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Towards CO2-neutral process heat generation for continuous reheating furnaces in steel hot rolling mills – A case study

Author

Listed:
  • Schmitz, N.
  • Sankowski, L.
  • Kaiser, F.
  • Schwotzer, C.
  • Echterhof, T.
  • Pfeifer, H.

Abstract

The aim of a massive reduction of CO2-emissions results in a move away from fossil fuels. In the hot strip production of steel, almost exclusively gas-fired furnaces are currently used due to the lower energy costs. On the contrary, it is imperative to convert existing fossil heated processes to CO2-free (green) technologies in the context of the energy-transition. Obvious alternatives are electrical heating or hydrogen combustion, both strongly dependent on the specific electricity generation mix that determines the CO2-emissions. In this case study, different process heat generation options for continuous reheating furnaces in steel hot rolling mills are discussed by a quantitative approach. A state-of-the-art reheating furnace fired with natural gas is used as reference case, while electrical heating, hydrogen-air heating and hydrogen-oxygen heating are the alternatives investigated. The energy balances, the primary energy consumption and the resulting CO2-emissions are compared for the three countries of France, Poland and Germany with regard to the country-specific electricity generation mix. Additionally, the possible development until 2050 is analysed. The results show the high impact of continuous reheating furnaces in steel hot rolling mills on the total CO2-emissions of downstream steel processing. Furthermore, the massive increase in electrical energy consumption of the whole steel production process is highlighted. Each investigated alternative shows a significant potential to save CO2-emissions, depending on the country specific electricity generation mix and the future expansion of renewable energy sources. An increase in H2-production efficiency will both lead to a lower primary energy consumption and lower CO2-emissions for reheating furnaces.

Suggested Citation

  • Schmitz, N. & Sankowski, L. & Kaiser, F. & Schwotzer, C. & Echterhof, T. & Pfeifer, H., 2021. "Towards CO2-neutral process heat generation for continuous reheating furnaces in steel hot rolling mills – A case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:224:y:2021:i:c:s0360544221004047
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.120155
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hu, Yukun & Tan, CK & Niska, John & Chowdhury, Jahedul Islam & Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Varga, Liz & Roach, Paul Alun & Wang, Chunsheng, 2019. "Modelling and simulation of steel reheating processes under oxy-fuel combustion conditions – Technical and environmental perspectives," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 730-743.
    2. Oliveira, Flávio A.D. & Carvalho, João A. & Sobrinho, Pedro M. & de Castro, André, 2014. "Analysis of oxy-fuel combustion as an alternative to combustion with air in metal reheating furnaces," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 290-297.
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    Cited by:

    1. Julian Suer & Marzia Traverso & Nils Jäger, 2022. "Review of Life Cycle Assessments for Steel and Environmental Analysis of Future Steel Production Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Zhang, Shuhao & Zhang, Nan & Smith, Robin & Wang, Wanrong, 2022. "A zero carbon route to the supply of high-temperature heat through the integration of solid oxide electrolysis cells and H2–O2 combustion," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Silvia Maria Zanoli & Crescenzo Pepe & Lorenzo Orlietti, 2023. "Synergic Combination of Hardware and Software Innovations for Energy Efficiency and Process Control Improvement: A Steel Industry Application," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-20, May.

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