D-CRBN’s process uses plasma technology to convert CO2 to CO
Steelmaker ArcelorMittal is testing a new technology that uses plasma to convert carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide (CO), which can be used as a feedstock in circular steelmaking.
ArcelorMittal is working with climate tech start-up D-CRBN on plasma technology in a multi-year project with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to install it at its steelworks in Ghent, Belgium, making it the first company in the world to trial the technology.
The D-CRBN process requires high-purity CO2, which ArcelorMittal says will be supplied through MHI’s newly installed carbon capture unit.
The steelmaker aims to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 35% by 2030 and sees smart carbon steelmaking, which uses recycled carbon in blast furnaces, as a big part of that effort.
ArcelorMittal CEO Manfred Van Vlieberghe said: “Our engineering teams have worked hard together with our partners to reach this stage and we are very pleased that our new partner, D-CRBN, has created this new CCU technology here in Belgium.”
Plasma Process
D-CBRN’s plasma units use renewable electricity to break carbon-oxygen bonds, converting CO2 to CO.
The unit will be connected via pipeline to MHI’s carbon capture unit, which will feed it the CO2 it captures from Ghent’s blast furnaces and hot rolling mill reheat furnaces.
Gil Scheltjens, CEO of D-CRBN, said: “Our technology can electrify and decarbonise existing blast furnaces, significantly reducing coal use. Reverting CO2 to CO for steel production limits the need for green hydrogen in the future and reduces the cost of zero-emission products.”
North Sea Carbon Capture
Through a partnership with ArcelorMittal, MHI is testing how to incorporate its carbon capture technology into existing steel plants.
The company hopes that the technology will be used in several CO2 transport and storage projects in the North Sea region, which are a key component of the EU’s carbon capture efforts.
So far, five European countries have cooperated to promote transboundary carbon capture and storage (CCS) across the continent, including in the North Sea.
MHI and ArcelorMittal are planning a carbon capture unit to capture reformer waste gas from a direct reduced iron (DRI) plant, after establishing the process using blast furnace exhaust gas.
