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Jasmin Kemper
Citation: IEAGHG, "Iron & Steel Workshop Tokyo", 2014-07, August 2014.
This report summarises the presentations and outcomes from the “Iron and Steel Industry CCUS and Process Integration Workshop”. The workshop took place from 5th to 7th November 2013 at Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan. IETS (Industrial Energy-related Technologies and Systems), World Steel Association (WSA) and IEAGHG jointly organised this meeting, which was hosted by Prof Tatsuro Ariyama. Key objectives of the workshop were to review the progress in CO2 reduction technologies in iron- and steelmaking since the last workshop in 2011 and to provide a discussion forum with focus on the Asian iron and steel industries. The 50 attendees were able to participate in a full three-day programme and the IETS members had the opportunity to visit JFE East Japan Works at Keihin subsequently. The first two days of the workshop ran under IEAGHG and focussed on CO2 reduction strategies in the iron and steel industries, whereas the third day was under the theme of IETS and concentrated on process development and efficiency improvements. The following report provides summaries of some, but not all, of the presentations given at the workshop.
The workshop addressed the challenges the iron and steel industry is facing when implementing CO2 reduction technologies. Apart from the technical component, the key issues surrounding CO2 reduction are funding, political backing and public support. The BF is the main producer of CO2 emissions in an integrated steel plant, so remains the focal point for most reduction strategies, such as the OBF with TGR, which offers substantial carbon savings. Further emissions reductions are achievable through process integration and efficiency improvements. However, these savings are thermodynamically limited and the Japanese and European steel makers have already implemented plenty of technologies that improve energy efficiency. Although Japan has the world’s most efficient steel industry, they assure their commitment to further emissions reductions. Presentations on CO2 storage showed safe and leak-free underground storage seems possible even if seismic events occur. Safe, publicly accepted storage or utilisation options for CO2 are a prerequisite for industry to move ahead with any CO2 capture technology. Alternative iron- and steelmaking routes, including smelting, direct reduction and scrap-using EAF, can also contribute to lower CO2 emissions significantly. Some of these processes are already commercially available but many still require scale-up and demonstration. When it comes to identifying the potential for further energy savings and CO2 reductions, process integration with modelling and simulation tools can be of great help. First experimental studies have shown the use of biomass-derived charcoal could provide a promising, low-cost path to CO2 reductions if sustainable biomass and large-scale pyrolysis are available. Moreover, a global approach towards CCS is necessary to establish a level playing field among the iron and steel industries in different countries.
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