Initial pilot trials conducted on 13 different steel grades revealed no structural changes or loss of material integrity, marking a significant step forward in the decarbonization of one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries.
Launched in April 2023 with support from the EU, HYDREAMS is the first large-scale program in the steel sector to investigate the use of hydrogen in both heating and annealing furnaces, utilizing both pulsating and flame burners.
Laurent Sieye, Sustainability Director at Ugitech, a subsidiary of Swiss Steel Group, stated: “Replacing natural gas with hydrogen in heat treatment is still in its early stages. It carries potential risks, including increased NOx emissions and possible negative impacts on steel quality and the lifespan of refractory materials in furnaces.”
The company plans to validate the findings using three industrial testing units by 2026. DEMO 3, which became operational in March 2025, is preparing for pilot trials this summer. DEMO 1 and DEMO 2, targeting other product types such as ingots and plates, are expected to be commissioned in 2026. These pilot applications build on earlier lab-scale tests and CFD simulations aimed at evaluating flame behavior, heat transfer, and exhaust gas composition under hydrogen combustion.
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