In a momentous development, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. proudly announced the successful completion of a hydrogen (H2) injection trial at its Middletown Works blast furnace. This extraordinary utilization of hydrogen gas as an iron reducing agent marks the first-ever application of this environmentally friendly technology in the Americas region. The triumph of hydrogen gas usage represents a significant stride toward the future decarbonization of blast furnaces, which play a vital role in producing high-quality steel, particularly for the automotive industry.During the trial conducted on May 8, 2023, hydrogen gas was injected into all 20 tuyeres at the Middletown #3 blast furnace, facilitating the production of clean pig iron, the cornerstone of top-tier steelmaking. Hydrogen served as a partial substitute for the coke traditionally used in iron reduction, replacing the release of CO2 with the release of H2O (water vapor), without compromising product quality or operational efficiency. The hydrogen was delivered to the Middletown facility through the existing pipeline and transportation infrastructure, which already caters to other hydrogen applications in the facility's annealing furnaces.Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Cliffs, expressed pride in the company's pioneering achievement, stating, "We are proud to be the first Company in the Americas to inject hydrogen into a blast furnace, a demonstration of our commitment to develop and implement breakthrough technological advancements toward decarbonization." Cleveland-Cliffs, known for its innovative spirit, executed this significant milestone in close proximity to its Cliffs Research and Innovation Center in Middletown, Ohio. This accomplishment solidifies the company's ability to utilize green hydrogen across its operations once it becomes readily and economically available, including in its seven blast furnaces and state-of-the-art direct reduction facility. With its expertise in natural gas injection, Cleveland-Cliffs sets the standard for a bright, sustainable, and environmentally friendly future for the much-needed BF-BOF steelmaking technology.
In a momentous development, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. proudly announced the successful completion of a hydrogen (H2) injection trial at its Middletown Works blast furnace. This extraordinary utilization of hydrogen gas as an iron reducing agent marks the first-ever application of this environmentally friendly technology in the Americas region. The triumph of hydrogen gas usage represents a significant stride toward the future decarbonization of blast furnaces, which play a vital role in producing high-quality steel, particularly for the automotive industry.During the trial conducted on May 8, 2023, hydrogen gas was injected into all 20 tuyeres at the Middletown #3 blast furnace, facilitating the production of clean pig iron, the cornerstone of top-tier steelmaking. Hydrogen served as a partial substitute for the coke traditionally used in iron reduction, replacing the release of CO2 with the release of H2O (water vapor), without compromising product quality or operational efficiency. The hydrogen was delivered to the Middletown facility through the existing pipeline and transportation infrastructure, which already caters to other hydrogen applications in the facility's annealing furnaces.Lourenco Goncalves, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Cliffs, expressed pride in the company's pioneering achievement, stating, "We are proud to be the first Company in the Americas to inject hydrogen into a blast furnace, a demonstration of our commitment to develop and implement breakthrough technological advancements toward decarbonization." Cleveland-Cliffs, known for its innovative spirit, executed this significant milestone in close proximity to its Cliffs Research and Innovation Center in Middletown, Ohio. This accomplishment solidifies the company's ability to utilize green hydrogen across its operations once it becomes readily and economically available, including in its seven blast furnaces and state-of-the-art direct reduction facility. With its expertise in natural gas injection, Cleveland-Cliffs sets the standard for a bright, sustainable, and environmentally friendly future for the much-needed BF-BOF steelmaking technology.
