Wastewater Sludge Utilization in Steel Production

This technical report discusses the H2STEEL initiative, which focuses on converting wastewater sludge into biocoal and green hydrogen to reduce the environmental impact of steel production. The report outlines the traditional challenges faced by the steel industry, which is responsible for a significant portion of global CO2 emissions. It details the innovative process developed by EU-funded researchers, which involves carbonising sludge to create biocoal and using it as a catalyst to produce hydrogen. The report highlights the potential benefits of this circular economy approach, including the reduction of carbon emissions in steelmaking and the creation of valuable by-products like phosphorus for fertilizers. The H2STEEL project aims to demonstrate this technology through a processing machine currently under construction in Turin. The report also addresses the urgency of finding low-carbon alternatives in the steel market, emphasizing the need for economic viability and efficient supply chain management to ensure successful implementation.