Tata Steel has commissioned a Coke Oven Gas (COG) injection project at Blast Furnace 1 of its Meramandali plant in Odisha, marking the company’s latest initiative to reduce fossil fuel consumption in ironmaking.
The project uses COG, a hydrogen- and hydrocarbon-rich byproduct generated during the coke-making process, as a reductant in the blast furnace. Tata Steel said the technology enables the reuse of process gas that is otherwise used for power generation, heating or flaring.
The COG is injected into the blast furnace through tuyeres, replacing a portion of fossil fuel used in the ironmaking process. Tata Steel implemented the project with technology partner Paul Wurth-SMS and equipment supplier Kobelco.
According to the company, the initiative is expected to reduce fossil fuel consumption and associated CO₂ emissions while providing greater flexibility in blast furnace operations. The system also enables the furnace to operate with a three-fuel configuration.
“This initiative of maximising the utilisation of process gases to reduce dependence on external fossil fuels reinforces Tata Steel’s leadership in sustainable manufacturing,” said Subodh Pandey, Vice President – Technology, R&D, NMB and Graphene, Tata Steel.
Sudhir Kumar Mehta, Vice President – Operations, Tata Steel Meramandali, said the project enables the productive use of coke oven gas within the blast furnace process while improving operational efficiency.
Tata Steel has previously tested other low-carbon injection technologies in blast furnaces, including coal bed methane, hydrogen and biochar injection.
The company has set a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 and is evaluating and deploying technologies aimed at reducing emissions from its steelmaking operations.
