Pillar Lead: Milad Aghabararnejad

Pillar A3

Specific Objectives

  • To reduce energy consumption in the iron and steel sector and consequently reduce GHG emissions not only within each I&S plant, but also in a regional concept.
  • To optimize the CO2 capturing unit from energy point of view by integrating it with the existing I&S plants.
  • To optimize the H2/biocarbon production unit from energy point of view by integrating it with the existing I&S plants.
  • To develop the road map to achieve net-zero targets in 2050 for the I&S sector.

Projects Overview

Integration of waste heat recovery within steel production

  • Assess the current energy consumption levels across various stages of iron and steel production.
  • Conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify the primary areas within the iron and steel sector where energy consumption is high or there is a high potential of energy recovery.
  • Develop models to maximize energy efficiency, carbon recirculation, and heat recovery for the existing steel refining and casting processes.
  • Identify most efficient design of DRI/EAF process considering criteria such as low energy demand, compatibility with renewable resources such as H2 and biomass and compatibility with BECCS.

Integration of biogenic reductants and fuels production into steel production

  • Model the H2 and bioenergy production pathways integrated with an I&S mill required resource quantities and their respective compatibility with CCS.
  • Model the effect of low carbon reductants such as H2 and biocarbon on the overall integrity of the process.

Integration of CO2 capture into various sub-processes

  • Integration of CO2 capture into BF-BOF process
  • Integration of CO2 capture into DRI/EAF process

Carbon neutral/negative I&S plants

  • Identify the most viable decarbonization strategies and roadmaps toward a net-zero I&S mill.
  • These roadmaps will illustrate the competing decarbonization pathways that are achievable for each sub-sector and regions in Canada, with a view to rapid and cost-effective decarbonization on a national scale, while avoiding stranded assets due to competition for scarce renewable resources.
  • Analyze the drivers and barriers for implementing the selected decarbonization strategies.
  • Perform regional energy arbitrage, risks analysis, and opportunities for the Canadian steel value chain to better understand competition versus other industries to access limited resources like biomass,