During a recent test conducted at Hydro's extrusion plant in Navarra, Spain, carbon-free green hydrogen was successfully used as a replacement for natural gas in the recycling of aluminium.
This test, which hydrogen experts from Hydro Havrand led in partnership with Fives, marks the world's first known industrial-scale test of using hydrogen as an energy source in aluminium production.
Hydro Havrand is Hydro's flagship green hydrogen firm, whereas Fives is an industrial engineering organisation with special prowess in aluminium industry solutions and hydrogen burner technology.
The Executive Vice President for Hydro Extrusions, Paul Warton, remarked: "We are excited to be conducting this test, and it demonstrates Hydro's commitment to decarbonisation. By removing the carbon emissions from the energy source, we will be able to produce carbon-free aluminium from recycling post-consumer scrap."
Green hydrogen is a potent emission-free fuel that can replace fossil fuels used in high-temperature heating processes in industries such as aluminium, glass, steel, and cement. The Hydro and Fives collaboration is currently cataloguing and deciphering the test results to gain insights into the effects of fuel switching from natural gas to hydrogen on metal quality and the aluminium melting process. The final report is expected to be ready in the fall.
The Head of Hydro Havrand, Per Christian Eriksen, quoted: "This test is part of developing commercial fuel switch solutions and of demonstrating that hydrogen can be used in aluminium production. Green hydrogen can remove hard-to-abate emissions from fossil fuels in processes where electricity is not an alternative, both in the aluminium industry and in other heavy industries."
Green hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen without emitting greenhouse gases. This alternative to traditional hydrogen production methods and fossil fuels has the potential to play a key role in the global transition to a sustainable and net-zero emissions economy. Still, fuel switch solutions need to be enhanced for their use in high-heat procedures. Hydro Havrand is on a journey to become the leading provider of industrial fuel switch solutions in green hydrogen.
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