Thanks to its cutting-edge gas technology, Nippon Gases is making significant contributions to the TWINGHY project. Funded by the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) the project aims to revolutionise the reheating process in steel production by using hybrid burners and digital twin technology.
By progressively replacing natural gas, the primary source of CO2 emissions, with hydrogen (H2) alongside oxygen (O2), the project seeks to decarbonise the reheating process while enhancing energy efficiency and maintaining low emissions. Nippon Gases' role focuses on developing and installing innovative Oxy-Natural Gas/Hydrogen burners at an operational industrial-scale reheating furnace demonstrator.
TWINGHY Project Objectives:
The TWINGHY project has ambitious objectives focused on demonstrating new ways to use, monitor and control Oxy-NG/H2 hybrid burners in reheat furnaces.
To do this, two types of burners will be developed: one based on air combustion and the other on oxy-combustion. The project will integrate these burners into an operational industrial-scale reheating furnace demonstrator, enabling the evaluation of their performance and impact on decarbonisation efforts. The project also includes developing and applying a digital twin methodology to monitor and optimise the process and create and validate a physics-based model.
Synergetic Green and Digital Transitions:
TWINGHY's successful implementation will contribute to the synergetic green and digital transitions within the steel industry, aligning with the objectives of the Carbon Neutral World initiative by NSHD. By leveraging innovative hybrid burners and digital twin technology, significant reductions in CO2 emissions can be achieved, ensuring a more sustainable and environmentally friendly steel production process.
Benefits of TWINGHY Solution:
The TWINGHY solution is designed to be adaptable to existing steel industry furnaces with long lifespans, eliminating the need for complete furnace replacement and conserving valuable resources. Additionally, the advanced digital tools will facilitate a smooth transition, minimising disruptions to production while enabling efficient and effective adoption of hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas.
Nippon Gases' involvement in the TWINGHY project underscores the company's commitment to drive the decarbonisation of the steel industry. Integrating its technologies presents a promising solution that will help the steel industry move closer to achieving its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.