Exploring how Shell鈥檚 CANSOLV CO鈧� Capture System could help decarbonise steel
Representatives from Shell Catalysts & Technologies and leading steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal recently visited SaskPower鈥檚 carbon capture facility to see the CANSOLV CO2 technology in action and discuss how the post-combustion technology could be applied to steel plants.
By Guido Kuiper, Decarbonisation Consultancy Services Manager, Shell Catalysts & Technologies, and Anderson Morelato, Head of Decarbonisation and Technology Roadmapping, ArcelorMittal
Steel is one of the most essential materials in the world 鈥� it is hard to imagine modern infrastructure without it. But while it offers excellent formability and durability, steel production is responsible for 7 to 10% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. As a hard-to-abate sector, it鈥檚 critical to explore decarbonisation solutions that can transform steelmaking processes and help companies meet their sustainability goals.
One decarbonisation approach that holds promise, especially for direct reduced iron (DRI) plants, is post-combustion carbon capture technology. Some DRI processes capture CO2 at medium pressure, but applying post-combustion technology such as Shell鈥檚 CANSOLV CO2 Capture System would be an innovative, first-of-its-kind approach.
ArcelorMittal, one of the world鈥檚 largest steel manufacturers, has been exploring how to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations. The company approached Shell Catalysts & Technologies to help assess how CANSOLV technology could be applied within its facilities. To give ArcelorMittal the full picture, a visit was arranged to SaskPower鈥檚 Boundary Dam facility, where the system has been successfully capturing CO2 for nearly a decade.
Representatives from ArcelorMittal, Shell and SaskPower gathered at Boundary Dam (Figure 1), where they formed a multidisciplinary team from the USA, Canada and Europe. Collaborative discussions were held as the team observed CANSOLV in action and explored SaskPower鈥檚 experiences with the technology. Together, we examined how these insights could be applied to steelmaking, with a focus on the specific challenges of adapting carbon capture to this industry.
One of the most interesting technical challenges arises from the differences in flue-gas composition between different industrial processes, for example, steel plants and power plants. Steel plants, whether using blast furnaces or DRI units, produce flue gases rich in CO2 but also laden with other components and particulate matter originating from the iron production processes. This makes the design and operation of carbon capture systems in steel plants more complex, but it is a challenge that both Shell Catalysts & Technologies and ArcelorMittal are eager to tackle. With extensive experience in applying CANSOLV to various industries, Shell Catalysts & Technologies is well-positioned to adapt the system for steel, and our research teams are ready to support steel plants in undertaking flue gas characterisation studies to customise the technology accordingly.
Beyond CANSOLV, Shell Catalysts & Technologies is working with steel companies around the world to support them in better understanding their decarbonisation pathway options. In addition to carbon capture, we offer decarbonisation solutions including electrification, decarbonised (blue) hydrogen and renewable power 鈥� technologies that can be integrated across the steel value chain to accelerate the decarbonisation of the industry and create stronger ties between the energy and steel sectors.
We want to extend thanks to SaskPower for hosting the team and sharing their operational expertise, as well as for the insightful discussions. It is collaborations like these that drive innovation and bring us closer to a lower-carbon future for the steel industry.
