Kobe Steel: Proposes Midrex direct reduction steelmaking method: joint develop with ArcelorMittal
September 17, 2019
Kobe Steel:
Signed a joint development agreement with ArcelorMittal for direct reduction iron making using hydrogen.
Midrex Technologies, Inc. (100% subsidiary of Kobe Steel)
ArcelorMittal (the world’s largest steel manufacturer) is researching and developing low carbon steel using hydrogen.
Midrex Technologies, Inc.’s direct reduction steelmaking process has been adopted as a hydrogen technology supplier.
We have signed a joint development agreement with the company.
Midrex Technologies: Direct reduction iron making
Midrex builds in ArcelorMittal’s Hamburg factory using its technology.
Concluded a contract to design a demonstration plant for producing reduced iron using hydrogen.
Demonstration plant:
Recovers hydrogen contained in the top gas of an existing direct reduction iron plant (with natural gas as the reducing agent).
Hydrogen is reduced and the direct reduction iron manufacturing method is demonstrated.
The company plans to produce about 100,000 tons of reduced iron annually.
It is the world’s largest direct reduction iron plant using only hydrogen as a reducing agent.
Direct reduction iron manufacturing:
Because natural gas is used to reduce iron ore (iron oxide), CO and emissions in the iron making process can be reduced compared to the blast furnace method.
Nevertheless, a certain amount of CO, is produced with water as a by-product.
This time, CO, will not be generated by using hydrogen instead of natural gas.
Only water will be generated as a by-product.
Demonstration plant: planned construction site
#L ArcelorMittal Hamburg GmbH
Established: 1970
Main equipment: direct reduction iron plant, electric furnace, continuous casting machine, wire rod mill
https://www.kobelco.co.jp/releases/files/20190917_1_01.pdf