� INTERVIEW � be able to send thermal energy back which allows them to avoid having to invest in new boilers or new flue gas treatment facilities ,” explains Dr . Xin .
Mr . Steinar Danielsen , Chief Executive Officer of WAI , and Dr . Gang Xin , Chief Technology Officer of WAI . Photo : Helene Vego
Due to the energy crisis and the consequential worry that appeared regarding bioenergy , the prices for the mentioned by-products skyrocketed . However , we are witnessing the crisis slowly coming to an end which will result in a drop in prices during the next one or two years . The Cascade principle in the new EU ’ s Renewable Energy Directive ( RED III ) states that woody biomass should be used according to its highest economic and environmental added value , which will guide the wood industry to implement more recycling solutions than bioenergy applications , such as biomass combustion . Biocarbon would be a good choice of material recycling for forest residue and waste wood . It would boost sustainability levels for sawmills and waste wood handling companies .”
A business model that benefits all
WAI ’ s business model not only benefits the steel industry but also the wood industry . Seeing as sawmills do not have a good solution for their by-products , they are obligated to transport them to other facilities , for example , paper mills and combustion plants . Due to the bulkiness of the product and the water content that can be higher than 50 %, the value of the biomass is reduced during transportation .
Highlighting once again the wide range of sustainable strategies at our disposal , Dr . Xin proposed a suitable solution . “ By setting up our biocarbon production facility inside the sawmill , we would be able to take the by-products on-site , produce biocarbon and make pellets . This would in turn reduce up to 90 % of the facility ’ s potential truck traffic .”
Syngas is the secondary product obtained in WAI ’ s sustainable manufacturing process . It provides the option to produce hot water , steam and electricity thanks to a technology called Organic Rankine Cycle . “ If we implemented our technology in sawmills , we would
WAI ’ s founders are certain that after the steel industry recognizes the full potential of their biocarbon technology , the wood industry will soon follow . “ There is a fixed schedule for replacing existing boilers in Norway and other European countries . We hope to go through with our plan and show companies that a more sustainable and cost-effective option exists , rather than spending money on new boilers or transporting biomass to combustion facilities ,” Mr . Danielsen stated .
Endless potential
Currently , WAI boasts a large-scale demonstration plant that can process three hundred kilograms per hour . In other words , they are able to produce up to five hundred tonnes of biocarbon per year . The next step will be the commissioning of a full-scale five thousand tonnes / year biocarbon plant in 2025 .
“ We have several products . Our injection biocarbon is designed for injecting into a furnace through pipes after pulverization . At the moment , the market is huge , however , due to the expected replacement of BFs with EAFs , the market will be shrinking . This is why we have developed our second product , charge biocarbon . Its thermal and mechanical resistance makes it suitable for use in EAFs ,”
30 Green Steel World | Issue 9 | November 2023