Effect of the Ash from H₂‐Rich Carbonaceous Materials on the Physicochemical Properties of Raceway Slag and Coke Reactivity

Abstract

The iron and steel industry is one of the most important sectors worldwide, and it has a great impact on the global economy; however, this sector is still highly dependent on fossil carbon. To decrease this dependency, approaches to partially replace the injected pulverized coal with secondary, highly reactive, renewable (biomass) and H2‐rich materials are studied. The injection of such materials is expected to significantly decrease the emitted CO2 from blast furnaces. However, due to the different ash composition of these alternative materials (especially alkali and alkaline earth metals) compared to that of ordinary injected coal, these materials are expected to alter the raceway slag properties and affect the coke reactivity. Herein, the effect of the ash from different hydrogen‐rich carbonaceous materials on the raceway slag physicochemical properties as well as coke reactivity is reported. The melting characteristics of the ash briquettes in contact with the coke and wettability of the melted ash on the coke surface are determined visually using an optical heating microscope. The effect of the ash on the coke reactivity is studied by means of thermogravimetry under a continuous flow of CO2.

Effect of SiO₂ on the Softening-Melting and Dropping Behavior of Magnesia Flux Pellets

“…The Chinese iron and steel industry is mainly based on the blast furnace-converter long process that relies on coal fossil energy, 1,2) which is a typical high carbon emission industry. Every ton of steel produced emits approximately 1.8 tons of carbon dioxide, [3][4][5] accounting for 16% of the country's total carbon emissions. 6) In the whole process, blast furnace ironmaking is the link with the highest energy consumption and the largest SiO 2 emission, accounting for approximately 75% of the whole steel production process.…”