Enabling 100% sustainable heat.
Iron Fuel Technology™
The cleantech for energy-intensive industries.
To enable 100% sustainable process heat, we need new cost-effective technologies. The Iron Fuel Technology™ enables us to drastically reduce our CO2 emissions. It offers a new class of fuel which can provide reliable and fully renewable heat, year-round.
The Iron Fuel Technology™ has been demonstrated to be:
CO2 free
No CO2 and low NOx emissions during combustion.
Circular
Iron fuel is circular, meaning it can be used over and over again.
Safe
Not dangerous or harmful; therefore cheap to store and transport.
Competitive
Lower or comparable cost of energy compared to other clean tech.
Compact
Containing 25.4 GJ of energy per cubic meter.
Technology applications
-
- Reliable renewable and sustainable heat
- Independent of weather events and seasons
- Energy transport without new infrastructure
- Renewable energy when and where it is needed
A decarbonized world
-
- No harmful emissions
- Deep decarbonization with limited changes to infrastructure
- Durable systems
- Creating numerous jobs in various fields
A new process to store and release energy.
The working principle is easy. In its simplest description, we are rusting and unrusting iron. Rusting, or combustion, yields high-temperature energy that is converted into steam or hot water. Unrusting, or production, takes place by chemical reaction with hydrogen. In this way, sustainable hydrogen becomes storable, transportable and made suitable for zero-carbon high-temperature heat delivery.
Applicable in multiple energy transport and storage concepts..
Iron fuel production and boiler systems can be placed at separate locations. In addition, iron fuel does not have to be used directly after being produced. The technology enables energy storage and transport, so it can be used at other places and/or times. In this way, iron fuel unlocks the potential for trade of clean energy.
Energy transport
Iron fuel can be tranported either regional (<100 km), continental (100-3000 km) or intercontinental (>3000 km).
Energy storage
Iron fuel can be stored on multiple timescales: short (<10 days), medium (10-180 days) or seasonal (>180 days).
Talking about our progress.
To realize our ambition, we work according to a planned path of development. Major milestones have already been reached and more will soon follow. Take a closer look at the main steps we take to reach commercial deployment of the Iron Fuel Technology™ in 2025.
2019
Proof of Principle
- Researchers at TU/e showed that the process is technically possible.
2020
Technology selection
- Together with the MEC consortium, we executed a techno-economic study and selected the most promising technology for iron fuel production.
2021
Software models & plant design
- We created analytical and numerical models for the design of our production technology, centered around customer requirements.
2022
Proof of concept
- We will demonstrate a proven production process which proves all critical elements in it.
2023
Prototype
- A scaled-up and optimized process will be realized, tackling the most important engineering challenges.
2024
Demo
- A scaled-up and optimized systems will be demonstrated, which will serve as the blueprint for commercial iron fuel production systems.
2024
Pilot
- Realization of the first ever industrial iron fuel production plant at scale. This system will be the starting point of commercial roll-out of iron fuel production plants.
2025
Commercial roll-out
- Deployment of multiple commercial systems for iron fuel production to supply commercial boilers.
2017
Proof of Principle – Lab
- Student team SOLID demonstrates at TU/e that combustion of iron fuel is technically possible.
2020
Proof of Principle – Industry
- The Metal Power consortium demonstrated world’s first industrial iron fuel boiler at the Bavaria brewery of Swinkels Family Brewers.
2021
Software models & boiler design
- We created advanced analytical and numerical models for the design of iron-fueled boilers, centered around customer requirements.
2022
Proof of concept
- We will realize a proven iron fuel burner which demonstrates all critical elements in it.
2023
Prototype
- Realization of a cost-effective industrial iron fuel boiler, tackling the essential engineering challenges.
2024
Demo
- A scaled-up and optimized boiler will be demonstrated, which will be the blueprint for commercial iron fuel boilers.
2024
Pilot
- Realization of the first ever industrial iron fuel boiler at scale. This system will be the starting point of commercial roll-out of iron fuel boilers.
2025
Commercial roll-out
- Deployment of multiple commercial systems in the district heating, food and beverage, paper and pulp industry.