Cost Minimization with Optimal CO2 Mitigation Options for the Steelmaking Industry

Abstract

The energy-intensive production process for the steelmaking industry has been the focus nowadays because it contributes directly to the global warming issue. There are several processes within the steelmaking industry that contribute to this issue by emitting CO2 emissions mainly from combustion of fossil fuel to supply the desired energy. There are different ways to control these emissions, and improving energy efficiency is one way to do that. Nowadays, there are several advanced techniques or technologies that can reduce CO2 emissions further. One of these options is using less carbon fuel, leading to less CO2 emissions. Another technique that can achieve higher reduction targets is CO2 capture. In this study, a mixed integer nonlinear programming model is developed to select the least cost CO2 reduction technologies for different reduction targets for a steelmaking plant. The options considered are improvement of energy efficiency, fuel switching, and application of capture technologies. The results s...