An industrial steel plant is evaluating two low-carbon technologies for a new production facility: an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and a Green Hydrogen-ready Shaft Furnace.
The table below shows some specifications and operational costs for each furnace type:
| Feature | Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) | Green Hydrogen-ready Shaft Furnace |
|---|---|---|
| Batch cycle time (minutes) | 180 | 45 |
| Energy cost per 10 tonnes of steel produced (£) | 450 | 950 |
| Maximum capacity per batch (tonnes) | 85 | 130 |
| Capital installation cost (£ millions) | 18 | 29 |
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of choosing the Green Hydrogen-ready Shaft Furnace rather than the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) for their operation.