The Extractive Industry’s Decarbonization Potential Using Electrification and Hydrogen Technologies
The challenge of achieving net-zero CO<sub>2</sub> emissions will require a significant scaling up of the production of several raw materials that are critical for decarbonizing the global economy. In contrast, metal extraction processes utilize carbon as a reducing agent, which is oxidi...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Hydrogen |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4141/6/2/19 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | The challenge of achieving net-zero CO<sub>2</sub> emissions will require a significant scaling up of the production of several raw materials that are critical for decarbonizing the global economy. In contrast, metal extraction processes utilize carbon as a reducing agent, which is oxidized to CO<sub>2</sub>, resulting in considerable emissions and having a negative impact on climate change. In order to abate their emissions, extractive industries will have to go through a profound transformation, including switching to alternative climate-neutral energy and feedstock sources. This paper presents the authors’ perspectives for consideration in relation to the H<sub>2</sub> potential for direct reduction of oxide and sulfide ores. For each case scenario, the reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions is analyzed, and a breakthrough route for H<sub>2</sub>S decomposition is presented, which is a by-product of the direct reduction of sulfide ores with H<sub>2</sub>. Electrified indirect-fired metallurgical kiln advantages are also presented, a solution that can substitute fossil fuel-based heating technologies, which is one of the main backbones of industrial processes currently applied to the extractive industries. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2673-4141 |