Nippon Steel Achieves Breakthrough in CO2 Reduction Using Hydrogen in Blast Furnace
Nippon Steel Corporation has achieved a significant breakthrough in reducing carbon dioxide emissions during steel production. The company successfully conducted a test in a blast furnace in Kimitsu, Chiba Prefecture, where they replaced coal with hydrogen, resulting in a 43% reduction in CO2 emissions.
This achievement marks a major milestone in the steel industry's efforts to combat climate change. Traditionally, blast furnaces rely on coal to remove oxygen from iron ore, a process that generates substantial CO2 emissions. However, Nippon Steel's innovative use of hydrogen offers a cleaner alternative.
The company has been actively exploring the potential of hydrogen in steelmaking since May 2022. Their latest test involved heating hydrogen and injecting it into the blast furnace, effectively replacing the role of coal in the reduction process. By optimizing the heat balance within the furnace, they were able to achieve a significant increase in the reduction rate.
Nippon Steel is committed to further developing this technology and scaling it up for use in larger blast furnaces. The company recognizes the crucial role of the steel industry in reducing its carbon footprint and is actively pursuing various strategies to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. These strategies include the widespread adoption of electric arc furnaces and the implementation of carbon capture and storage technologies.
This breakthrough by Nippon Steel demonstrates the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source in the steel industry. It paves the way for a more sustainable future for steel production and contributes significantly to the global fight against climate change.