Alternate Reductants Utilization

To address the technical challenges in utilization of highly reactive solid alternate reductants for replacement of coke breeze in iron ore pellet production
To incorporate solid alternate reductants in cokemaking coal blends while maintain resultant coke quality suitable for blast furnace ironmaking
To replace pulverized coal for blast furnace direct injection by pulverized solid alternate reductants
To replace nut coke by densified alternate reductant pellet in blast furnace ironmaking
To replace solid fossil carbon injection for slag foaming in electric arc furnace operation by solid alternate reductants
To enable utilization of gaseous alternate reductants in direct reduced iron production without affecting energy efficiency of the subsequent melting step

Combustion characteristics evaluation
- Development of TG-DSC-FTIR analysis technique
- Application of analysis technique for potential candidates’ suitability evaluation
Combustion characteristics enhancement
- Effect of raw biomass feedstock and pyrolysis conditions
- Post treatment of biocarbon
Utilization of alternate carbon in iron ore pellet production
- Agglomeration of alternate carbon with iron ore
- Effect on resultant iron ore pellet quality
- Industrial scale plant trial

Coal/Solid Biocarbon/Biobinder briquette production
- Briquette composition optimization
Proof of principle
- Small scale carbonization of coal/briquette mixture
Pilot scale demonstration
- Pilot scale carbonization of coal/briquette mixture for resultant biocoke quality quantification
Resultant biocoke quality enhancement
- Microscopic analysis of resultant biocoke to reveal effect of biocarbon incorporation on surrounding coal transformation into coke
- Selection of coal with optimal property for briquetting with biocarbon to enhance resultant biocoke quality

Grindability of coal/biocarbon mixture
- Effect of biocarbon substitution on injectant pulverization
Biocarbon combustion behavior
- Injection rig assessment
Industrial scale plant trials

Candidate suitability assessment technique development
- Physical properties (density, impact strength, abrasive strength)
- Devolatilization and CO2 gasification behavior
- Effect on iron ore pellet reduction performance
Potential candidates’ suitability assessment
- Application of the developed technique for suitability assessment
Handling and storage
- Laboratory weathering of potential candidates
- Properties assessment of weathered sample
- Leachate analysis for environmental impact assessment
Industrial scale plant trial

Interaction between molten slag and biocarbon
- Tensiometer observation of interfacial phenomena for assessment of potential candidates’ foaming capability
- Technology development on potential candidates’ foaming capability enhancement
Delivery of material to slag surface
- Assessment of biocarbon flowability for pneumatic transportation
- CFD modeling on particle trajectory in furnace and interaction with molten slag surface
Slag Foaming Capability of Assessment
- Setup of injection facilities for physical simulation of carbon injection for slag foaming
- Physical assessment of potential candidates’ foaming capability
- Generate data for CFD model develop to assist scale up
Industrial scale plant trial

Net Zero Emissions Steel R&D: