University of Illinois to study carbon capture at Gary steel mill
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U.S. Steel’s Gary Works will be examined by the University of Illinois as part of its study on carbon capture. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the study, which is being funded through a $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, is part of decarbonization efforts to combat climate change.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Prairie Research Institute will take on the research project, which The Times reports is aimed at removing carbon dioxide from the ambient air around the integrated steel mill. Gary Works makes steel that is used for cars and washing machines, among other products.
“We’re excited to bring together a strong team of academic and industry collaborators to accelerate effective, economical carbon capture and use,” said Dr. Kevin O’Brien, principal investigator and leader of PRI’s Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.
According to The Times, the university will study a new “direct air capture and utilization system,” developed by CarbonCapture Inc. The system is projected to be able to remove 5,000 metric tons per year of CO2 from the air and converting it into concrete products.
The Times reports the system will use the steel mill’s waste heat and energy to minimize energy and transportation costs and make it more cost-efficient.
“U.S. Steel is committed to progressing our efforts described in our Climate Strategy Report to decarbonize and accelerate towards a lower carbon future, but we know that one company’s actions are not enough,” said Rich Fruehauf, senior vice president and chief strategy and sustainability officer at U.S. Steel. “Achieving our goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 is going to take unprecedented innovation and collaboration.”
The publication reports the captured CO2 emissions are expected to be taken to Ozinga ready mix concrete plants in Gary and the Chicagoland areas. Visage Energy Corp. will evaluate the findings of the study.