US-based companies CPFD Software, methane pyrolysis technology developer Molten Industries and steelmaker United States Steel Corporation (US Steel) will collaborate to build a system aimed at eliminating carbon emissions. The collaboration has secured $5.4 million in funds from the US Department of Energy.
The project aims to integrate methane-pyrolysis-driven hydrogen production with a pilot direct reduced iron shaft furnace. Molten’s technology uses renewable electricity to break down methane into hydrogen gas and solid graphite, offering a 75 percent reduction in energy intensity compared to water electrolysis. The collaboration leverages US Steel’s iron ore resources, with the potential to eliminate up to 60 million mt of carbon from the 84 million mt of greenhouse gas emissions from US crude steel production.