H2-EiPro - Investigation of the impact of H2 combustion in industrial furnaces on the product by using the example of steel slabs

Initial situation:

The natural gas demand of German iron and steel production amounts to around 20.8 TWh. This corresponds to around 4.2 million tCO2/a of energy-related CO2 emissions. Climate-neutral steel production is to be achieved by 2045. "Green" hydrogen can be used to replace fossil fuel gases.

Project targets:

The effects and necessary adjustments (e.g., heating curves, soaking time, volume flows) will be investigated under production conditions using the example of a slab furnace, with impacts (further processability with altered surface and edge layers) on the follow-up processes.

Innovative approaches:

  • Initial investigations of the effects of H2 admixtures to natural gas from 0 to 100% in open-heated furnaces in the steel industry on product quality, with special consideration of subsequent processes.
  • Operational testing exemplified on a bloom furnace with the subsequent processes of hot rolling, pickling, cold rolling, and coil coating
  • Long-term testing of the new overall system (measurement and control technology, burner technology, automation) on the selected slab furnace in the operational environment
  • Development of measures to ensure product quality under the changed framework conditions.
  • feasibility will first be demonstrated in a technical center, supported by CFD simulations.

Benefits for the industry:

  • The potentials and obstacles in the use of hydrogen in existing plants and the effects on further processing steps (subsequent processes) are systematically examined operationally with regard to ensuring product quality.
  • A transferability to similar processes is made possible through the systematic modeling and the associated parameter studies using the results from the CFD calculations.
  • Starting points for recommendations for action on the switch to hydrogen are being developed
  • An immediate conversion of a large-scale plant is intended after the end of the project

Project management agency:

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