Title: Hydrogen Hydrogen (H?) in Green Metallurgy: Application to the Tebinbulak Titanomagnetite Ore of Uzbekistan
Authors: Kholikulov D.B., Mutalibkhonov S.S., Khudoymuratov Sh.J.
Volume: 9
Issue: 11
Pages: 84-92
Publication Date: 2025/11/28
Abstract:
- The steel industry is responsible for nearly 8 % of global CO? emissions, making the shift toward low-carbon technologies imperative. Hydrogen-based direct reduction (H?-DR) is one of the most promising pathways, as hydrogen replaces fossil carbon as the reducing agent and emits only water vapor. This study explores the feasibility of applying H?-DR technology to the Tebinbulak titanomagnetite ore deposit in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. The ore contains 12.6-16.2 % total Fe, ~2 % TiO?, and 0.10-0.15 % V?O?, and although naturally low-grade, beneficiation and magnetic separation can yield iron concentrates with >60 % Fe suitable for DRI/HBI production. The paper examines (1) the thermodynamic and metallurgical benefits of hydrogen in iron ore reduction, (2) the geological, mineralogical, and SEM-defined characteristics of the Tebinbulak ore, and (3) a conceptual integration of this ore into a hydrogen-based process chain linked to the Bekobod Uzmetkombinat EAF steel plant. A proposed route-beneficiation ? pelletizing ? hydrogen reduction ? EAF steelmaking-can reduce CO? emissions by up to 70-90 % compared with conventional BF-BOF routes. The findings indicate that development of a domestic "green metallurgy corridor" in Uzbekistan is both technically viable and strategically aligned with the national 2025 initiative on environmental protection and green economy. Utilizing Tebinbulak ore with renewable hydrogen could position Uzbekistan as a regional leader in sustainable steel production.