North Sweden Cleantech

Fossil-free steel pilot plant reduces iron ore pellets use with hydrogen

HYBRIT is conducting trials on direct reduction of iron ore pellets, using hydrogen produced by fossil-free electricity. Currently, a pilot hydrogen storage is being built to test the best way to store hydrogen underground.

Fossil-free value chain

HYBRIT (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology) was started by SSAB, LKAB and Vattenfall to develop a fossil-free value chain for iron and steel production using fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The HYBRIT technology involves replacing the blast furnace process, which uses carbon and coke to remove the oxygen from iron ore, with a direct reduction process where we use fossil-free hydrogen produced from water using electricity from fossil-free energy sources. Instead of carbon dioxide, water vapor is formed.

Direct reduction pilot

HYBRIT has been working to develop the world’s first fossil-free steel since 2016. The development work is proceeding by means of studies, in laboratories and through the extensive testing that is taking place in the pilot direct reduction plant in Luleå. The pilot plant, the first of its kind, was completed in 2020 and the first hydrogen reduced sponge iron was produced in May 2021. In the plant, technical solutions are being optimized and verified. The experimental development of a process to reduce iron ore using fossil-free hydrogen, which is split from water in electrolysis, is proceeding. The plant has a direct reduction shaft, where the reduction takes place, and several electrolyzers to produce hydrogen using fossil-free electricity.

In the HYBRIT process, the fossil-free hydrogen is central. It is produced by electrolysis of water and is used in the direct reduction shaft to remove the oxygen from the iron ore pellets. The electrolysis is done using fossil-free electricity. The hydrogen that will be used in the process is produced next to the direct reduction plant and can be used directly or stored.

Hydrogen storage pilot

Storing hydrogen provides an opportunity to stabilize the energy system by producing hydrogen when there is plenty of electricity, for example when it is windy, and using the stored hydrogen when the electrical system is under strain. To secure the availability of fossil-free hydrogen, it is important that it can be stored under safe and efficient conditions.

To test this HYBRIT is building a pilot hydrogen storage plant in Svartöberget, in Luleå, Sweden. The pilot hydrogen storage plant is being built close to the pilot plant for direct reduction and they are connected by a pipeline. In the plant, tests will be conducted on the best way to store underground in a cavern.

The plant in Luleå is being built in 2021 and tests will take place in 2022-2024.

Related Videos


Similar Best Practices

Manufacture in Wood – Sustainable Wooden Design

Manufacture in Wood – Sustainable Wooden Design

‘Manufacture in wood’ is a gathering of forces from the wood construction industry and the wood-based interior design industry. The project will take advantage of the expertise available in production, automation and digital systems so that companies that work with wooden house construction, interior design and design can develop, with new solutions and smarter processes.

Kristineberg Center – Accelerating Sustainable Blue Growth

Kristineberg Center – Accelerating Sustainable Blue Growth

Kristineberg Center is an open partnership founded to accelerate the transition to a sustainable blue economy. The mission is to advance the implementation of research and knowledge.

Near Infrared Sorting of Plastics from Household Waste Reduces Emissions by 75 %

Near Infrared Sorting of Plastics from Household Waste Reduces Emissions by 75 %

This plant outside of Stockholm is the first of its kind in Sweden, using the Near-Infrared Technology to automatically sort out plastics from household waste. A total of 11,000 tonnes of plastic and 2,500 tonnes of metal are sorted out each year.

Waste to Energy Facility in Högbytorp

Waste to Energy Facility in Högbytorp

In a circular economy, waste is a resource that can be recycled into materials and energy. And that is exactly what is happening in the recycling facility in Högbytorp!

Energy Evolution Center

Energy Evolution Center

The Energy Evolution Center will be an arena for innovative solutions that lead to real energy conversion, increased competitiveness in companies and ensure long-term supply of skills.

Last-Mile Delivery – Inner-City Distribution

Last-Mile Delivery – Inner-City Distribution

Last-mile delivery is the final stage of an item’s journey, where it reaches the end customer. It’s also the most carbon-intensive stage. Growth in e-commerce is increasing both traffic congestion and CO2 emissions from delivery vehicles. Intensive work is underway in Gothenburg to test carbon-neutral concepts for last-mile deliveries.

Tvärpilen – a Small Residential Area, Big on Sustainability

Tvärpilen – a Small Residential Area, Big on Sustainability

The village of Kivik in south-east Sweden is where you’ll find the new residential area Tvärpilen, which combines beauty, sustainability and responsibility in perfect harmony.

Fossil-free steel demonstration plant in Vitåfors – direct reduction of iron ore pellets with hydrogen

Fossil-free steel demonstration plant in Vitåfors – direct reduction of iron ore pellets with hydrogen

HYBRIT’s demonstration plant in Vitåfors, northern Sweden, will demonstrate the value chain for fossil-free steel on an industrial scale. It includes production of hydrogen in order to manufacture sponge iron by direct reduction. The plant is due to open in 2026.

Fossil-free steel pilot plant reduces iron ore pellets use with hydrogen

Fossil-free steel pilot plant reduces iron ore pellets use with hydrogen

HYBRIT is conducting trials on direct reduction of iron ore pellets, using hydrogen produced by fossil-free electricity. Currently, a pilot hydrogen storage is being built to test the best way to store hydrogen underground.

Site East –  a Climate-Neutral Construction Site

Site East – a Climate-Neutral Construction Site

At Skellefteå Site East, close to Northvolt’s factory, one of the world’s most sustainable development projects has been conducted. Maximising the cutting-edge know-how of both Skellefteå Municipality and external partners, Site East is a source of inspiration for the industry. It has the boldness to adopt new approaches to sustainability and work with contractors towards a common vision.

Skellefteå Airport – the First Fossil-Free Airport

Skellefteå Airport – the First Fossil-Free Airport

As the global aviation sector faces increasing demands to get on a sustainable flightpath, one airport in northern Sweden has gained a head start. It aims to become Europe’s, and probably the world’s, first fossil-free airport. It is also preparing to become a test centre for electrically powered and vertical take-off aircraft.

Blue Green City Lab Evaluates Sustainable Solutions

Blue Green City Lab Evaluates Sustainable Solutions

At times of more extreme weather caused by climate change, the downside of dense cities with few green spaces and more paved surfaces is evident; extreme heat, flooding and reduced biodiversity. Blue Green City Lab is a test bed that evaluates new and proven ‘blue-green’ solutions to mitigate these effects.

My Visit Plan Favorite star