Integrated Pyrolysis–Tar Decomposition over Low-Grade Iron Ore for Ironmaking Applications: Effects of Coal–Biomass Fuel Blending

Abstract

One problem associated with ironmaking is the depletion of carbonaceous material (e.g., coal) for iron reduction. A combination of coal and biomass (coal–biomass co-pyrolysis) provides an advantageous synergetic effect to overcome the disadvantage of using renewable raw materials, such as biomass. In this study, we investigated the effect of coal–biomass co-pyrolysis in integrated pyrolysis–tar decomposition over low-grade iron ore. Combined coal–biomass with biomass blending ratios (BBRs) of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. A kinetic study on the co-pyrolysis using a double-distributed activation energy model has been conducted. Coal–biomass co-pyrolysis was also performed in integrated pyrolysis–tar decomposition over porous iron ore. The reference line method was used to identify the synergetic effect for each pyrolysis product. A synergetic effect of coal–biomass co-pyrolysis has also been found for decreasing char and heavy tar products as well as for increasing lig...