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Decarbonization of Blast Furnace Gases Using a Packed Bed of Ca-Cu Solids in a New TRL7 Pilot

Author

Listed:
  • Jose Ramon Fernandez

    (CSIC-INCAR, Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Monica Alonso

    (CSIC-INCAR, Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Alberto Mendez

    (CSIC-INCAR, Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Miriam Diaz

    (CSIC-INCAR, Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Roberto Garcia

    (CSIC-INCAR, Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Marcos Cano

    (Arcelor Mittal R&D Centre, Marqués de Suances S/N, 33400 Avilés, Spain)

  • Irene Alzueta

    (Arcelor Mittal R&D Centre, Marqués de Suances S/N, 33400 Avilés, Spain)

  • Juan Carlos Abanades

    (CSIC-INCAR, Francisco Pintado Fe, 26, 33011 Oviedo, Spain)

Abstract

This work outlines the commissioning and initial experiments from a new pilot plant at Arcelor Mittal Gas Lab (Asturias, Spain) designed to decarbonize up to 300 Nm 3 /h of blast furnace gas (BFG). This investigation intends to demonstrate for the first time at TRL7 the calcium-assisted steel-mill off-gas hydrogen (CASOH) process to decarbonize blast furnace gases. The CASOH process is carried out in packed-bed reactors operating through three main reaction stages: (1) H 2 production via the water–gas shift (WGS) of the CO present in the BFG assisted by the simultaneous carbonation of CaO; (2) oxidation of the Cu-based catalyst with air, and (3) reduction of CuO with a fuel gas to regenerate CaO and produce a concentrated CO 2 stream. The first experimental campaign used 200 kg of commercial Ca- and Cu-based solids mixed to create a 1 m reactive bed, which is sufficient to validate operations and confirm the process’s effectiveness. A product gas with 40% of H 2 is obtained with CO 2 capture efficiency above 95%. Demonstrating at TRL7 the ability to convert BFG into H2-enriched gas with minimal CO/CO 2 enables remarkable decarbonization in steel production while utilizing existing blast furnaces, eliminating the need for less commercially developed production processes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jose Ramon Fernandez & Monica Alonso & Alberto Mendez & Miriam Diaz & Roberto Garcia & Marcos Cano & Irene Alzueta & Juan Carlos Abanades, 2025. "Decarbonization of Blast Furnace Gases Using a Packed Bed of Ca-Cu Solids in a New TRL7 Pilot," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:675-:d:1581363
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Martínez, I. & Fernández, J.R. & Abanades, J.C. & Romano, M.C., 2018. "Integration of a fluidised bed Ca–Cu chemical looping process in a steel mill," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 570-584.
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    5. Ren, Lei & Zhou, Sheng & Peng, Tianduo & Ou, Xunmin, 2021. "A review of CO2 emissions reduction technologies and low-carbon development in the iron and steel industry focusing on China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
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