Course syllabus - Decarbonization Strategies in Metallurgical Processes

Objectives

To equip industry professionals with a solid understanding of emerging CO₂-free metallurgical technologies and practices—such as hydrogen-based reduction, electrification, renewable energy integration, and circular material use. The course focuses on practical strategies to reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and support the transition to sustainable, climate-neutral metal production across industrial applications.

Learning outcomes

1. Analyse and map CO₂-emission hotspots and efficiency bottlenecks across primary and secondary metallurgical routes, using industry-standard data and benchmarking tools.
2. Critically evaluate and compare conventional processes with emerging low-carbon technologies—such as hydrogen direct reduction, electric-arc furnaces, and molten-oxide electrolysis—and justify technology choices for specific production scenarios.
3. Design a conceptual integration scheme that couples renewable-energy and hydrogen supply chains with a working metallurgical plant, addressing process stability, energy-storage requirements, retrofitting constraints, and industrial-safety considerations.
4. Develop and interpret a techno-economic model that quantifies life-cycle emissions, capital and operating costs, and return on investment for alternative decarbonization pathways, culminating in a clear investment recommendation.

Course content

1. Overview of Industrial Metallurgical Processes and Emission Sources
   Mapping CO₂-intensive operations across primary and secondary metal production; identification of key emission hotspots and efficiency bottlenecks in conventional routes.
2. Technologies for CO₂-Free and Low-Carbon Metallurgy
   In-depth study of hydrogen-based direct reduction (e.g., H-DRI), electric arc furnaces (EAF), molten oxide electrolysis (MOE), and other emerging electrified and plasma-based processes.
3. Integration of Hydrogen and Renewable Energy into Metallurgical Systems
   Strategies for coupling intermittent renewable energy with continuous metallurgical operations; evaluation of process stability, hydrogen availability, and energy storage needs.
4. Infrastructure, Supply Chain, and Plant Retrofitting
   Assessment of practical requirements for CO₂-free technology deployment, including hydrogen supply infrastructure, process integration challenges, retrofitting existing assets, and industrial safety.

Specific requirements

At least 75 higher education credits in one or more of the following areas: energy technology, mechanical engineering, production technology, product and process development, computer technology and computer science or equivalent areas.

Alternatively, at least 40 higher education credits in a technology-related field combined with at least two years of full-time professional experience from a relevant industrial sector.

In addition Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3 and English course 6 or English level 2 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish course 3 or Swedish level 3.

Examination

INL1, Assignment, 3 credits, grade: Pass (G) or Fail (U). Learning outcome: 1, 2, 3 and 4.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Two-grade scale