In a consortium with the Fraunhofer Institutes IKTS, ISI and UMSICHT, we have been working for years on how low-CO2 production of crude steel using green hydrogen can be realized. In the two consecutive BMBF research projects "MACOR" ("MAchbarkeit CO2-Reduzierte Stahlherstellung") and "BeWiSe" ("Begleitforschung Wasserstoff in der StahlErzeugung"), it has already been demonstrated that this approach can reduce CO2 emissions by at least 95%. Supplemented by further measures, CO2-free steel production is therefore possible. The technical framework conditions for a changeover and questions of acceptance were also investigated.
The BMBF project "BeWiSer" was launched to further optimize the planned SALCOS® process route. The project examines the entire process chain in terms of resource and energy efficiency. Our structural transformation of steel production, which has already begun, is thus being scientifically supported. For example, the project is investigating how biogenic materials can be used as a substitute for fossil coal and natural gas in order to adjust the required carbon content in steel. The efficient use of water is also a focal point of the project. We have set up the µDRAL demonstration plant for the application-oriented investigation of direct reduction. Among other things, numerical models of the direct reduction process can be validated and further developed here.
