Direct electrification in Steel industry
Just as with electrification in residential and commercial structures, industrial electrification focuses on replacing combustion-generated heat with electricity-derived heat. However, unlike the building sectors, the industrial realm encompasses a broader spectrum of required temperatures and potential technologies. Industrial electric technologies are categorized based on their heat generation methods. Electromagnetic induction technologies, exemplified by induction furnaces employed in fabricated metal products and primary metals industries, utilize a fluctuating magnetic field to heat electrically conductive materials. Resistive heating technologies deliver heat through either a heating element or the material's inherent resistance to be heated. Other means of electric heating include electric arc, infrared radiation, electron beam, and plasma heating. Other industrial electric technologies may use electricity as an alternative to directly provide heat. Other means of material separation use electric potential gradients (e.g., electrodialysis) or electrolysis (e.g., electrolytic refining of alumina and copper).[1]
Direct electrification of primary steel is possible through electrolysis of iron ore (electro-winning). Several other metals are also produced via electrolysis, such as aluminum, nickel, and zinc. Electrolysis of iron ore has only been demonstrated at the laboratory scale. SIDERWIN is a project funded by a consortium of industries in the EU with the objective to validate the iron electrolysis technology with a fully integrated pilot.[2][1] Electrolysis is expected to become a dominant technology by 2035 if electricity prices are on the order of 43€/MWh. In the United States, the first industrial-scale use of molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) technology for the production of ferroalloys was funded recently.[1] Companies like Boston Metal has been innovating consistently in the area of direct electrification of Steel industry. Direct electrification is expected to be a more efficient way of using green electricity. Its advocates claim that it will be cheaper, could be produced at smaller-scale plants, and can use lower-quality iron ores as inputs.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Wei, Max; McMillan, Colin A; de la Rue du Can, Stephane (01 December 2019). "Electrification of Industry: Potential, Challenges and Outlook" (PDF). Current Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports. 6: 140–148.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ↑ "Iron and Steel: how can Hydrogen and Direct Electrification replace fossil-based production?". Energy Post. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ↑ Ritchie, Hannah. "How much electricity would we need for green steel? Some numbers from Chris Goodall's new book". www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
