Imagine cleaning iron ore by using a super-heated hydrogen 'lightning bolt' instead of burning coal. This process strips away impurities without releasing carbon dioxide into the air. It's like switching from a smoky campfire to a high-tech electric oven to get pure metal.
Steel production is a major source of CO2 emissions, making it difficult for companies to meet European Green Deal targets. Current reduction methods rely on carbon-heavy processes that are environmentally unsustainable.
A hundred-kilogram-scale pilot-HPSR reactor and a retrofitted 5-ton DC electric arc furnace. They also developed dynamic mathematical models and novel sensors for process optimization.
If you are an integrated steel mill dealing with high carbon taxes and emission limits — this project developed a hydrogen plasma smelting reduction process that aims for a 90% reduction in carbon intensity by 2050.
If you are a processor dealing with steelmaking sidestreams and waste — this project developed a way to reduce these materials using plasma, turning waste back into usable iron for a circular economy.
If you are a hydrogen producer dealing with the need for large-scale industrial buyers — this project developed a 5-ton scale DC electric arc furnace retrofit that consumes hydrogen to produce steel.
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not provided, but the project has initiated Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis (LCA & TEA) to determine competitiveness and cost.
The technology is being demonstrated in a hundred-kilogram-scale pilot reactor and a 5-ton scale pilot DC electric arc furnace.
Based on available project data, there is no specific mention of licensing terms, though the project involves 15 partners across 6 countries including 6 industry players.
Pilot-HPSR plant trials are scheduled until the end of 2025, and the 5-ton DC EAF demonstration campaign is expected to be completed in 2026.
The project demonstrates integration by retrofitting an existing 5-ton DC electric arc furnace and integrating a pilot reactor directly into a steel plant.
The consortium is heavily weighted toward industrial application, with 40% of the 15 partners being industry players (6 companies), including 2 SMEs. This balance between 5 universities and 4 research institutes ensures that the transition from laboratory trials to the 5-ton pilot scale is backed by both theoretical modeling and practical engineering expertise across 6 European countries.
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