A smart solution for green steel production
A significant quantity of heat from the energy we use in the steel mill is essentially wasted and often leaked into the atmosphere. Thermoelectric generators (TEGs), also known as “thermoelectric converters,” are an excellent resource to generate electricity by repurposing otherwise wasted heat. To solve this issue, the European research project InTEGrated, in which the Pittini Group is also a participant, was launched in 2020. The research team has created an industrial prototype of TEG modules which generate electricity from the cooling water of the EAF furnace.
The innovative technology that creates zero-emission energy
In the Osoppo steel mill, we are currently testing the new TEG model that works by linking the heat of cooling water from steel mill plants (70 – 90°C) and the cold from well water; the temperature gap is enough to generate sufficient voltage to power electronic circuits.
In Ferriere Nord, two types of thermoelectric generators featuring tubular geometry (square and circular cross-section) are being tested to design and develop a model of the system to optimise the structure of TEG modules.
The transferability of TEG modular systems
The experiments implemented by the Pittini Group carry industrial and socio-economic impacts: effectively transforming the recovery of the thermal energy generated by the steelmaking process into a cost-effective option will enable industries to produce electricity autonomously, consequently decreasing their dependence on external suppliers.
The Group has set the objective of designing and implementing solutions that are fully integrated with the transition pathways leading to the decarbonization of the European steel industry, and industrial systems in general.
