British Steel and Sheffield University: Carbon capture trial at Scunthorpe plant

British Steel has initiated a carbon capture trial at its Scunthorpe facility, marking a step forward in its commitment to reduce carbon emissions in steel production. The trial involves pioneering technology developed by the University of Sheffield, aimed at capturing carbon emissions from the plant’s power station.

The trial is part of British Steel’s broader transition to cleaner manufacturing methods, with the company exploring electric arc furnace technology to achieve a more sustainable steel production process. This approach could reduce the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by over 75%, with additional reductions targeted through new carbon capture technologies.

The pilot system, a mobile carbon capture unit, has been set up at Scunthorpe’s Central Power Station. It is designed to capture carbon directly from the power station’s boiler flue and will allow researchers to assess the feasibility and efficiency of the process.

“This project is all about testing the capabilities of the technology,” said Dr. Andy Trowsdale, British Steel’s Head of Research and Development. “If successful, this could pave the way for scaled-up applications in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage.” The trial, approved by the Environment Agency, is conducted in collaboration with the University of Sheffield.

The carbon capture technology, called FluRefin, was created by Professor Peter Styring and Dr. George Dowson at the University of Sheffield, in partnership with AESSEAL, a seal manufacturer based in Rotherham. The system, supported by the SUSTAIN research hub, is designed to be both compact and cost-effective, without the use of environmentally harmful chemicals.

Captured carbon from British Steel’s site will be transported to the University of Sheffield, where it will be processed into synthetic fuels for transportation. Professor Styring expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “We look forward to demonstrating a unique approach to further reducing British Steel’s CO2e emissions.”

This trial is part of a larger University of Sheffield project to repurpose waste gases from industries such as steel and glass manufacturing, potentially providing an alternative carbon source for various consumer products.

Source and Photo: British Steel