Tata Steel is decarbonising its blast furnace
Tata Steel has finalised an agreement with SMS for the implementation of the new EASyMelt technology. The Indian steelmaker intends to proceed in stages with the first industrial demonstration of this technology in Blast Furnace E in Jamshedpur, thereby reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 50 per cent compared with the blast furnace’s baseline operation.
According to the company, the EASyMelt (Electrically-Assisted Syngas Smelter) technology, developed by SMS subsidiary Paul Wurth, offers the most resource-flexible solution for decarbonising iron production and has the potential to achieve climate neutrality. Once completed, Tata Steel’s Blast Furnace E in Jamshedpur will be the first in the world to have been converted to EASyMelt.
T. V. Narendran, CEO of Tata Steel, explains: “The transition to decarbonised steel production will be shaped by our ability to rethink and transform existing production ecosystems. With a targeted mix of technology, innovation and strong partnerships, Tata Steel is driving this transformation forward. Our collaboration with SMS group marks an important milestone and accelerates our progress towards achieving net zero.”
“The implementation of the first industrial-scale EASyMelt technology is groundbreaking and paves the way for new brownfield decarbonisation projects,” says SMS CEO Jochen Burg. Tata Steel and SMS group signed a memorandum of understanding on 14 June 2023 to collaborate on the decarbonisation of iron production. Following a successful FEL study, Tata Steel has decided to proceed with the project in phases.
Blast furnace operation with minimal coke consumption
This initiative marks a key step forward for Tata Steel in achieving net-zero emissions by 2045, a target that ranks among the most ambitious pursued by major steel companies worldwide. Tata Steel and SMS intend to work together on the implementation and further development of the EASyMelt technology. The technology enables blast furnaces to operate with minimal coke consumption. EASyMelt is characterised by the integration of synthesis gas into the reduction process, thereby significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. Synthesis gas acts as a reducing agent, replacing the role of coke in the blast furnace. Blast furnace gas recycling is used to produce synthesis gas through the reforming of hydrocarbon-containing gases such as coke oven gas. The resulting synthesis gas is then injected at the shaft and tuyere levels. Plasma burners electrify the process directly by superheating the synthesis gas injected into the blast mould.
This process is flexible in terms of energy sources and can be operated using natural gas, coke oven gas, hydrogen, ammonia and even electricity. It can therefore be adapted to local availability and requirements. Furthermore, EASyMelt can continue to process conventional sinter feedstock, thereby avoiding dependence on the expensive and scarce iron ore required by direct reduction plants.
Many markets are facing challenges relating to scrap availability, iron ore quality and access to green energy sources. According to SMS, EASyMelt offers a pragmatic and innovative way to achieve decarbonisation targets and bridges the gap between iron ore availability and the demand for green steel.
Source: SMS Group