Sidenor, a Spanish special steelmaker, is testing innovative electric combustion technologies to reduce its carbon footprint. This initiative is part of the European CITADEL project, funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, which aims to promote a more sustainable and carbon-free steel industry.
The tests focus on electrifying processes traditionally dependent on natural gas, such as tundish and ladle heating. Sidenor is developing two key industrial tests: tundish heating using electric resistances and ladle heating with oxy-fuel combustion. These tests aim to evaluate the feasibility of replacing natural gas with cleaner energy sources, thereby reducing carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency.
The use of oxygen, a by-product of hydrogen, is expected to enhance production efficiency and cut CO2 emissions by around 30%. This technology will also facilitate the transition to hydrogen combustion in the near future.
