System-level Perspective on DRI Green Steel

Clean Energy and Water Technologies Pty Ltd (CEWT) System-Level Perspectives on Hydrogen-Based DRI A Midrex-Aligned Engineering Framing Purpose This note presents a system-level engineering perspective on hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron (DRI), aligned with publicly stated Midrex design and safety considerations. It is intended to support constructive technical dialogue without challenging hydrogen decarbonisation objectives or proprietary process designs. Shared Starting Point The global steel industry is accelerating toward lower-carbon ironmaking. Hydrogen-based DRI is a critical pathway, and recent Midrex technical publications provide a transparent account of the engineering realities associated with high-hydrogen operation. CEWT fully aligns with this framing: the challenge is not ambition, but system realism at industrial scale. What the Engineering Evidence Shows Increasing hydrogen concentration introduces non-linear system effects, including hydrogen embrittlement and permeation, increased leakage risk due to low molecular weight, accelerated refractory degradation, compression penalties, higher gas flow requirements, and expanded safety controls. These effects are central to long-life, continuous industrial operation. Reframing the Core Challenge From a system perspective, the issue is not hydrogen as a reductant, but the interaction between very low-molecular-weight gases, dense iron ore solids, continuous high-temperature operation, and long-life materials constraints. A System-Architecture Insight Historically, hydrogen-rich syngas has succeeded in DRI as an engineering solution—balancing reducing strength with thermal stability, controllable flow behaviour, and materials robustness. CEWT’s work focuses on architectures that preserve hydrogen effectiveness while maintaining molecular balance and long-term operability. Complementary, Not Contradictory CEWT views its Carbon Recycling Technology (CRT) platform as complementary to the Midrex roadmap. Both approaches respond to the same physical realities with the shared objective of delivering net-zero ironmaking solutions that are robust, scalable, and commercially durable. Clean Energy and Water Technologies Pty Ltd (CEWT) Carbon Recycling Technology (CRT) – System-level architectures for continuous, net-zero industrial energy