Per: Lucas Gonçalves Generoso (ARCELORMITTAL TUBARÃO), BRUNA PATRÍCIA OLIVEIRA (ARCELORMITTAL TUBARÃO), Leonardo de Nardi Plazzi (ARCELORMITTAL TUBARÃO), Joelson Cavalcante Andrade (ARCELORMITTAL TUBARÃO), Jingleison Nascimento (ARCELORMITTAL TUBARÃO), Tiago Assereuy Lobão (ARCELORMITTAL TUBARÃO), Cláudio César Costa (ARCELORMITTAL TUBARÃO)
Abstract:
Steelmaking processes are carbon-intensive, and blast furnaces largely contribute to CO2 generation. The use of charcoal instead of mineral coal is a well-known practice and an important option for mitigating greenhouse gases. Industrial tests were conducted at ArcelorMittal Tubarão in which injection coal was partially replaced by charcoal in blast furnaces. Therefore, this study evaluated the consumption of 3,000 tons of charcoal, corresponding to 5% of the pulverized coal mixture, over a period of 15 days in the blast furnaces of ArcelorMittal Tubarão. Considering the current environmental guidelines, the charcoal injection caused no environmental harm. No segregations were observed in storage. Chemical and granulometric results over time remained unchanged. Variations observed in grinding were within usual working values, although there was a higher pressure loss in injection vessels and variation in coal rate. The performance of the blast furnaces was not negatively affected in terms of productivity, efficiency, and quality, despite an increase in dust rate. These results were fundamental for the technical feasibility study of using charcoal as an auxiliary fuel in blast furnaces.