Title

BIOMASS USE IN IRONMAKING: OPTIONS AND LIMITS

BIOMASS USE IN IRONMAKING: OPTIONS AND LIMITS

Authorship

Babich, A.; Arnsfeld, S.; Kowitwarangkul, P.; Senk., D.

Babich, A.

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Arnsfeld, S.

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Kowitwarangkul, P.

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Senk., D.

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DOI

10.5151/2594-357X-22209

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Abstract

In short terms, only few options to mitigate the CO2 emissions can be introduced in the steel industry both from economical and technical points of view. Use of biomass is one of such options. In this contribution, firstly biomass sources, resources, availability, processing steps and products as well as quality requirements are discussed controversially. Afterwards three options for the use of biomass in ironmaking are presented: injection into shaft furnaces, incorporation into the burden materials or coal blends or reducing gas generation. Two first ways (direct injection and charge of biomass containing burden into the blast furnace) are discussed more detailed primarily based on recently completed and running at the IEHK, RWTH Aachen University projects. Injection behaviour and relevant characteristics of charcoals produced from oak, olive and eucalyptus at carbonisation temperature in the range of 360-560°C were compared with fossil coals typically used as PC. Then torrefied materials produced from pine and beech wood chips at varying temperatures in the range of 200-350°C were examined. Next, an approach for lowering the thermal reserve zone temperature by using high reactive carbonaceous materials and operation of large blast furnaces vs. mini blast furnaces are discussed. Composite pellets with cold embedded charcoal were investigated with this background. Reduction and volume change behaviour as well as and strength of these materials were examined. Pellets without reductant and with embedded coal were investigated as reference materials.

In short terms, only few options to mitigate the CO2 emissions can be introduced in the steel industry both from economical and technical points of view. Use of biomass is one of such options. In this contribution, firstly biomass sources, resources, availability, processing steps and products as well as quality requirements are discussed controversially. Afterwards three options for the use of biomass in ironmaking are presented: injection into shaft furnaces, incorporation into the burden materials or coal blends or reducing gas generation. Two first ways (direct injection and charge of biomass containing burden into the blast furnace) are discussed more detailed primarily based on recently completed and running at the IEHK, RWTH Aachen University projects. Injection behaviour and relevant characteristics of charcoals produced from oak, olive and eucalyptus at carbonisation temperature in the range of 360-560°C were compared with fossil coals typically used as PC. Then torrefied materials produced from pine and beech wood chips at varying temperatures in the range of 200-350°C were examined. Next, an approach for lowering the thermal reserve zone temperature by using high reactive carbonaceous materials and operation of large blast furnaces vs. mini blast furnaces are discussed. Composite pellets with cold embedded charcoal were investigated with this background. Reduction and volume change behaviour as well as and strength of these materials were examined. Pellets without reductant and with embedded coal were investigated as reference materials.

Keywords

Charcoal; Torrefied biomass; Injection; Self-reducing pellets and composites; Mini blast furnace.

Charcoal; Torrefied biomass; Injection; Self-reducing pellets and composites; Mini blast furnace.