Importance of Energy Efficiency for Reducing CO2 Emissions for Indian Iron and Steel Plants

Abstract

For reducing CO2 emissions, the Indian steel industry is considering several options to modify the existing flowsheets based on incorporation of green electrical power, green hydrogen, and biomass. In Europe, Australia and North America, steel companies are considering replacement of their upstream conventional BF-BOF route with DRI-EAF route, or scrap-based EAF route. In addition, some companies are also planning to continue to operate their BOFs with hot metal produced from a ORI-Electric Smelter route instead of the coal-based BF route.
It is expected that Indian steel companies will also be considering these options for green steel production. However, the availability and quality of scrap and DR grade iron ore pellets, reducing gases (natural gas, hydrogen, or synthetic gas) as well as electrical power availability, will continue to be key constraints for steel production in India.