OPTIMIZED USE OF HYDROGEN WITH LOW CO2 EMISSIONS FOR DIRECT REDUCTION IRON PRODUCTION WITH CARBON CONTROL

Abstract

The integration of a pyrolysis or plasma dissociation system for methane (and hydrocarbons) contained in natural gas or biomethane, using electricity preferably from renewable sources or a low-carbon grid, for the production of hydrogen with specific characteristics for the production of direct iron ore (DRI), and solid carbon as a byproduct, with a direct reduction plant system, with zero or low CO2 emissions. The proposed method allows for the controlled reduction of iron ore and the carburization of DRI, due to the regulated residual methane content in the hydrogen stream obtained by pyrolysis or plasma dissociation of methane.Furthermore, operational optimization of the pyrolysis or plasma dissociation of methane system and greater energy efficiency of the integrated system are achieved through the use of purge gases between the hydrogen and DRI production system units, and the partial use of solid carbon, as a by-product of pyrolysis or plasma dissociation of methane, in an electric arc furnace or electric melting furnace for the production of liquid steel or liquid pig iron.