Aluminum and steel industry power solutions
The manufacture of iron, steel, aluminum, and other intermediate metal goods requires greater amounts of energy, which increase the metals industry costs and impact on the environment.
Helping to meet industry challenges
To meet these challenges, the high volume of coke, blast furnace, and converter gases created in metals production and processing can be captured and used to efficiently fuel power generation for the industry. Using these gases to power turbines in power plants instead of discarding them as waste can help the industry save money and reduce harmful industrial CO2 emissions.
GE’s portfolio includes heavy-duty and aeroderivative gas turbine packages that can run on these alternative gases, as well as power conversion and productivity solutions created to help the metals industry operate more efficiently and cleanly.
The ability to handle a range of process gases
GE’s portfolio includes technologies that can capture, clean, and process gases produced during metals processing to power its turbines.
- Coke oven gas is a byproduct of coal carbonization, or heating coal at a high temperature in the absence of air. This is used by the steel industry to convert iron ore. Coke oven gas is a combustible hydrogen and hydrocarbon gas mix that can be cleaned and used as a fuel source to generate energy.
- Blast furnace gas (BFG) is a byproduct gas released when iron is converted with coke in a blast furnace. This BFG fuel—a combination of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and a small amount of hydrogen—has a low combustion value on its own, but it can be combined with coke oven gas or natural gas to sustain combustion.
- Converter gas is a byproduct gas produced in the steel production process when iron ore is refined to liquid steel by refining it with oxygen or air, reducing its carbon levels, and providing adequate process heat or by extracting oxygen from the iron and then processing it with an additional heat supply, often electrical melting. It is primarily made up of carbon monoxide, as well as carbon dioxide and nitrogen plus small amounts of hydrogen and methane.
GE’s portfolio of gas turbines for the metals industry
GE offers a range of aeroderivative and heavy-duty gas turbines able to operate with alternative fuels based on common byproducts of the metals industry, such as coke oven gas, blast furnace gas, and converter gas. GE’s fuel treatment, turbines, and conditioning and fuel-delivery system allow for power generation in this industry that is cost-effective, efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
9HA gas turbine
The 9HA high efficiency, air-cooled gas turbine is an industry leader among H-class offerings, and now the 9HA gas turbine is at the heart of the world's most efficient combined-cycle power plant.
With two available models—the 9HA.01 at 448 MW and the 9HA.02 at 571 MW—customers can easily select the right capacity to help meet their generation needs. The 9HA gas turbine delivers a validated, all-around solution for demanding customer economics. It offers the most cost-effective conversion of fuel to electricity as well as industry-leading operational flexibility for increased dispatch and ancillary revenue.
9F gas turbine
With over 450 units deployed to more than 40 countries, GE has the largest operating and most experienced OEM F-class fleet in the world.
Our 9F gas turbine can deliver consistent performance and accommodates a diverse range of fuels, making it ideal for a variety of combined cycle and CHP applications. The simple and robust air-cooled architecture is constructed for longer parts durability and extended service inspection intervals, making the 9F a great choice for life-cycle value.
9E gas turbine
From desert climates, to the tropics, to the arctic cold, the rugged 9E.03 heavy-duty gas turbine provides essential power and performs in a vast number of duty cycles and applications.
9E turbines can use more than 52 types of fuel—almost the entire fuel spectrum—and can even switch fuels while running under full load. With order to operation demonstrated in as few as six months, and fast-start and load capabilities, the 9E has quick installation and operational flexibility. The 9E.04 has multiple features that help reduce fuel costs and increase revenue, such as a 145 MW output and 37% simple-cycle efficiency.
7F gas turbine
The demands of today’s power generation industry are many, including low cost of electricity, dispatch volatility, along with high efficiency, reliability, and asset availability.
With more than 1,100 installed units producing ~175GW of power in 12 countries, GE’s 7F gas turbine is a proven performer in all these areas. Among its features, the 7F.05 offers an 11-minute startup to an 80% load, as well as turndown to 24% of turbine baseload within emissions compliance. It can accommodate a wide range of fuels. Building on a 25-year legacy of F-class operation, the 7F.04 supports a broad range of applications and offers the widest fuel flexibility in its class.
6F gas turbine
GE’s 6F gas turbines offer the superior performance and flexibility typically associate with larger power plants.
The 6F packs a lot of power into a small package, offering durability and flexibility for harsh or remote power environments. Whether it be for 50 or 60 Hz, the 6F maintains leading efficiency and exhaust energy for combined cycle and CHP performance. The 6F offers segment-leading 32,000-hour combustion and hot gas path inspection intervals.
6B gas turbine
The rugged, reliable 6B heavy-duty gas turbine is a popular choice for refineries, natural gas liquefaction power, CHP applications, and industrial power.
