Techno-Economic Pre-feasibility Study of a Hydrogen Plasma-Based Ferromanganese Plant

Abstract

Plasma species such as monoatomic hydrogen are much more reactive than diatomic hydrogen gas, H_2(g). This means that plasma technology can be a way of introducing hydrogen as a reducing agent for producing metals and alloys, like manganese, where oxide reduction to the metallic state by hydrogen gas is not possible. While still an immature technology, it is nevertheless important to address questions regarding economic relevance. In this work, best estimates are used to describe a hypothetical plasma-based process and plant for manganese production. This description then makes the foundation for a techno-economic analysis comparing this hypothetical process with existing standards. It is found that at present, it seems plausible that hydrogen plasma technology can compete economically, and thus be a viable way to decarbonise manganese production. The most sensitive parameters appear to be hydrogen price, cost of CO₂-emissions, and to what extent excess energy from the plasma unit can be captured and used for pre-heating of the ore.