First successful steelmaking test with 30% gas–hydrogen blend

The world’s first test of a 30% natural gas/hydrogen blend in the forging processes used in industrial steelmaking was held in Rho (province of Milan), at the Forgiatura A. Vienna plant.

The trial involved the use of the hydrogen/gas mix to heat the furnaces of the Forgiatura A. Vienna plant and was successfully carried out onsite after a series of studies and laboratory tests lasting about a year. The companies involved in the initiative were: energy infrastructure company Snam; RINA, a multinational inspection, certification and engineering consultancy; and GIVA Group, the steelmaking company that made Forgiatura Vienna available for the field test. The blend of methane and hydrogen was supplied by Sapio, an Italian company specialising in the production and marketing of industrial and medical gases.

“In the medium- to long-term, hydrogen is in a position to become the solution for decarbonising steelmaking as well as all hard-to-abate industrial sectors that have a fundamental role in our economy,” said Marco Alverà CEO of Snam. “This trial is a preparatory step to the gradual introduction of zero-emission hydrogen, initially blended with natural gas and then in pure form, in certain steelmaking production processes. Snam intends to make its infrastructure, research and expertise available to contribute to the creation of a national hydrogen supply chain and to the achievement of domestic and European climate targets.”

“This test is the concrete proof that Italy’s hydrogen production chain can significantly contribute to decarbonising complex and energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking,” added Ugo Salerno, Chairman and CEO of RINA. “At RINA we are proud to play an active role in the ongoing energy transition, more specifically in such events where we can share our energy and industrial know-how.”

The use of the hydrogen and natural gas blend did not require any plant modifications and had no impact either on the equipment used (industrial burners) or on the characteristics of the final heat-treated product.

The project’s potential in terms of environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness is significant. It is estimated that the permanent use of a 30% green hydrogen blend, fuelled by renewables, on the total gas consumed by the three GIVA Group’s steel forging plants for its industrial processes would lead to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions in the order of 15,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to 7500 cars. It would consequently result into CO₂ emissions savings amounting to approximately €800,000 per year (calculated on the current purchase of certificates) while ensuring the value and integrity of the steel forging manufacturing process and its long-term environmental sustainability.

“Hydrogen can be a great ally to our Group,” said Jacopo Longhi Vienna from the Giva Group. “On one side, increasingly stringent measures on CO₂ emissions, coupled with our willingness to reduce the environmental impact from our production processes, move us towards finding a solution. On the other, the use of hydrogen could create a driving market for valves and actuators produced by Group’s subsidiaries. This project only marks the beginning of a path we will be involved in for years to come.”

Steel is also the material through which pipelines are made; these pipes will play a fundamental role in transporting hydrogen and supplying final customers.

The use of hydrogen in hard-to-abate industrial applications such as steelmaking will play a key role in achieving domestic and EU climate neutrality targets by 2050. Looking ahead, green hydrogen is the ideal solution for CO₂-free steelmaking and processing.

Snam says it is committed to having its infrastructure hydrogen-ready for transporting increasing amounts of hydrogen and to promoting its use in high-potential industrial sectors, including the iron and steel industry.

Image: Snam