The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently awarded Pittsburgh-based United States Steel Corp. (U. S. Steel) and partners Molten Industries, a methane pyrolysis technology developer, and CPFD Software, a multiphase simulation and technology company, a $5.4 million grant.
Funding, which was awarded through the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, will be used to test a pilot-scale system that will eliminate carbon emissions from iron reduction.
“This collaboration with U. S. Steel and CPFD Software is an exciting first step in Molten’s mission to decarbonize the world’s heavy industries,” Kevin Bush, Molten Industries CEO, said. “Our process delivers hydrogen at high temperatures required for ironmaking and steelmaking, saving energy and cost for steel manufacturers. We are confident that our joint efforts will pave the way for a future where carbon-neutral steel production is not just a possibility but a reality.”
Molten Industries will lead the collaborative effort and testing will take place at its facility. The project aims to demonstrate the integration of methane-pyrolysis-driven hydrogen production with a pilot direct reduced iron shaft furnace. Potential outcomes include carbon intensity, significant energy, and cost reductions.
U. S. Steel will contribute its Minnesota iron ore for the project and potentially showcase clean steel production in an electric arc furnace.