Top gas recycling blast furnace developments for ‘green’ and sustainable ironmaking

Abstract

The ultralow CO 2 steelmaking blast furnace process (ULCOS-BF) aims at minimising the CO 2 emissions of the BF by at least 50%. This process is based on the replacement of hot blast by oxygen, the recycling of hot decarbonated top gas into the lower shaft and normal hearth tuyeres, and the capture of CO 2 and its storage in a geological trap (full CO 2 capture and storage process). The paper highlights the main technologies of this process and the expected benefits for CO 2 mitigation. The ULCOS-BF has been demonstrated during three campaigns of 7 weeks each by coupling the LKAB experimental BF in Luleå to a pilot vacuum pressure swing absorption unit for CO 2 removal. The concept, preparation and results of the campaigns are described. 1 Technological improvements in BF process and development of reducing agent rate in Europe 1 ß 2013 Tata Steel Nederland Technology BV Published by Maney on behalf of the Institute

Sustainable Aspects of CO2 Ultimate Reduction in the Steelmaking Process (COURSE50 Project), Part 1: Hydrogen Reduction in the Blast Furnace

“…It is owned by LKAB [7,8], a Swedish mining company, and was constructed in 1997. LKAB's EBF has successfully completed 25 campaigns including some trials to demonstrate the ''ULCOS Top Gas Recycling Blast Furnace Process'' [9], supported by Swerea MEFOS up until the winter of 2010. As the EBF has a relatively large diameter, consideration of the penetration behavior of gas injected into the shaft is possible, and COURSE50 decided to carry out a test campaign.…”

Perspective on Progressive Development of Oxygen Blast Furnace for Energy Saving

“…A similar type of oxygen blast furnace was proposed in the ULCOS (Ultra Low CO 2 Steelmaking) project in Europe. In the proposed concept of the ULCOS-TGR (Top Gas Recycling) BF, 6) the CO 2 in the blast furnace top gas is captured and stored in a geological trap (CCS: Carbon Capture and Storage), and the remainder of the top gas is reinjected into the blast furnace as an additional reducing gas. The effect of CO 2 mitigation in the ULCOS-TGR BF was verified using the experimental blast furnace in LKAB.…”

Evolution of Blast Furnace Process toward Reductant Flexibility and Carbon Dioxide Mitigation in Steel Works

“…The NBF (New Blast Furnace) in the ULCOS (Ultra Low CO 2 Steelmaking) project is a representative process utilizing top gas recycling. [34][35][36] Following the development of that process, similar processes have also been actively studied. [37][38][39][40][41][42] Top gas recycling is considered to represent a further evolution of the previous reducing gas injection process.…”

“…[34][35][36] In this process, most of the top gas is recycled after CO 2 removal by VPSA and reheating. Three different versions can be considered, as shown in Fig.…”