Port Kembla base for research into reducing greenhouse gas emissions in steel production
The year-long study has been made possible by a grant from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Coal Innovation NSW Fund).
The project, headed by the the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) will explore pathways for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in steel production, including carbon capture from major emission sources and geological sequestration. Importantly, emerging technologies for emissions reduction at BlueScope Steel’s facility in Port Kembla NSW will be explored. A major component of the study involves investigation of options to utilise a steel plant waste stream, converting carbon monoxide which would otherwise be flared and emitted as CO2, into a value-added product.
The project has strong support from BlueScope Steel, who will be supplying relevant information for this study from their Port Kembla steelworks.
“An exciting aspect of this research is that it will examine how to capture greenhouse gas emissions and turn them into something useful. One option to be investigated includes using bio-chemical processes to convert a waste stream into ethanol, a valuable transport fuel.
“Developing a deeper understanding of these innovative technologies will help steel manufacturers select technologies which can dramatically reduce emissions in a commercially viable manner,” said CO2CRC CEO, David Byers.
