The EU-funded HyInHeat project is exploring the potential of using hydrogen as a fuel source in the aluminum and steel industries. The project is being carried out by a team of 30 partners from 12 different countries and is coordinated by RWTH Aachen University’s Department for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering (IOB). With a budget of €24 million, of which €17.7 million is being provided by the EU, the project aims to integrate hydrogen into the high-temperature heating processes of energy-intensive industries.
The main challenge of incorporating hydrogen into these processes is the lack of infrastructure and equipment that is compatible with hydrogen combustion. HyInHeat is addressing this by redesigning and modifying existing furnaces, burners, measurement and control technology, and infrastructure in eight different technical centers and industrial enterprises. The goal is to implement efficient hydrogen combustion systems that will decarbonize the heating and melting processes of the aluminum and steel sectors.
The project is exploring a range of heating methods including hydrogen-air heating, oxygen-enriched combustion, and hydrogen-oxyfuel heating. The goal is to increase energy efficiency and reduce the demand for hydrogen fuel. The redesign of the heating process may be necessary and will be supported by simulation methods to aid in digitalizing the value chain.
Maintaining product quality and yield is critical when converting crucial production processes, so the project is prioritizing the sustainability of refractory lining. In addition, the project is also exploring ways to minimize the NOx emissions produced by hydrogen combustion. Material flow analysis and life cycle analysis will help to determine the full potential of hydrogen heating processes in energy-intensive industries.
  Read the most up to date Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industry news at FuelCellsWorks
The HyInHeat project will run until 2026 and is being coordinated by RWTH Aachen University’s Department for Industrial Furnaces and Heat Engineering (IOB), with the participation of GHI and ITV.
