The steel industry reduces carbon emissions in a scientific way
Steel companies have multi-line and attacked to reduce carbon emissions
As a typical high-energy-consuming and high-emission industry, the steel industry is taking substantial steps to reduce carbon emissions. From the transformation of traditional processes, to experimenting with low-carbon metallurgy, to the establishment of a carbon neutral fund, steel companies are already on their way to reduce carbon emissions.
Carbon reduction time is tight and the task is heavy
Iron and steel is an important basic industry of the national economy and one of the industries with the greatest pressure to reduce carbon. “my country’s steel industry accounts for about 15% of the country’s carbon emissions, which is the largest among the 31 categories of manufacturing.” In response, Li Xinchuang, party secretary of the Metallurgical Industry Planning and Research Institute, said that in the past few years, the steel industry has It has implemented the largest and highest standard ultra-low emission transformation in history, and now it will face the new test of carbon peak and carbon neutrality.
The reason why the steel industry is a big carbon emitter, in the opinion of industry experts, has nothing to do with huge output. Statistics from the World Iron and Steel Association show that global steel mills will emit 1.8 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of steel produced on average. In 2020, my country’s crude steel output will exceed 1 billion tons, accounting for more than half of the global crude steel output. The pressure to reduce emissions can be imagined. .
Compared with the production structure of developed economies, my country’s steel production is dominated by the blast furnace-to-converter long process production process, which also results in a significantly higher carbon emission intensity than steel production, which is dominated by short processes, and is subject to the high carbonization of the energy structure. Steel companies have a certain amount of carbon emissions in almost every production link.
“Simply speaking, the output of steel is huge, and consumption may not reach its peak, and the energy structure is not dominant. It is a huge challenge for the steel industry to reduce carbon.” In this regard, industry experts pointed out that although the steel market has improved in recent years, However, as the price of iron ore rises again, the profitability of steel companies is also affected. How to scientifically reduce carbon will test the wisdom of the industry.
For steel companies, achieving the “dual carbon” goal can be described as another supply-side structural reform. Carbon peaking and carbon neutrality will inevitably bring about a reshuffle of the steel industry. Steel companies that have completed ultra-low emissions and have green production capacity will have more room for development, without ultra-low emissions, backward industrial technology, Steel companies with backward production capacity will not only lack competitiveness in the future, they will also be eliminated by the market.
It is understood that the current steel industry’s carbon peak implementation plan and the formulation of a carbon neutral technology roadmap have been basically completed. The industry generally expects to achieve a carbon peak by 2025. By 2030, the steel industry’s carbon emissions will be 30% lower than the peak. %. “For the steel industry, carbon peaking is not easy, and carbon neutrality will be even more difficult.” In this regard, Li Xinchuang also said that the steel industry will rely on carbon sinks, carbon capture and other means to achieve carbon neutrality in the future.
The technological path is becoming clearer
Faced with new challenges, steel companies are intensively promoting actions. As the world’s largest steel company, China Baowu Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “China Baowu”) took the lead in its deployment. After the early release of carbon neutrality targets, it recently released a low-carbon metallurgical technology roadmap again and initiated the establishment of a global low-carbon Metallurgical Innovation Alliance.
In the opinion of experts, China’s Baowu’s carbon reduction path is becoming increasingly clear, namely the formation of extreme energy efficiency and carbon reduction in the steel process, reconstruction of blast furnace process technology to reduce carbon, hydrogen metallurgical technology to reduce carbon, short-process near-net-shape manufacturing technology to reduce carbon, and recycling. There are six technical routes for carbon reduction by economic carbon reduction and carbon dioxide resource utilization technology.
Among them, in terms of extreme energy efficiency and carbon reduction in the steel process, the theoretical limit and technical limit energy consumption model of the whole process will be studied, through the application of best adaptable business technology (BACT), and smart manufacturing, energy efficiency improvement, and deep resource utilization of waste heat and energy. Integrated innovation, approaching the limit of energy efficiency.
