7 Development of Low Carbon Technology in China’s Iron …
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these technologies have been tried out in a demo project in Shougang Group (Jingtang) and extended to Tianjin Pipe and Xining Special Steel Co., Ltd. with satisfying
outcomes. The R&D team is actively disseminating the method of using CO 2 as
a resource in various upstream and downstream processes in iron and steelmaking
industry such as sintering and palletizing, BF injection and LF/RH refining, etc.
Besides, research is being conducted on combined coal gas CO/CO 2 production and
utilization technologies for circular use of carbon element throughout the iron and
steel smelting process. If achieved, it will cut CO 2 emission by 100–200 kg per ton
of steel, or 5–10% of total emissions throughout the process.
Apart from the technology itself, the future development of CCS is also subject
to the following factors:
(1) High cost. The expensive CO 2 capture is the main determinant of the total cost
of CCS, and further cost reduction will depend on the maturing of technology.
Opportunities in the interaction between international R&D peers should be fully
utilized, with a blend of in-house R&D and overseas resources for continuous
development of CCS technology;
(2) Lack of policy and regulatory framework. So far, few policies and regulations
concerning CCS technology are in place, calling for more government efforts
in this regard;
(3) Risk of leakage. Possible CO 2 leakage is the key safety concern, as CO 2 becomes
immediately hazardous and even lethal at a mass fraction over 8. Although the
probability of CO 2 leakage is rather low, precautions should be taken in all
processes;
(4) Lack of public awareness. CCS technology is now little known to the majority
of Chinese people, so a public awareness campaign is essential to introduce and
promote successful cases, both local and overseas, to relieve the public concerns
for leakage caused by CCS technology and build up trust and public support,
which is an important preparation for more ambitious CCS development in the
future;
(5) Inadequate evaluation criteria. Many components of CCS technology require
evaluation. For example, the location for geological storage of CO 2 must be
determined by overall assessment according to existing evaluation criteria.
Poorly structured or conflicting evaluation criteria are likely to trigger a series
of problems.
7.4.3 Carbon Reduction Cost
Of capture, transport, use and storage in CCUS, capture is the most expensive
and energy-consuming part. The capture of high-concentration carbon source costs
much lower than medium and low concentration sources. A typical medium to low
concentration carbon source, carbon capture in iron and steel industry is quite costly.
Construction cost: currently, it costs around 27 million USD (approx. 190 million
RMB) to install CO 2 capture and storage facilities of an annual capacity of 100,000 t
263
these technologies have been tried out in a demo project in Shougang Group (Jingtang) and extended to Tianjin Pipe and Xining Special Steel Co., Ltd. with satisfying
outcomes. The R&D team is actively disseminating the method of using CO 2 as
a resource in various upstream and downstream processes in iron and steelmaking
industry such as sintering and palletizing, BF injection and LF/RH refining, etc.
Besides, research is being conducted on combined coal gas CO/CO 2 production and
utilization technologies for circular use of carbon element throughout the iron and
steel smelting process. If achieved, it will cut CO 2 emission by 100–200 kg per ton
of steel, or 5–10% of total emissions throughout the process.
Apart from the technology itself, the future development of CCS is also subject
to the following factors:
(1) High cost. The expensive CO 2 capture is the main determinant of the total cost
of CCS, and further cost reduction will depend on the maturing of technology.
Opportunities in the interaction between international R&D peers should be fully
utilized, with a blend of in-house R&D and overseas resources for continuous
development of CCS technology;
(2) Lack of policy and regulatory framework. So far, few policies and regulations
concerning CCS technology are in place, calling for more government efforts
in this regard;
(3) Risk of leakage. Possible CO 2 leakage is the key safety concern, as CO 2 becomes
immediately hazardous and even lethal at a mass fraction over 8. Although the
probability of CO 2 leakage is rather low, precautions should be taken in all
processes;
(4) Lack of public awareness. CCS technology is now little known to the majority
of Chinese people, so a public awareness campaign is essential to introduce and
promote successful cases, both local and overseas, to relieve the public concerns
for leakage caused by CCS technology and build up trust and public support,
which is an important preparation for more ambitious CCS development in the
future;
(5) Inadequate evaluation criteria. Many components of CCS technology require
evaluation. For example, the location for geological storage of CO 2 must be
determined by overall assessment according to existing evaluation criteria.
Poorly structured or conflicting evaluation criteria are likely to trigger a series
of problems.
7.4.3 Carbon Reduction Cost
Of capture, transport, use and storage in CCUS, capture is the most expensive
and energy-consuming part. The capture of high-concentration carbon source costs
much lower than medium and low concentration sources. A typical medium to low
concentration carbon source, carbon capture in iron and steel industry is quite costly.
Construction cost: currently, it costs around 27 million USD (approx. 190 million
RMB) to install CO 2 capture and storage facilities of an annual capacity of 100,000 t