Work packages (WP)

WP1 is dedicated to chemical and physical investigations in order to close existing knowledge gaps with regard to the reduction processes in H2-enriched DR and the evolution of chemical and physical properties of the pellets during their descent in the furnace till the final product, DRI.

Key objectives:

• New sophisticated reduction kinetics model based on the experimental data for H2-enriched DR
• World-first test rig to measure adhesive forces of pellet bulks at industrial H2-enriched DR furnace conditions
• Include cohesion forces in DEM to describe movement of real particles in H2 enriched DR shaft furnace
• Implementation of the new kinetics sub-model into overall DR process models

WP2 exploits the WP1 results to demonstrate a H2-enriched DR shaft furnace:  first, a physical demonstration of solid and gas flow, second, to digital demonstration, and finally a hybrid demonstrator. This fuses all results of WP1, digital demonstration and further DR demonstration and/or industrial plant data according to a specifically developed validation strategy .

Key objectives:

• Physical demonstration of linked solid and gas flow in DR shaft furnaces
• Measurements of the decent of real raw materials and its influence on the gas flow in DR shaft furnaces
• Calibration and validation of DEM/CFD model using results of physical demonstration experiments
• Conversion of the fast and flexible FEM based process model into a validated hybrid demonstrator for DR shaft furnace scale-up and optimisation
• Recommendations and guidelines to overcome scale-up problems, achieving an efficient and stable DR shaft furnace operation for high product quality
• New process designs for gas injection and charging to optimise the DR shaft furnace process for maximum H2 enrichment

WP3 focuses on the plant-level investigations regarding the integration of DR reactors in the steelworks. The overall objectives are optimising integrated steelworks with H2-enriched DR towards sustainability and flexibility.

Key objectives:

• IT concept of implementing results of comprehensive DR furnace models in plant-wide simulations
• Digital demonstration and assessment of promising future steel process chains based on H2-enriched DR
• Assessment of plant states with optimal energy and material usage for minimum CO2 emissions and costs
• Finding promising approaches to optimize demand-response flexibility with respect to RES intermittency
• Digital tools for investment planning with potential of later exploitation for online site management
• Scenarios for effective process integration of H2-DR furnaces in different kinds of integrated steelworks
• Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost of future steel plants

WP4 disseminates the project findings and exploits all results to optimise transfer and impact.

Key objectives:

• Ensuring industrial commitment and uptake of project results
• Engaging stakeholders by consultation activities
• Definition and mapping of the research and innovation eco-system, value chain and relevant stakeholders related to the MaxH2DR outcomes
• Performing a detailed market analysis, identifying technological trends, key players, market barriers and drivers in order to support the MaxH2DR exploitation
• Set-up and continuous updates of effective and ambitious Exploitation Plan and IPR Management

WP5 is dedicated to management and ensures that the project objectives are met along with timely prepared deliverables within the proposed budget.

Key objectives:

• Coordination and supervision of all project activities
• Administrative and financial management
• Organisation of project meetings
• Quality monitoring
• Risk management

This project has received funding from the European Union under grant agreement NUMBER — 101058429 — MaxH2DR

The information and views set out in this webpage do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this webpage. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on the European Commission’s behalf may be held responsible for the use which may be made of the information contained therein.