In the reconstruction of blast furnace process technology to reduce carbon, the blast furnace gas carbon dioxide is separated and upgraded through technological innovation, and heated back to the blast furnace to achieve the ultimate blast furnace carbon utilization rate, combined with hydrogen-rich smelting, to build a hydrogen-rich carbon cycle blast furnace technology system, and strive for Achieve a 30% reduction in carbon emission intensity per ton of iron compared with traditional blast furnaces.
The hydrogen metallurgical technology for carbon reduction focuses on green hydrogen production technology, hydrogen direct reduction of iron ore technology, and integrated application of green hydrogen-direct reduction-electric furnace short-flow smelting technology, achieving a higher carbon emission intensity per ton of steel than the blast furnace-converter process A substantial reduction in carbon.
In terms of short-process carbon reduction, the plan is to build a short-process near-net-shape manufacturing technology platform and carry out research on the technology path of electric furnace near-net-shape manufacturing to achieve extremely low carbon reduction in the steel processing process.
In addition, through the research and development of iron and steel recycling materials, iron-containing carbon-containing solid waste, multi-source biomass and other resources in the steel production process, reduce the consumption of fossil energy, realize the circular economy and reduce carbon, and reduce the cost of carbon dioxide in the steel process. Carry out large-scale capture and resource utilization, and explore deep carbon reduction technologies in the steel process.
In order to advance the technology roadmap, Baowu of China established a low-carbon metallurgical innovation center, which initially formed a structure of one center and multiple test bases, and launched ten major scientific research projects including hydrogen metallurgy technology and hydrogen-rich carbon cycle blast furnace technology. In addition, China Baowu also established Baowu Clean Energy Co., Ltd., which specializes in the development and utilization of clean energy and renewable energy, and initiated the establishment of the largest carbon neutral theme fund in the domestic market.
“With the efforts of all parties, the technology roadmap for the steel industry to achieve the’dual carbon’ goal is quite rich. I believe that with China Baowu’s leading efforts, the global steel industry will surely realize its promise by 2050.” World Steel Association Director General Ba Song Express.
How far is green hydrogen metallurgy
It is worth noting that in the main course of action, the hydrogen metallurgical test is placed high hopes. “Because the mainstream steelmaking technology and energy structure of domestic steel companies are still difficult to change in the short term, compared with traditional technological transformation routes, companies are more looking forward to breakthroughs in the introduction of clean raw materials and produce relatively’ultimate’ solutions.” An industry consulting agency The head of the research department said.
The so-called hydrogen metallurgical process uses hydrogen to replace traditional coal coke as a reducing agent to replace the iron element in iron ore, so as to achieve completely zero emissions in the smelting process. Prior to this, Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Steel Company took the lead in introducing this technology into the steelmaking process in 2019. In addition to China’s Baowu, Hebei Iron and Steel Group Xuanhua Iron and Steel Company, etc. have also launched related test projects.
According to industry experts, compared with traditional blast furnace processes, hydrogen metallurgy uses hydrogen instead of carbon used in blast furnace smelting as a reducing agent for steel, which can reduce carbon dioxide emissions during the smelting process. At the same time, hydrogen energy may come from renewable energy or natural gas. , Can further reduce the use of coal, and will significantly reduce carbon emissions.
“As the most potential secondary clean energy at present, hydrogen energy will occupy an important position in my country’s energy transition.” Li Xinchuang also said that the use of hydrogen energy is both the direction and the future, but includes the transportation and storage of hydrogen energy. In addition, there are still many problems to be solved on the technical level.
For example, how to realize large-scale production of hydrogen, especially clean hydrogen. According to industry insiders, most of the existing hydrogen production technologies rely on fossil energy. On the one hand, carbon emissions cannot be avoided. On the other hand, the scale of production capacity is limited. Although renewable energy hydrogen production technology is gradually mature, the current production capacity is still limited, and many institutions The technologies explored for hydrogen production by solar energy photolysis and hydrogen production by biomass have yet to be broken through.
