Hydrogen Combustion Systems Target Steel Decarbonization

Fives will present developments in hydrogen combustion systems for the steel industry at the 15th European Conference on Industrial Furnaces and Boilers (INFUB), taking place from April 7 to 10, 2026 in Porto, Portugal. The conference focuses on industrial furnace technologies and carbon-neutral approaches to thermal energy use.

Hydrogen Combustion in Steel Production
The steel industry is increasingly evaluating hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels in high-temperature processes such as reheating and heat treatment. A key technical challenge lies in designing burners capable of operating across a wide range of fuel compositions, from conventional gas blends to 100% hydrogen.

Hydrogen combustion introduces different flame characteristics, including higher flame speeds and distinct heat transfer behavior. These properties require adapted burner designs to ensure stable operation, efficiency, and safe integration into existing furnace systems.

Development of Hydrogen-Compatible Burners
Fives’ experts will present experimental work on AdvanTek hydrogen-compatible burner systems, designed for flexible operation under varying hydrogen concentrations.

One presentation will focus on a flexible roof burner for steel reheating furnaces, addressing integration challenges during the transition to hydrogen-enriched fuels. Another will examine a combustion system for radiant tube furnaces, targeting improved thermal efficiency under hydrogen operation.

Modelling and Process Optimization
A further presentation will introduce a surrogate modelling approach based on chemical reactor networks. This method is used to simulate hydrogen-enriched combustion processes, enabling optimisation of furnace design and operating conditions.

Such modelling supports prediction of flame behavior, heat transfer, and emissions, helping engineers adapt industrial furnaces to hydrogen while maintaining process reliability.

Relevance for Industrial Decarbonization
Hydrogen combustion technologies are a key pathway for reducing CO₂ emissions in energy-intensive sectors such as steel. Replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen in industrial furnaces can significantly lower the carbon footprint of production processes.

However, achieving this transition requires combustion systems that can handle variable fuel compositions while maintaining efficiency and operational stability.

Implications for Industrial Energy Systems
The technologies to be presented at INFUB 2026 reflect ongoing efforts to integrate hydrogen into industrial heating systems. Advanced burner design, combined with modelling and process control, supports the development of low-carbon thermal processes.

Within a digital supply chain, such innovations contribute to more flexible energy management and improved process optimisation, supporting long-term sustainability in heavy industry.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.