Emsteel launches pilot project for electric process gas heating

The Saudi Arabian steel producer Emsteel, in collaboration with Danieli and Kanthal, has launched a pilot project to electrify process gas heating at the DRI plant in Abu Dhabi.

Emirates Steel Arkan (Emsteel) will integrate Danieli’s 1.3 MW electric process gas heater (e-PGH) into the existing Energiron DRI process. According to Danieli, this is the first installation of direct electric heating for process gas on an industrial scale.
The pilot plant is based on Prothal DH technology, a compact and modular electric heating solution developed by Danieli and Kanthal for highly efficient operation. According to Danieli, the system is designed to operate in parallel with the currently used combustion-fired heater.
Installation and commissioning are planned for 2026. The initiative is supported by Khalifa University, which will undertake the modelling of the DRI core process, the impact on the electricity grid and the variability of renewable energy sources.This step contributes to the ongoing decarbonisation of direct reduction plants and supports Danieli’s roadmap for fossil-free steel production.
Source: Danieli