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ENERGIX-Stort program energi

H2Si - Silicon Production from Quartz and Hydrogen

Alternative title: H2Si - Silisiumproduksjon fra kvarts og hydrogen

Awarded: NOK 16.0 mill.

Silicon is an important input factor in the transformation to a sustainable society as a key element in aluminium alloys, silicones, electronics and in the production of renewable energy in solar cells, wind turbines and batteries. Silicon is produced in by reacting quartz with carbon materials such as coal, charcoal, and wood chips, at process temperatures above 2000C. The chemical reactions result in CO2 emissions, and the direct emissions is around 5 kg CO2/kg Si. The H2Si project’s goal is to develop a novel concept for silicon production where all direct CO2 emissions are eliminated, and where carbon in the off gas is recycled by the use of hydrogen. The project owner Elkem’s objective is to develop and industrialize the concept, and it is a central part in Elkem’s strategy to achieve a carbon-neutral silicon production by 2050. The potential reduction in CO2 emissions from Elkem’s Norwegian smelters is 1,5 million tons/year. The H2Si concept with elimination of CO2 emissions is among the strongest candidate to become the main carbon-neutral technology for silicon production beyond 2050. The development and industrialization of this concept is a prioritized task in Elkem’s long term strategy to achieve a carbon-neutrality in silicon production. A successful industrialization of the concept will result in reduced CO2 emissions from silicon production in Elkem’s plants in Norway and give Elkem increased competitiveness in the global silicon market. The project will go 2022-2024. Elkem is the project owner and SINTEF, NORCE and Future Materials will be research partners. The laboratory-scale experiments will be performed at SINTEF, while the bench-scale experiments will be performed at Future Materials. Elkem will be deeply involved in planning, execution and evaluating the lab and bench scale experiments performed at SINTEF and Future Materials, and will be responsible for process modelling. NORCE will have a key role in mathematical modelling.

The H2Si project’s innovation is to develop a novel concept for silicon production utilizing hydrogen, where all direct CO2 emissions are eliminated. The project owner Elkem’s objective is to develop and industrialize the concept, and it is a central part in Elkem’s strategy to achieve a carbon-neutral silicon production by 2050. The potential reduction in CO2 emissions from Elkem’s Norwegian smelters is 1,5 million tons/year. The H2Si concept with elimination of CO2 emissions is among the strongest candidate to become the main carbon-neutral technology for silicon production beyond 2050. The development and industrialization of this concept is a prioritized task in Elkem’s long term strategy to achieve a carbon-neutrality in silicon production. A successful industrialization of the concept will result in reduced CO2 emissions from silicon production in Elkem’s plants in Norway and give Elkem increased competitiveness in the global silicon market. It will also position Elkem for transfer of new environmental technology from its Norwegian operations. Elkem will licence the technology to other silicon producers and this may become a game changer for the silicon industry globally, providing cost efficient production of silicon at a minimal climate and environmental footprint. The project will go 2022-2024. Elkem is the project owner and SINTEF, NORCE and Future Materials will be research partners. The laboratory-scale experiments will be performed at SINTEF, while the bench-scale experiments will be performed at Future Materials. Elkem will be deeply involved in planning, execution and evaluating the lab and bench scale experiments performed at SINTEF and Future Materials and will be responsible for process modelling. NORCE will have a key role in mathematical modelling.

Funding scheme:

ENERGIX-Stort program energi