Due to the high cost of producing hydrogen, the cost of hydrogen metallurgy is also high. “In general, part of the domestic hydrogen energy metallurgical technology has completed demonstration projects and put into production, and achieved certain innovative breakthroughs, but the demonstration projects are still in the industrial test stage.” The report of the Metallurgical Industry Information Standards Institute also pointed out that there is still a foundation for hydrogen metallurgy. Incomplete facilities, blank related standards, high cost, and safe use of hydrogen. At the same time, most of the hydrogen used at this stage is still “gray hydrogen”, which is far from realizing “green hydrogen metallurgy”.
Anshan Iron and Steel: High-quality development of carbon reduction path
Among the 31 manufacturing sectors in my country, the iron and steel industry has the largest carbon emissions, and the task of reducing emissions is arduous. Facing the “dual carbon” goal, Ansteel Group, known as the “eldest son of the Republic of Iron and Steel Industry”, has taken various measures to promote energy conservation, emission reduction and carbon reduction, and explored a high-quality development model under the “dual carbon” goal.
Energy saving and emission reduction show practical results
In the past few days, the factory area of Anshan Iron and Steel Group Chaoyang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Chaoyang Iron and Steel”) has been in full swing. In a corner of the factory, a closed coal storage shed project with a length of 480 meters, a width of 148 meters, and a height of 49 meters, covering an area equivalent to the size of 10 football fields, is under construction. It is understood that this is one of the largest coal storage shed closure projects currently under construction in Liaoning Province. It is expected to be completed at the end of April next year. After completion, it will greatly reduce the wind consumption and dust pollution of coal storage and improve the plant environment.
Chaoyang Iron and Steel is a three-tier subsidiary of Anshan Iron and Steel Group. In recent years, the company has focused on the “dual carbon” goal, drastically reduced energy consumption, upgraded environmental protection equipment, and launched an impact on environmental performance A-level companies. According to Tian Yong, general manager of Chaoyang Iron and Steel, currently the company has drastically reduced fugitive emissions on the one hand, and strives to achieve clean transportation in transportation and storage. On the other hand, it shortens the steelmaking process, reduces the comprehensive energy consumption per ton of steel, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
“Through the short process of steelmaking, the comprehensive energy consumption can be reduced to about 120 kilograms of standard coal per ton of steel, which is more than half the carbon dioxide emissions of the long process of steelmaking.” Tian Yong said.
At the same time, Chaoyang Iron & Steel has gradually strengthened its internal control and strictly controlled the total energy consumption from top to bottom. “Each workshop, team, and team of our steelmaking plant assigns consumption reduction goals and tasks, which are directly linked to employee performance. For example, the consumption of molten iron and scrap per ton of steel determines the assessment of 50% of the furnace length. Indicators.” Said Ning Shenglong, assistant to the director of the Chaoyang Iron and Steel Plant.
Through various reforms, Chaoyang Iron & Steel’s efficiency has been greatly improved. At present, Chaoyang Steel has 1984 employees and an annual production capacity of 2.5 million tons. From January to September this year, it achieved a profit of 1.4 billion yuan, which has exceeded the total profit of 2018.
Chaoyang Iron & Steel’s energy-saving management and control is only a microcosm of Ansteel Group’s promotion of energy-saving and emission reduction. In order to innovate and build an energy-saving and emission-reduction management regulatory system that is compatible with modern enterprises, Ansteel Group revised the “Ansteel Group Co., Ltd. Energy-saving Management Measures” to further clarify the energy-saving and emission-reduction responsibilities of each subsidiary as the main body of the legal person. Production units such as factories and mines are included in the special evaluation and assessment system for improving quality and efficiency of Anshan Iron and Steel Group’s subsidiaries. At the same time, through the application and transformation of energy-saving and emission-reduction processes in key processes, links, and energy-using equipment, the functions of the equipment are fully utilized to improve energy efficiency. From 2013 to 2020, Ansteel Group has carried out a total of 373 energy-saving projects, with an investment of more than 3.6 billion yuan.
Transition to green metallurgy
In the context of the “dual-carbon” policy, the steel industry is facing tremendous pressure for low-carbon transformation, and it has become an important development strategy for steel enterprises to accelerate the transformation and upgrading of low-energy industries. As early as 2016, Ansteel Group established a carbon accounting system. Key emission subsidiaries prepare greenhouse gas emission reports and carbon emission monitoring plans according to requirements every year, truthfully report carbon emission data and information, and cooperate with the management department to carry out third-party/four-party carbon Verification work.
