MATURE NATURAL GAS-OXYGEN REFORMING DRI TECHNOLOGY

HBMER(sub of HEBAZ) LEVERAGES DRI PROJECT EXPERTISE TO PROMOTE MATURE NATURAL GAS-OXYGEN REFORMING TECHNOLOGY

— After involving H2-based DRI projects from 400,000-2,500,000TPA, positioning advanced reforming solution as cost-effective alternative for direct reduction plants —

Natural gas‑oxygen reforming: a mature, cost‑effective solution

The company is now actively promoting its natural gas‑oxygen (partial oxidation) reforming technology as an independent gas preparation solution for DRI plants. This process combines natural gas with pure oxygen in a controlled reaction to produce synthesis gas (CO + H₂) suitable for iron ore reduction. Unlike the conventional steam methane reforming (SMR) approach used in Other H2-based DRI tech processes, the natural gas‑oxygen route can be implemented without the bulky, capital‑intensive catalytic reformer vessels typically required.

China has accumulated considerable operational experience with natural gas‑based partial oxidation reforming in both chemical and metallurgical applications, which has the stable operation accumulation record of several years.

Comparative analysis: natural gas‑oxygen reforming vs. others

When evaluated against the incumbent technologies, the natural gas‑oxygen reforming process offers a compelling alternative on multiple technical and economic dimensions.

Technical differentiation

The natural gas‑oxygen reforming process differs fundamentally from the conventional approaches.

Our natural gas‑oxygen (partial oxidation) route eliminates the catalyst dependency entirely. Oxygen is injected into the reformer to partially oxidize methane, generating heat and producing a hydrogen‑rich reducing gas without the need for steam or catalytic conversion. This simplification brings several advantages: reduced reformer footprint, lower capital expenditure, elimination of catalyst replacement costs, and improved tolerance for sulfur‑containing natural gas feedstocks (a meaningful benefit in regions where pipeline gas quality is variable).

Economic advantages

From a cost perspective, the natural gas‑oxygen reforming process presents a favorable investment case. The natural gas‑oxygen approach, leveraging compact POX reactor technology, reduces both equipment weight and installation complexity.

Operationally, the POX route eliminates catalyst management—no periodic replacement, no catalyst poisoning risk, and no catalyst regeneration downtime. While the process consumes pure oxygen (requiring an air separation unit), the capital and operating cost trade‑off often favors the simpler POX configuration, particularly in locations where natural gas is moderately priced but large catalytic reformers would add excessive investment burden.

Green transition compatibility

Critically, the natural gas‑oxygen reforming process is designed for a low‑carbon future. As the industry progressively shifts toward hydrogen‑based reduction, POX reformers can be adapted to operate on hydrogen‑enriched feedstocks or can be bypassed entirely when green hydrogen becomes available. This phased transition pathway aligns with the trajectory being pursued by major steelmakers globally. Our POX‑based solution provides a similarly adaptable gas preparation layer that can be scaled down or reconfigured as hydrogen supply scales up.

About the company

Our Company is a China‑based engineering and technology provider specializing in gas‑based direct reduction technologies, with direct participation in multiple DRI projects across international markets. Its natural gas‑oxygen reforming process is backed by engineering experience, patent‑protected technology, and a growing track record of reliable operation.