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Greening the Future: Breakthroughs in Two Low-Carbon Metallurgical Projects Contracted by Sinosteel MECC
Guided by the goal of becoming a leading enterprise in low-carbon metallurgical technology in China, Sinosteel Equipment & Engineering Co., Ltd. (Sinosteel MECC) has made significant progress in the construction of two low-carbon metallurgical demonstration projects.
Recently, the first phase of the Hydrogen Energy Development and Utilization Engineering Demonstration Project in Zhangjiagang High-Tech Industrial Zone, constructed by Sinosteel MECC for HSBS Group, has successfully achieved safe and continuous production of green Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) products. Currently, the metalization rate of DRI products has reached 94%, and all key indicators meet the standards for qualified products. These products serve as important substitutes for electric furnace scrap, especially high-quality scrap.
As the world's first demonstration project of hydrogen metallurgy based on coke oven gas, the project's core technology is the Energiron-ZR technology from Tenova, a strategic partner of Sinosteel MECC. The project is expected to reduce CO? emissions by 800,000 tons annually, with a reduction ratio exceeding 60%."
As the first phase of the project achieved complete success, the client has also sent a letter of commendation to Sinosteel International:
"Your company has demonstrated a rigorous work style and excellent performance in project construction, showcasing the comprehensive level and capabilities inherent in a centrally-administered state-owned enterprise. Zhangxuan Technology sincerely thanks Sinosteel MECC and all employees for the significant contributions made to this project."
On June 15th, the Baowu No. 8 Steel 2500m3 HyCROF commercial demonstration project, EPC contracted by Steel MECC is steadily advancing.
On November 16, 2022, China Baowu took the lead in completing the first 400m3-level low-carbon metallurgical blast furnace. Sinosteel MECC achieved the first verification of the process route for the hydrogen-rich carbon cycle oxygen blast furnace at the industrial production level, forming a complete core technology package. This achievement reached a stage goal of reducing solid fuel consumption by 30% and carbon emissions by over 21%.
At the end of March 2023, China Baowu's 2500m3 blast furnace HyCROF commercial demonstration project officially commenced. On June 6th, the No. 8 Steel 2500m3 A blast furnace was shut down, and the main transformation project of the HyCROF commercial demonstration project officially started, entering a comprehensive transformation and upgrade phase.
The transformation of a 2500m3 traditional blast furnace into HyCROF (hydrogen-rich carbon cycle oxygen blast furnace), achieving commercialization, aims to increase the blast furnace utilization coefficient by 40% compared to the previous year, reduce solid fuel consumption by 30%, and overall decrease iron and carbon emission intensity by more than 20%. This project serves as a commercial demonstration for the low-carbon transformation and development of large and medium-sized blast furnaces.
This demonstration project lays the important technical foundation for China Baowu to possess the "capability of reducing carbon by 30% in 2025," and it will lead the direction of long-process smelting blast furnace low-carbon transformation and development in the global steel industry. It provides a practical and feasible green solution for the steel industry to achieve carbon reduction, making it highly significant. As the EPC general contractor for the project, Sinosteel MECC will shoulder its responsibility and solidly complete the construction of the hydrogen-rich carbon cycle oxygen blast furnace body, top-fired gas heating furnace facilities, carbon dioxide removal device, supporting construction of oxygen production facilities, and important construction contents of HyCROF process supporting auxiliary facilities, exploring practical and feasible green solutions for reducing carbon in traditional blast furnaces.