Production of pig iron by utilizing biomass as a reducing agent

Large carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in iron and steel industry are caused by the use of non-renewable and fossil fuel derived reducing agents. Currently coal, metallurgical coke, and natural gas are major reducing agents used in different ironmaking processes. In order to reduce iron oxide into metallic iron, carbon is required which is also stored in many types of biomass in the form of carbohydrates. In this study self-reducing iron oxide and biomass composite pellets were made. Pellets were then fired at different temperatures for different residence times. Results show that high quality pig iron nuggets not only can be produced at various temperatures, they can also be produced at a very short residence times.

► Huge CO2 emissions from iron making process. ► Currently fossil fuel derived, non-renewable reductants are used. ► Self -reducing iron oxide and biomass composite pellets were produced. ► Pig iron nuggets were produced at different experimental conditions. ► High quality pig iron nugget can be produced using biomass alone as reducing agent.