Investigation underway to reduce steel manufacture emissions

CO2CRC has been awarded funding to conduct important research into reducing greenhouse gas emissions in steel production. The year-long study has been made possible by a grant from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Coal Innovation NSW Fund).

The project will explore pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in steel production, including carbon capture from major emission sources and geological sequestration. Importantly, emerging technologies for emissions reduction at BlueScope Steel’s facility in Port Kembla NSW will be explored.

A major component of the study involves investigation of options to use a steel plant waste stream, converting carbon monoxide that would otherwise be flared and emitted as CO₂, into a value-added product.

The project has strong support from BlueScope Steel, which will be supplying relevant information for this study from its Port Kembla steelworks.

CO2CRC CEO David Byers commented, “An exciting aspect of this research is that it will examine how to capture greenhouse gas emissions and turn them into something useful. One option to be investigated includes using biochemical processes to convert a waste stream into ethanol, a valuable transport fuel.

“Developing a deeper understanding of these innovative technologies will help steel manufacturers select technologies that can dramatically reduce emissions in a commercially viable manner,” he said.

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