Until today, MIDREX technology typically operated using natural gas, with the option to replace 30 percent of the natural gas with hydrogen in existing plants with no change needed to the equipment. If higher ratios of hydrogen are desired, the plant requires minor modifications to facilitate the new process conditions. The major change in function is to the reformer, because with increasing amounts of hydrogen it’s working more as a heater than a reformer. Due to the still-high cost of hydrogen, it’s been proposed to start with natural gas as the energy carrier. As soon as green hydrogen is available in the required quantity and quality and at a competitive price, the MIDREX plant can be operated using the new natural gas/hydrogen mixture as required.
With the option to use hydrogen, the MIDREX process continues to be the most innovative and reliable direct reduction process worldwide.