emissions, and renewable energy can be used to power the microwaves, further contributing to sustainability.
• 🚫 The use of food-based biomass or any material that encourages deforestation is strictly avoided to ensure that the solution does not create new environmental problems.
• 🔄 The captured gases from the process can be recycled to generate power and process heat, increasing the sustainability of the operation.
• 💡 While still in early research stages, the new technology has the potential to play a key role in reducing carbon emissions in the steel industry and helping customers meet their climate goals.

Q & A

What is the primary environmental challenge associated with steel production?

Steel production is responsible for around 8% of global emissions, primarily due to the energy-intensive process of converting iron ore into iron and then into steel.

Why is decarbonizing the steel industry important for global emissions reduction?

Decarbonizing the steel industry is crucial because it represents a significant portion of global emissions, and addressing this can make a substantial impact on reducing overall emissions.

What new technology is being researched to reduce emissions in steel production?

The research focuses on a process that uses sustainable raw biomass materials, such as agricultural waste, instead of fossil fuels, to reduce carbon emissions in steel production.

How does the new steelmaking process using biomass work?

In this process, iron ore is mixed with biomass like agricultural waste, compressed into brickets, and heated using microwaves. This removes oxygen from the iron ore, converting it to metallic iron, which is then refined to make steel.

What are some examples of biomass materials used in the new steelmaking process?

Examples of biomass materials include agricultural waste like wheat straw, corn stover, sugar cane bagasse, energy crops, seaweed, and algae.

How is the environmental impact of the biomass considered in this new steelmaking process?

Although biomass releases carbon dioxide when used, it is considered carbon-neutral because the plants used for biomass absorb an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide during their growth, balancing out the emissions.

What role do microwaves play in the new steelmaking technology?

Microwaves are used to heat the biomass brickets to the necessary temperature, triggering a chemical reaction that strips the oxygen from the iron ore, converting it into metallic iron.

What happens to the metal once it has been processed in this new steelmaking process?

Once the metallic iron is created, it is melted in an electric furnace to form a liquid slag, allowing impurities to be separated and creating iron suitable for steelmaking.

How can this new process contribute to carbon emissions reduction across the steel industry?

The new process produces no fossil fuel emissions and can utilize renewable energy for the microwaves, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of steel production.

What are some of the challenges that need to be addressed for this technology to be viable on a large scale?

Challenges include ensuring sustainable sourcing of biomass, avoiding the use of food-based crops or sources that promote deforestation, and proving the technology’s effectiveness in large-scale operations.