Enhancing biochar quality for the steel industry via Hydrothermal Pretreatment-Steam Explosion and pyrolysis.

Biochar has potential applications in steelmaking processes, but faces technical challenges such as low material density, high alkali content, and high reactivity compared to coal. This study explores converting the solid residue, following hydrothermal pretreatment-steam explosion (HTP-SE) of Miscanthus and other biomass feedstocks, into biochar to facilitate the replacement of coal in blast furnace and electric arc furnace operations. It is the first to demonstrate the enhanced combustion characteristics of pretreated fibre and the compatibility of the biochar for use in steelmaking.