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New idea for climate-neutral steelmaking - Aerosol method of producing green steel

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TODE20230816017
Term of Validity
16 August 2023 - 15 August 2025
Company's Country
  • Germany
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
A German university seeks industrial partners for refining and licensing a method using novel raw material input for the production of green steel. In addition to hydrogen, a carbon-containing aerosol is used to produce the green steel. The invention is based on an idea whose fundamental technical feasibility has yet to be confirmed.
Full Description
Currently, green steel is manufactured by means of direct iron ore reduction with green hydrogen. Making steel from the pig iron requires a certain proportion of carbon in the iron, which is generally achieved by adding a gas, such as methane or ethane, that contains carbon.

A new method, offered by a German university, uses a carbon-containing aerosol instead of a gas. It supplies the liquid and solid elements of the aerosol by means of renewable energy. The Fischer–Tropsch process is used to synthesize a carbonic liquid from the freed CO2. The liquid can contain large quantities of the necessary hydrogen. The solid used could be biochar. The present Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is 1.

In steel and iron production, green hydrogen and electrified processes could eliminate classic coal furnaces, allowing climate-neutral steel production. The characteristics of the new method will be:
• Green steel can be completely green without relying on fossil fuels.
• The system can be run in a closed cycle in which the exhaust CO2 can be directly reused as raw material.
• Green steel can be completely green without fossil fuels.

Insustrial partners are sought to test the technical feasibility and refine the technology and license it.
Advantages and Innovations
• Completely green steel will be made possible
• Contribution to circular economy
• Climate-neutral processes will be enabled
Stage of Development
  • Concept stage
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
IPR status
  • IPR applied but not yet granted
IPR notes
The invention is based on an idea whose fundamental technical feasibility has not yet been confirmed. A patent application has been submitted to the German Patent and Trade Mark Office. Within the priority year, applications can be submitted abroad

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The opportunity to license and refine the technology in collaboration with the inventors and the university is offered
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME 50 - 249
  • SME 11-49
  • Big company
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
  • Commercial agreement with technical assistance

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 02007008 - Iron and Steel, Steelworks
  • 04001006 - Transport and storage of hydrogen
Market keywords
  • 006005007 - Other alternative energy (including nuclear energy)
Sector Groups Involved
  • Renewable Energy
  • Energy-Intensive Industries
Targeted countries
  • All countries