Japan-based Kobe Steel demonstrated technology that can reduced CO2 emission from blast furnace-based steelmaking by 20pc. The new solution could help conventional steel producers reduce carbon emissions without large capex.
Kobe Steel announced on Tuesday that the company has demonstrated a significantly reduction in CO2 emissions by fusing Midrex technology through blast furnace (BF) mode. The company stated the test was conducted in October in a 4,844cubic m BF at Kakogawa works for a month. A large amount of hot-briquetted iron (HBI) from the Midrex process was charged into the BF. The test confirmed that 518kg/mt hot metal can be stably reduced to 415kg/mt hot metal resulting reduction of CO2 emissions reduction by 20pc compared to the conventional method.
The company also achieved the world’s lowest coke ratio of 239kg/mt hot metal using existing technology. Kobe Steel states this development is in line with Japan’s commitment to become carbon neutral society by 2050. The Group aims to develop and promote technology that reduces CO2 at the lowest cost.