Bio-coke for ferroalloys industry production
Institute of Energy and Fuel Processing Technology ·Poland
About this project
<p>Norwegian ferroalloy industry produces more than 1 million of tonnes of ferroalloys per year (i.e. FeSi/Si, FeMn/SiMn). Because raw materials of fossil origin (coal and coke) are used as raw materials for ore reduction, the ferroalloy industry is a significant CO2 emitter, and accounts for approximately 9 % of the total industrial CO2 emssions in Norway. Due to the adverse impact of greenhouse gases on the climate, in particular CO2, the policy of the European Union assumes and aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030. The main objective of the project is to develop an innovative and economically viable technology for bio-coke production for the ferroalloys industry (Mn-alloys). A novel material - biocoke will be suitable as a sustainable and cost competitive reductant for ferroalloys production. The implementation of this technology, i.e. the use of bio-coke in the production of ferroalloys in electric arc furnaces, will reduce CO2 emissions from their production. The main idea will be to use biomass as an additive to the coking blend and thus incorporate an environmentally friendly (carbon neutral) component into the coke structure. The project is planned over a period of 36 months and consists of 7 Work Packages whose consecutive implementation will contribute to achieving the project's objectives. The benefits from the project realization will be for all consortium members. The composition consits of units from the field of business & industry and research & development sector what forms an unique interaction between science and industry with an opportunity of experience and ideas exchanges. The contacts established during the project realization will create opportunities for cooperation in the implementation of research work in the future by tightening contacts between polish and norwegian partners.</p>
Bilateral cooperation results
The implementation of the BioCoke4FAI project brought the following benefits in connection with cooperation with Norwegian partners: made it possible to carry out laboratory and pilot research and tests using research infrastructure unavailable in Poland, e.g. bench-scale induction furnaces and a pilot furnace for the process of carbothermic reduction of manganese ores. This allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the produced bio-coke (as a result of the project) in an environment similar to industrial conditions. At the same time, it allowed Polish researchers to better understand the metallurgical processes related to the production of ferroalloys, which largely use carbon reductants produced in Poland. On the other hand, Norwegian researchers also learned in detail about the technologies for producing coke, which is one of the basic raw materials (along with manganese ore) for the production of manganese ferroalloys. This allowed for the integration of process knowledge, starting from the raw materials side, through the production processes, to the quality of the final product. Moreover, by promoting the project results at international conferences and seminars, both parties have gained greater recognition in the field of industrial technologies that reduce CO2 greenhouse gas emissions, especially those related to the production of low-emission carbon reductants. Thanks to the implementation of the project, ITPE expanded its competences and the scope of services offered to producers of ferroalloys and the dynamically developing biochar industry in Europe - related to the assessment of the of conventional and renewable carbon reductants. Thanks to the implementation of the project, a long-term relationship was established between the partners, which resulted in the submission of two project applications under the Horizon program - one application received funding (acronym: MECALO). Further cooperation related to carbon reductant technologies is planned.
Project partners
- SINTEF AS Donor project partner· Norway
- ERAMET NORWAY AS Donor project partner· Norway
- Koksownia Częstochowa Nowa Sp. z o.o. Project partner· Poland