The world's first demonstration project of China Metallurgical Group's pure hydrogen multi-steady-state vertical furnace has officially started operation.

On January 17, it was learned from China Metallurgical Group Co., Ltd. that its independently developed and constructed global first demonstration project of a pure hydrogen multi-steady-state vertical furnace officially started operation in the Linyi Port Area of Linyi City, Shandong Province. This marks the first engineering demonstration of China's pure hydrogen vertical furnace technology, signifying a breakthrough in the independent development of pure hydrogen vertical furnace engineering technology in the country.

According to the introduction, pure hydrogen metallurgy uses only hydrogen gas as a reducing agent, achieving zero carbon emissions in the process. This is of significant importance for China's and even the world's steel industry to achieve carbon neutrality goals. Currently, countries worldwide are actively conducting research on pure hydrogen metallurgy, especially in the European Union region where steel companies are actively planning and constructing projects. Apart from the ongoing trial operation of the HYBRIT project in Sweden, other projects are in the planning and construction stages.

China Metallurgical Group took the lead in tackling key core technologies of pure hydrogen metallurgy in the country. Zhang Shaoming, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Secretary of the Party Committee, and Chairman of China Metallurgical Group, submitted a proposal during the Fourth Session of the Thirteenth National Committee of the CPPCC, titled "Strengthening the Research and Development of Key Technologies in Hydrogen Metallurgy, Promoting the Steel Industry towards Low Carbon Goals," which was recognized as an excellent proposal. With the support of the National Development and Reform Commission's greenization project and major projects of China Metallurgical Group, the company successively developed green and clean production processes for pure hydrogen metallurgy, multi-steady-state system technology, high-quality oxide pellet preparation technology, modular key equipment technology, multi-process intelligent cooperative optimization system technology, and hydrogen metallurgy multi-physics field process simulation technology. This breakthrough overcame technical bottlenecks such as high-temperature heating of pure hydrogen, safe and efficient reduction, modular equipment, and multi-steady-state systems, forming a comprehensive system of pure hydrogen metallurgy process, control, safety, and intelligent flow. Through integrated demonstrations, it has created a complete engineering technology for pure hydrogen metallurgy, providing support for China's "carbon neutrality" goals.

The demonstration project of the pure hydrogen multi-steady-state vertical furnace has overcome dependence on foreign technology, effectively promoting the formation of a new energy industry chain of "green electricity—hydrogen production—hydrogen utilization." Currently, the capacity is 50,000 tons, using 100% domestically produced equipment, running smoothly for over 300 hours, with a metalization rate of over 93%, meeting all stable operation indicators. China Metallurgical Group has the engineering design and implementation capability for a capacity of 500,000 tons, with advantages such as multi-steady-state, modular, and high efficiency. Through integrated demonstrations, it has developed a complete self-developed comprehensive engineering technology for pure hydrogen metallurgy, with nearly a hundred related patents domestically and internationally.

The relevant person in charge of China Metallurgical Group stated that as a major innovation base for key and common technologies in the metallurgical industry, the company has currently established a pure hydrogen metallurgy engineering system. It is constructing an internationally leading high-end technology innovation research and development and achievement transformation base for green and hydrogen applications in steel metallurgy in Shandong, creating a full industry chain innovation system and leading the development of the hydrogen metallurgy industry.