� INTERVIEW �
Each tonne of biocarbon can replace up to 1.3 tonnes of fossil carbon which equals 3.3 tonnes of CO 2 emission reduction , based on WAI ’ s product CO 2 footprint analysis . Photo : WAI Environmental Solutions using charcoal ( biocarbon ) as a reducing agent for stripping oxygen from iron ore and producing iron . Almost 150 years ago , the higherin-quality and more easily obtained coal came into the picture and replaced charcoal .
Founded in 2017 , WAI is , in a way , guiding the industry on a journey to where it all started . Simply put , they are replacing fossil carbon with biocarbon for the metallurgical industry . “ We have developed the technology to produce high-quality biocarbon whose density and mechanical and thermal resistance satisfy the necessary requirements for direct replacement of fossil carbon ,” said Dr . Xin , as we dived into the topic . “ Our process is a combination of conventional methods such as pyrolysis and biocarbon formulation technologies . By implementing new technologies in a conventional bioenergy plant , we do not only produce bioenergy but also material such as biocarbon . Pyrolysis itself has recently seen many advancements . The technology is highly scalable and can enable a large production provided that the feedstock sources are stable ,” he continued .
Sawdust , bark , wood chips and shavings and waste wood sorted from municipal solid waste represent the feedstock that has the potential to be transformed into biocarbon . Each tonne of biocarbon can replace up to 1.3 tonnes of fossil carbon which equals 3.3 tonnes of CO 2 emission reduction , based on WAI ’ s product
CO 2 footprint analysis .
“ At the moment , charcoal is mainly produced from hardwood in Brazil and Southeast Asia . The process is not only energy-inefficient but also entails long and costly transportation . In our opinion , the best solution would be to use the forest residue or waste wood locally in order to produce highquality biocarbon which can replace metallurgical coal and coke directly in the steelmaking process without changing any properties of the final products and without any changes to the steelmaking facility needed . That way no large investments would be incurred for the steel companies ,” Dr . Xin commented .
Biomass is better for material recycling according to the EU RED III
With the total available sawmill by-products and demolition wood ( types A , B and C ) in Europe , there is potential for 10-12 million tonnes of biocarbon . Compared to sixty million tonnes of metallurgical coal being imported to Europe , this represents a significant decarbonisation potential . “ We need more feedstock brought into the picture such as forest logging residue , waste wood , pulp and paper and biorefinery waste . If this was achieved , we would be able to go up to twenty or thirty percent of the total demand . We believe that hydrogen will be the main decarbonisation tool by 2050 , however , biocarbon can still contribute a 10-20 % emission reduction to the overall European
CO 2 emissions from the steel industry during the transition period . Even if hydrogen technology is eventually implemented and most of the existing BFs are replaced by electric arc furnaces ( EAFs ), large amounts of biogenic carbon materials will be needed in EAFs , which will maintain the demand for biocarbon ,” Dr . Xin explains .
When asked about the availability of feedstock , Mr . Danielsen kindly elaborated on that topic and on WAI ’ s satisfaction with the market in general . “ If we go back two or three years , the feedstock availability has been very good . Sawmills often sell their products at low prices because they lack storage space .
Green Steel World | Issue 9 | November 2023 29