As “green” hydrogen becomes available and cost effective, the MIDREX NG can be converted to MIDREX H₂ in stages, allowing steelmakers to reduce CO₂ emissions immediately and further reduce them in the future without major capital expenditure.

Step 1

Build a MIDREX NG plant and take immediate advantage of the reductions in CO₂ emissions. The product of this plant (CDRI, HDRI or HBI) can be used in existing meltshops, including BF, BOF and EAF.

Step 2

Replace up to 30% of the NG used in MIDREX NG with hydrogen as it becomes available without equipment modifications. Up to 100% of hydrogen can be used with minor equipment additions to protect the reformer. The MIDREX process can accommodate fluctuating rates of hydrogen addition and/or reduce production to take advantage of periods of high electricity throughput from renewable energy sources.

Step 3

Complete transition to MIDREX H₂ when hydrogen becomes available and cost effective without NG. Some plant modifications will be necessary, such as converting the Reformer to a gas heater by replacing the catalysts with inerts.

Experts agree that the availability of green hydrogen at scale will take time to develop, and that it will require a shift in the energy sector.  However, there are immediate opportunities to lower CO₂ emissions immediately by utilizing metallics produced by MIDREX NG Plants.  For example, HBI charged to the blast furnace reduces the coke required, lowering CO₂ emissions and increasing blast furnace productivity.

MIDREX Process – the most widely-used technology for the production of all forms of DRI. Together, in a MIDREX NG Plant, they set the standard for reliability, productivity, and availability. Each year, MIDREX Plants produce more than 60% of the entire world’s DRI and more than 80% of the DRI produced by all shaft furnace technologies.

Natural gas is playing a major role in helping many industries cut emissions and improve the world’s overall air quality. To use natural gas for ironmaking, it must be processed – reformed – into a usable reducing gas that is high in hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) content.

The patented MIDREX Reformer makes reducing gas for the iron ore reduction reactions that take place in the MIDREX Shaft Furnace. The Reformer further optimizes overall plant performance by combining recycled gas from the iron reduction reactions in the Shaft Furnace, with fresh natural gas, to produce additional reducing gas.