Electrochemical Top Gas Looping as an Alternative Reductant for Drop-In, Zero-Emissions Ironmaking

This concept paper describes an electrochemical loop leveraging the continuous electrolysis of top gas into reductant-rich feed gas for carbon-neutral direct reduced ironmaking. In it, carbon monoxide derived from electrochemically reduced CO2 serves as a drop-in reductant. This increases reuse of energy-rich top gas and addresses challenges with hydrogen-DRI including the endothermic energy penalty and lack of carburization. This process discussion and techno-economic analysis describe integration and economics compared to hydrogen- and natural-gas-fed DRI, including a production cost ~10% lower than green hydrogen and a 1.5X revenue opportunity versus NG-DRI through government incentives, byproduct valorization and modest green premiums.

Authors:

Evan Haas | Helix Carbon
 

Session Chairs:

Brian Jamieson | Charm Industrial
 

Poliana Araujo | WSP Canada
 

Robert Bell | National Renewable Energy Laboratory