Blast furnace’s replacement rate calculation for biomasses based on chemical and thermal properties.

Abstract

The injection of pulverized materials in blast furnaces is a technique that has been used in iron making for reducing costs with reducing fuels and allows greater operational control. To be injected, the material needs some chemical, physical and thermal characteristics for the process. However, biomass presents as an economical and environmentally viable alternative to replace part of the coal used in this process. One variable analyzed in the reduction process is the replacement rate (RR), which is the amount of coke saved loading on the top of the reactor per quantity of material injected. There are some mathematical models for calculating the replacement rate based on properties, which are results of studies in determined blast furnaces. This work will show some calculations for replacement rate of biomasses using formulas from the literature. Some results show the technical feasibility for the use of biomass in blast furnaces.