Its ability to operate in island mode makes the 6B an excellent solution for remote installations and extreme operating conditions far from the grid. And with more than 1,200 units installed since 1978, it has a record of dependability. The turbine can ramp to 20 MW in less than five seconds and accommodate non-standard fuels in cogeneration and industrial power generation operations. It features a 44 MW simple cycle output and greater than 51% combined cycle efficiency. Its standardized architecture and pre-assembled packaging allow for a delivery cycle of 10 months from contract signature to commercial operation.
LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine
The LM6000 allows you to operate on a wide variety of fuels—including natural gas, LPG (propane and butane), isopentane, ethanol, diesel, and Coke Oven gas.
This allows you to quickly switch between fuels to save money, all without stopping or a reduction in power. It has a 45-58 MW net power output and up to 41.3% net efficiency. Its start time for a simple cycle is less than 5 minutes, and its ramp rate is 50 MW/minute. The LM6000 offers 99%+ start and operational reliability, alongside 98% availability. Its fast start allows operators to differentiate their dispatch capability, and its dual-fuel capabilities provide fuel flexibility and help customers meet emissions limits.
Customer stories
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GE helps JFE steel increase output and efficiency
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Generating cleaner electricity at Handan iron and steel
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Increasing aluminum output while lowering emissions in the UAE
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GE helps JFE steel increase output and efficiency
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Generating cleaner electricity at Handan iron and steel
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Increasing aluminum output while lowering emissions in the UAE
GE helps JFE steel increase output and efficiency
In 2020, GE received a third order for its GT26 HE gas turbine upgrade from Japanese power producer JFE Steel Corporation (JFE), for its Chiba Power Plant in Japan. Continuing its more than 15-year commitment to keep JFE’s gas turbine fleet competitive in Japan’s energy segment, GE will upgrade JFE’s existing GT26 MXL2 unit to GE’s latest and most advanced solution introduced on a GT26 gas turbine: the HE upgrade. This solution will provide JFE Steel with GE's most advanced performance improvements for an F-class combined cycle gas turbine.
10MW
increase in plant output
1%+
efficiency increase
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“We are proud to be building on the strength of our long-standing relationship with JFE to provide the most advanced technologies to power communities in Japan.”
Ramesh Singaram
President and CEO, GE Gas Power Asia
As a power producer, JFE continually focuses on modernizing its aging energy infrastructure—by enhancing power output and efficiency. Implementing GE’s latest GT26 HE technology at the Chiba power plant will help it continue efficient production and reach new levels of performance and profitability—including an increase in output and efficiency at varying loads.
Generating cleaner electricity at Handan iron and steel
The 170-megawatt power plant at Handan Iron & Steel Group Ltd's mill in Handan City, China, selected GE technology to help use emissions from iron and steel production to generate cleaner electricity. Instead of burning waste gas in a boiler, off-gas from Handan's blast furnace and coke oven now power a GE 9E gas turbine to generate power.
50+
9E units installed in China
"
"We're being challenged to advance our thinking and find new paths to growth. But this idea goes even further—we're not simply doing the same things better, we're doing something completely new. And that will have a huge impact on our efficiency, energy costs and carbon footprint."
Mr. Li Fujun
General director, power and equipment of Handan Steel Mills
Benefits to the Handan mill include higher efficiency and more output with fewer emissions when compared to traditional boiler technology for steel mills with blast furnace gas, coke oven gas, or Finex gas as byproducts of the steel mill process. The GE 9E gas turbine has also reduced costs for Handan by enabling them to buy less electricity from the grid with fewer emissions and a smaller footprint. GE’s power solutions are helping the Handan plant meet a variety of government objectives, including increased non-fossil fuel energy production, lower water consumption, greater energy efficiency, and reduced CO2 emissions.
Increasing aluminum output while lowering emissions in the UAE
GE launched a multi-year contractual service agreement with Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) for the world’s largest single-site aluminum smelter complex. The CSA supported EMAL’s investment in GE gas turbines equipped with advanced emission-control technologies that have helped EMAL reduce its carbon footprint and help meet regulatory requirements set by the Abu Dhabi Environmental Agency.
1.3 million
More tons of aluminum produced annually
1,000MW
of power produced when complete
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"A reliable and efficient supply of power is key to the success of our mission, as electricity accounts for a significant portion of the cost of producing aluminum. GE is successfully supporting both our Phase 1 and 2 projects with advanced power generation technology, while the new service agreements for Phase 1 offer equipment upgrades to the latest and most efficient technologies."
Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei
EMAL President and CEO
GE Gas Power supplied 9F gas turbines, C7 steam turbines, heat recovery steam generators and condensers for the project. It was one of the first installations of GE’s 9F technology for an aluminum project. The units are equipped with GE’s advanced Dry Low NOx (DLN) emissions technology.
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