At the World Steel Conference held in Shanghai on May 27 this year, Ansteel Group issued the “Ansteel Group Carbon Peak Carbon Neutrality Declaration”, promising to release a low-carbon metallurgical roadmap by the end of 2021; achieving total carbon emissions by 2025 Peak; A breakthrough in the industrialization of cutting-edge low-carbon metallurgical technology will be realized in 2030, and the large-scale promotion and application of deep carbon reduction technology will strive to reduce total carbon emissions by 30% from the peak in 2035; continue to develop low-carbon metallurgical technology and strive to become the first batch of my country’s steel industry Large-scale steel companies that achieve carbon neutrality.
In August, the two major steel companies of Anshan Iron and Steel and Benxi Iron and Steel were reorganized to further promote the transformation and upgrading of Anshan Iron and Steel Group under the “dual carbon” goal. “The preliminary plan is one year ahead of the steel industry, and the carbon peak target will be completed around 2024.” Tan Chengxu, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Ansteel Group, introduced that the current ton of steel emissions of Anshan Iron and Steel is equivalent to the national industry average, while Benxi Iron and Steel is higher. On average, after the reorganization, Anshan Iron and Steel will promote the replication and promotion of energy-saving and emission-reduction technologies to Benxi Iron and Steel, and work together to develop new technologies and transform into a green metallurgical factory.
Pressure and opportunity coexist
Data shows that coal consumption in the steel industry will account for 20% of the country’s total coal consumption in 2020, making it the largest coal consumption industry outside of the power industry. In the context of the “dual carbon” target, my country’s steel industry will face the dual constraints of “dual control of energy consumption” and “dual carbon control”, and pressures and opportunities coexist.
On the one hand, my country’s steel industry has an irrational process structure, a single energy structure, low industrial concentration and an unbalanced level of green development. The green and low-carbon transition has a long way to go. It is understood that the industry concentration of my country’s top ten steel companies in 2020 is only 39.2%, and only a few companies can master energy-saving and carbon-reducing technology such as a high proportion of pellet smelting, and some small and medium-sized steel companies lack the awareness and ability of energy-saving and carbon-reduction.
On the other hand, industry and local carbon peaks and carbon reduction action plans have not yet been fully introduced, the steel industry lacks relevant standards for energy conservation and carbon reduction, and carbon reduction work lacks top-level design guidance; high-end carbon management talents, innovative energy-saving and carbon-reduction technologies, and supporting funds The lack of support has limited the space for energy conservation and carbon reduction in the industry. According to estimates, taking a steel company with an annual output of 4 million tons as an example, to achieve the goal of reducing carbon by 30%, an investment of about 3.5 billion yuan is required. At present, my country lacks corresponding supporting financial support policies.
Industry insiders said that when China’s steel industry enters a new stage where market demand is close to saturation, production capacity is close to peak, and the pressure of “dual carbon” is increasing, mergers and integration will be the general trend and the key to solving industry problems.
Ansteel Group clearly stated that it will eliminate outdated production capacity by promoting mergers and reorganizations, optimize industrial layout and technological processes, accelerate the development and application of low-carbon metallurgical technologies and cutting-edge carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies, deploy new energy industries, and improve hydrogen, solar, and wind energy. In order to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality.
Industry insiders also pointed out that in the future, the steel industry should increase the leading and promoting role of leading enterprises in energy conservation and carbon reduction and green transformation of the industry. Leading enterprises will prepare for the global low-carbon metallurgy innovation alliance and build a green and low-carbon metallurgical open sharing cooperation platform. At the same time, it should be guided by the national macro policy, supported by technology, supported by management, supervised by assessment, and guaranteed by investment, increase financial support, scientifically guide steel enterprises to implement energy-saving and carbon-reduction technological transformation, and improve the steel industry. The energy-saving and carbon-reduction supervision system promotes the realization of the “dual carbon” goal.