New study finds a way to massively decarbonise steelmaking (GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- India is the world’s second largest steelmaker, having produced 118.2 million tonnes in 2021.
- Making one tonne of steel releases 1.8 tonne of carbon dioxide, making the sector’s decarbonisation plans an integral part of the country’s ability to achieve its climate commitments.
Process of decarbonisation:
- One way is to use hydrogen in the chemical reaction that separates iron from iron oxide. Carbon is currently used in this place, and that is the problem. But hydrogen cannot be substituted directly because doing so makes the separation reaction very slow.
- Strong steel consists of less than 1% of carbon. To achieve this, iron oxide is heated with coke (a form of coal with high carbon content) at 1,700 degree Celsius inside a blast furnace.
- The carbon removes oxygen by forming carbon dioxide. As per a December 2021 paper, this process accounts for almost 90% of the carbon footprint of steelmaking.
- When oxygen leaves the iron oxide, scientists know that it leaves behind minuscule pores in iron.
Suggestions made in new research:
- The German team used phase-field models and electron microscopy to discover that when hydrogen is the reactant, the departing oxygen combines with it to form water that becomes trapped inside the pores. From here, it reoxidises the iron and considerably slows oxygen removal.
- As a solution, the researchers suggested creating narrow channels on the mineral through which the water could drain, allowing hydrogen to enter them and continue removing oxygen.
- To this end, the researchers have proposed creating a “microfracture structure” on the feedstock to “increase reduction kinetics and improve metallisation”.
Way Forward:
- There are several challenges to the widespread application of hydrogen direct reduction production, such as reduction kinetics and the high cost of hydrogen reactants.
- It is crucial to address these questions through scientific research and targeted goals.
Abhilash Tomy scripts maritime history
(Miscellaneous)
Why in news?
- Recently, Commander Abhilash Tomy (retd) created history as the first Indian to complete the Golden Globe Race, finishing in the second place after a gruelling 236 days alone at sea in his sail boat Bayanat.
Details:
- South African sailor Kirsten Neuschafer also scripted her name into maritime history, becoming the first woman to win the race, a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe without using any modern technological aids, recreating the 1960s on the high seas.
- The race started on September 4, 2022 from the French port of Les Sables-d’Olonne, with 16 sailors from 11 countries.
Achievements of Cdr. Tomy:
- Despite the fact that he had a spinal injury, Cdr. Tomy insisted on participating in the Golden Globe Race for a second time.
- To his credit, Cdr. Tomy is the only Indian to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the globe in 2012-13, covering 53,000 nautical miles under sail.
About Golden Globe Race:
- The historic race is being conducted by the Sir Robin Knox Johnston of the U.K. to commemorate the world’s first solo, non-stop circumnavigation undertaken by him in 1968.
