Tecnored Carbonization Process – A Novel Technology for Biocarbon Production

Abstract

As one of the most energy and carbon-intensive industry worldwide, steel production sector aims to progressively reduce its carbon footprint and meet the goals of CO2 mitigation recently stablished in the climate change conferences. The novel Tecnored Carbonization Technology has emerging as a disruptive way to provide such less carbon-intensive sources for iron and steelmaking sector. This new carbonization process in mainly driven by the needs for using biomass of varied sources and grain sizes available in decentralized locations and producing biocarbon adapted to meet the technological requirements of steelmaking processes. The first plant of the Tecnored Carbonization process is under final installation in Pindamonhangaba (Sao Paulo state, Brazil) being able to produce up to 25.000 t/year of biocarbon. The process concept consists in separate the drying, carbonization and cooling steps and using the pyrolysis gases to heat the carbonization unit. The rotary kiln allows biomass carbonization in a wide range of temperature with efficient heat transfer and residence times in the order of minutes. In addition to the key advantages of biomass flexibility and biocarbon products diversity, the Tecnored Carbonization Plant was designed with high automation level and is able to be installed with modularity and portability. Besides to provide biocarbon to conventional steelmaking routes, the association of the Tecnored Carbonization and Smelter Technologies is a promising route to contribute for decarbonization of the iron and steelmaking industry.