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Biomass – multiple areas of application
It is not only the metal industry that wants to use biomass to eliminate fossil emissions. Today, a large share of district heating in Sweden is produced by burning biomass, many vehicles run on biofuels, and there is strong demand for paper-based packaging. In agriculture and forestry, the potential of using biocarbon as a soil amendment and as a tool for carbon sequestration is being explored. By mixing biocarbon into the soil, carbon atoms can be stored over long periods of time instead of forming carbon dioxide that contributes to the greenhouse effect in the atmosphere.
What is metallurgical biocarbon?
In principle, any material containing carbon can be carbonised by being exposed to high temperatures in an oxygen‑limited environment. These types of processes are known as pyrolysis processes. When carbon is produced from biogenic materials (biomass, such as grass, wood, or food waste), the product is referred to as biocarbon.
The most familiar example is charcoal for grilling, historically produced in charcoal kilns, but today typically manufactured in more advanced pyrolysis reactors.
Historically, the steel industry used charcoal similar to today’s grilling charcoal. However, modern applications in the metal industry place stricter demands. The carbon used today for metal production is almost exclusively fossil-based. These fossil carbon materials are either anthracite, which is naturally low in impurities, or coke, which is refined coal. High-quality metal production requires very pure carbon, with low levels of impurities such as sulphur and phosphorus. In most cases, the carbon must also be hard, strong, and dense.
Producing a carbon material from biomass that meets all these requirements is challenging, but due to ongoing research and development, biogenic alternatives are steadily improving. Biocarbon can be produced from ordinary wood, but also from residues such as sawdust or bark, and even from sludge and food waste. However, the quality and cost can vary significantly depending on the raw material used.
Image from Höganäs.