S. Korea to back eco-friendly hydrogen steelmaking

SEOUL, June 9 (Yonhap) -- The government plans to support studies to determine the feasibility of so-called hydrogen steelmaking, which can prevent carbon dioxide from being made during the steel production process, officials said Thursday.
The plan calls for 150 billion won in state funds (US$139 million) to be injected into research and development (R&D) to see if the country should develop the experimental production process for wide-scale commercial use by 2020, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said.
Hydrogen steelmaking refers to the process of using the volatile gas instead of coal as the main fuel source to make steel from iron ore.
At present, super-heated air made from burning coal is used to melt iron ore. This process, however, results in the release of carbon dioxide, which is cited for causing global warming.
If hydrogen, which can be created by a nuclear reactor, is used, the only by-product of the steel production will be water.
South Korea's largest steelmaker, POSCO, has been exploring this technology since 2009, while governments in the United States and Japan have been engaged in related R&D for the past four or five years.
If hydrogen can help produce commercially viable steel without contributing to global warming, it could help South Korea reduce it carbon dioxide emissions by a significant margin. Steel products account for more than 10 percent of the greenhouse gases released by the country.
The ministry also said that efforts will be made to support other key R&D endeavors for the next 10 years, which can enhance competitive of local steel products.
yonngong@yna.co.kr