A hydrogen-based process developed by plant manufacturer Primetals in Linz should make an important contribution to change in the industry. Most recently there was the State Prize for Innovation, an extra incentive to help shape the future.
Dramatically reduce energy consumption and also significantly reduce emissions – green steel should be able to do all of this and the steel industry will invest billions in its development.
And Primetals wants to play an important role in this change: In Linz, the factory manufacturer developed a technology called HYFOR, whereby for the first time fine-grained iron ores can be used in the direct reduction process without complex pre-processing – and that based on 100% hydrogen, which coal would to replace.
Primetals has been tinkering with the process since 2016, which is supported by the Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the environmental promotion agency Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC) and the metallurgical competence center K1-MET. In addition, the Chair of Iron and Steel Metallurgy at Montan-Uni Leoben is very active.
33 attempts have already been made
The city in Styria plays a major role in the development of HYFOR anyway: since April 2021, the pilot plant has also been running here, on which 33 tests have already been carried out. “We do it ourselves – it’s all about digging in the dirt,” said Bernhard Hiebl, who is part of the project team.
The first industrial prototype should be commissioned in 2024 and the first large-scale factory is planned for 2027.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
