Green H2 and circular bio-coal from biowaste for cost-competitive sustainable Steel

Introduction

The achievement of the Net-zero emissions target established by the European Commission is a huge challenge that cannot be achieved without re-thinking the conventional route (materials and energy chains).

Project Overview

The H2STEEL project proposes an innovative, disruptive solution to convert wet waste streams into green Hydrogen, Carbon, and Critical Raw Materials. The proposed innovative solution aims at supporting the green transition of one of the most hard-to-abate industrial sectors: metallurgy.

Methodology

In particular, H2STEEL combines the conversion of biowaste and bioCH4 through innovative catalyzed pyrolysis with chemical leaching to fully convert biowastes into:

• Green Hydrogen
• Green Carbon (biocoal)
• Recovery of Critical (inorganic) Raw Materials

Biomethane pyrolysis is carried out in a brand new, ad-hoc designed, proof-of-concept reactor, on a bed of biocoal made from pre-carbonized biowastes. This setup utilizes a very cheap, fully carbon-based catalyst that is highly resistant to temperature and contaminants, enhancing the efficiency of the methane cracking step to generate Green Hydrogen.

Catalyst Management

As new solid carbon from methane cracking is generated on the biocoal surface, it reduces the performance of the catalyst. To address this, new biocoal-catalyst is inserted into the reactor while the spent biocoal is removed. The continuous renewal of the catalyst is feasible due to:

1. Its low cost
2. The market value of the spent catalyst

This material, fully bio-carbon based, is then used in steel-making as a substitute for metallurgical (fossil) coke, generating a net GHG reduction and being EU ETS (Emission Trading Scheme) compliant.

Environmental Impact

The regeneration of the spent catalyst thus becomes unnecessary, as the biocoal is used in a downstream process, avoiding the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, which typically occurs in the SMR process or in most catalyst regeneration steps.