Metso inaugurates hydrogen-powered plant

The ribbon cutting ceremony. Franziska Richter (left) from the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Piia Karhu, President, Minerals and Ahmad Attaul, VP, Ferrous & Heat Transfer Equipment. Photo: Metso

The plant, built on Metso’s proprietary Circored technology, uses hydrogen as the sole reducing agent in a continuous pre-reduction process.

It incorporates pre-heating, reduction, gas cleaning and recirculation systems for hydrogen and dust, while electric heaters enable operation with near-zero carbon emissions.

“This pilot plant is a significant step in demonstrating the readiness of the Circored technology,” said Parizat Pandey, Director, Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) at Metso.

“It allows us to validate process parameters and support our customers in their transition to low-carbon steelmaking”.

At the facility, a wide range of iron ore types can be tested, generating process data to support the design of future commercial-scale plants and helping to define operating windows for different ore qualities.

The Circored direct reduction process can also be combined with Metso’s DRI Smelting Furnace or other smelting technologies. Both solutions form part of the company’s Metso Plus portfolio for low-carbon steel production.