| Abstract Scope |
The HYBRIT (HYdrogen BReakthrough Ironmaking Technology) Demonstration project aims to revolutionize and decarbonize the European iron and steel industry, by replacing traditional blast furnace technology with direct reduction based on fossil-free hydrogen. Currently, hot metal production in coal-fired blast furnaces, followed by steelmaking using oxygen converters, represents 95% of the global steel production from iron ore. However even a state-of-the-art blast furnace process results in generation of about 1.6 tons of CO2 per ton of crude steel (global average approximately 2.2 tons of CO2 per ton crude steel). The HYBRIT Demonstration project plans to realise the breakthrough of fossil-free steel production by developing a new value chain based on fossil-free hydrogen, resulting in an annual production of 1.2 Mt crude steel in Sweden. This entails a significant degree of innovation at both technological and logistical levels: with regards to plant design, operating approach, construction, quality, reliability, availability, and maintenance. |