Comparison of CO2 capture economics for iron and steel mills

Alternatively, CO2 can also be captured where it is produced from processes such as the blast furnace or reduction vessel. Although these streams contain a high level of CO2, they are used as a low-grade fuel throughout the plant and the produced CO2 is vented elsewhere. This study also estimates the cost of capturing the CO2 before further combustion and venting. The costs are estimated for the conventional iron and steel mill blast furnace, the top gas recycling blast furnace (TGRBF), Hismelt and Corex reduction vessel gases. Capture using MEA solvent absorption, the costs range from A$ 65 to almost A$ 80 per tonne CO2 avoided. Using Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption technology in place of MEA solvent absorption, the capture costs for these gases reduce by approximately 25-40%.