JFE Steel produces first hydrogen-based DRI

This prototype utilised green hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen production facility built under NEDO's Hydrogen Society Construction Technology Development Project, and a direct hydrogen reduction test facility constructed under this project. It was realised through the collaboration of green hydrogen production technology development and utilisation technology development.

Going forward, we will continue to promote the development of direct hydrogen reduction technology and aim for its social implementation. In addition, we will focus on collaboration that transcends project boundaries and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality in the steel sector by 2050.

This prototype utilised green hydrogen supplied from a hydrogen production facility built under NEDO's Hydrogen Society Construction Technology Development Project, and a direct hydrogen reduction test facility constructed under this project. It was realized through the collaboration of green hydrogen production technology development and utilisation technology development.

Going forward, we will continue to promote the development of direct hydrogen reduction technology and aim for its social implementation. In addition, we will focus on collaboration that transcends project boundaries and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality in the steel sector by 2050.

Background

The steel industry is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the industrial sector, accounting for approximately 14% of Japan's total CO2 emissions and therefore there is a strong demand for reduction. Nippon Steel Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Kobe Steel, Ltd., and the Japan Research and Development Center for Metals (JRCM) formed the Hydrogen Steelmaking Consortium) in 2022 and are working on developing technologies to dramatically reduce CO₂ emissions in this project. This project is characterised by its cross-industry structure and its focus on both technological development and social implementation, and is being developed in collaboration with numerous domestic research institutions.

In this project's development theme for direct hydrogen reduction technology, we have constructed two direct reduction test facilities (shaft furnaces) with different scales and specifications, and have been working on developing direct hydrogen reduction technology since fiscal year 2024.

Results of this study

Supply of Green Hydrogen

The Yamanashi Prefectural Enterprise Bureau has constructed and operated the 'Yonekura-yama Power Storage Technology Research Site' in Yonekura-yama, Yamanashi Prefecture, as part of NEDO's Hydrogen Society Construction Technology Development Project " Power to Gas System Technology Development Aiming to Build a CO2-Free Hydrogen Society". Here, a system has been established to produce green hydrogen using renewable energy and a 1.5 MW PEM-type water electrolysis facility manufactured by Canadavia Corporation, and to transport and sell it as high-pressure hydrogen gas. This time, green hydrogen was supplied through Yamanashi Hydrogen Company, Ltd. (YHC) and Tomoe Shokai Co., Ltd., and used for the prototype production of reduced iron.

Production of reduced iron using green hydrogen

In this project, a small pilot plant with a production capacity of 15 kg/h was constructed at JFE Steel East Japan Works (Chiba area), and hydrogen reduction tests were started in December 2024. Green hydrogen produced at Yonekura Mountain in Yamanashi Prefecture was transported and supplied by trailer, and a hydrogen reduction test using green hydrogen was conducted from 29 June - 1 July, producing approximately 1 t of reduced iron for the first time in Japan. As a result, it was confirmed that reduced iron can be produced by a stable reduction reaction of iron ore using green hydrogen.

Future plans

NEDO will continue to promote this project and aim for the early social implementation of the developed technologies. On the other hand, in order to achieve carbon neutrality in the steel industry, it is necessary to secure large quantities of inexpensive hydrogen and to develop technologies in collaboration with sectors other than steelmaking, such as the separation, capture, effective utilization, and storage (CCUS) of emitted CO2. Going forward, NEDO will further strengthen collaboration between projects and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the steel sector, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

JFE Steel is promoting the development of ultra-innovative technologies, utilising the Green Innovation Fund and other resources outlined in its 8th Medium-Term Management Plan, with the aim of establishing technologies for achieving carbon neutrality by around 2035. Moving forward, in addition to the direct reduction technology using green hydrogen discussed here, the company will continue to work on the development of ultra-innovative technologies such as carbon recycling blast furnaces in a multi-pronged approach, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Yamanashi Hydrogen Company (YHC), Tomoe Shokai, Canadian Devia, and the Yamanashi Prefectural Enterprise Bureau will promote the strengthening of the green hydrogen production and supply system by expanding the introduction of the 'Yamanashi Model P2G System,' a green hydrogen production facility jointly developed with participating companies. Furthermore, by working to build a stable supply base, they will contribute to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society by 2050.

The Hydrogen Steelmaking Consortium (GREINS) will continue its multifaceted efforts toward technological development and social implementation related to this project, and will contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 by jointly utilising and sharing resources such as human resources, equipment and machinery, and know-how of each company.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/03082026/jfe-steel-produces-first-hydrogen-based-dri/