According to Sarralle, the preheater runs on renewably produced hydrogen and therefore emits no carbon dioxide. 

“This milestone, along with other innovations and technologies, will allow the ArcelorMittal Sestao steel mill to take an important step towards its goal of being the first in the world with zero carbon emissions in the entire production process by 2025,” Sarralle said. 

Sarralle said the hydrogen fuel is performing as hoped — heating and drying curves have been satisfactorily reproduced and the target casting temperatures in the ladle have been reached. 

“The equipment allows (controlled) heating ramps and to heat the ladle to the casting temperature in a short time. The hydrogen consumptions measured in the different heating/drying curves confirm the performed estimates, and no negative impact on the refractory material has been observed,” the company said. 

The green hydrogen is being supplied by the Nippon Gases plant in Hernani, Spain.