In Italy, gas infrastructure major Societal Nazionale Metanodotti (Snam), the multinational inspection, certification, and engineering consultancy RINA, and steel major GIVA Group, have jointly conducted what they say is the world’s first test of a 30 percent hydrogen blend in natural gas used in the forging processes in industrial steelmaking. The test was held in Rho, Milan at the GIVA Group's Forgiatura A. Vienna forging plant.
The trial, which was developed and promoted by Snam, involved the use of the hydrogen/gas mix to heat the furnaces of the Forgiatura A. Vienna plant and was successfully carried out on site after a series of studies and laboratory tests conducted by RINA lasting about a year.
This test is concrete proof that Italy’s hydrogen production chain can significantly contribute to a decarbonizing complex and energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking. At RINA, we are proud to play an active role in the ongoing energy transition, more specifically in such events where we can share our energy and industrial know-how, said Ugo Salerno, Chairman, and CEO of RINA.
The blend of methane and hydrogen was supplied by Sapio, an Italian company specializing in the production and marketing of industrial and medical gases.
The use of the hydrogen and natural gas blend did not require any plant modifications and had no impact either on the equipment used (industrial burners) or on the characteristics of the final heat-treated product.
Significant environmental and competitive value
The project’s potential in terms of environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness is significant. It is estimated that the permanent use of a 30 percent green hydrogen blend, fuelled by renewables, on the total gas consumed by the three GIVA Group’s steel forging plants for its industrial processes would lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the order of 15 000 tonnes per year.
It would consequently result in CO2 emissions savings amounting to approximately EUR 800 000 annually calculated on the current purchase of certificates while ensuring the value and integrity of the steel forging manufacturing process and its long-term environmental sustainability.
Hydrogen can be a great ally to our Group. On one side, increasingly stringent measures on CO2 emissions coupled with our willingness to reduce the environmental impact from our production processes, move us towards finding a solution. On the other, the use of hydrogen could create a driving market for valves and actuators produced by Group’s subsidiaries. This project only marks the beginning of a path we will be involved in for years to come, said Jacopo Longhi Vienna, from GIVA Group.
Steel is also the material through which pipelines are made; these pipes will play a fundamental role in transporting hydrogen whereby supplying final customers. The use of hydrogen in hard-to-abate industrial applications such as steelmaking will play a key role in achieving domestic and EU climate neutrality targets by 2050.
Looking ahead, the partners see green hydrogen is the ideal solution for CO2-free steelmaking and processing. Snam is committed to having its infrastructure hydrogen-ready for transporting increasing amounts of hydrogen and to promoting its use in high-potential industrial sectors, including the iron and steel industry.
In the medium to long term, hydrogen is in a position to become the solution for decarbonizing steelmaking as well as all hard-to-abate industrial sectors that have a fundamental role in our economy. This trial is a preparatory step to the gradual introduction of zero-emission hydrogen, initially blended with natural gas and then in pure form, in certain steelmaking production processes. Snam intends to make its infrastructure, research, and expertise available to contribute to the creation of a national hydrogen supply chain and to the achievement of domestic and European climate targets said Marco Alverà CEO of Snam.
