Value-in-use of biocarbon fuel for direct injection in blast furnace ironmaking

Substitution of pulverised coal injection (PCI) by solid biocarbon fuel has the potential to achieve substantial reduction in GHG emissions associated with blast furnace ironmaking. A systematic evaluation was conducted on the performance of solid biocarbons produced from a single raw biomass source using different pyrolysis technologies. A techno-economic model was developed to evaluate the value-in-use (VIU) of the prepared solid biocarbon in blast furnace ironmaking. The VIU of solid biocarbon is strongly influent by its O/C (oxygen to carbon) mass ratio which is determined by the pyrolysis technology and conditions employed. It also dictates the cost of raw materials required to support the blast furnace ironmaking process and the potential GHG emissions achievable. In order to balance all factors that may affect the VIU of solid biocarbon, close collaboration between steelmakers and solid biocarbon producers is critical for producing suitable solid biocarbon fuel to replace PCI.