Using a Novel Scaled Injector to Evaluate Biocarbon for Slag Foaming in EAF Steelmaking

The steel industry faces increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, driving interest in sustainable alternatives to fossil-based carbon materials. Biocarbon, derived from renewable biomass, has shown promise as a charge carbon in electric steelmaking, but research into its application as an injection carbon for slag foaming is still ongoing. While studies have examined the reactivity and slag foaming behavior of biocarbon, its injectability has not been adequately evaluated due to the lack of a suitable experimental equipment. This study addresses this gap with a novel setup using a laboratory induction furnace and featuring a specially designed scaled-down industrial injector. Unlike previous experiments, which focused on evaluating slag foaming behaviour, this configuration enables the assessment of biocarbon injectability and slag foaming initiation under controlled laboratory conditions. CFD simulations of biocarbon injection helped inform both the injector design and the experimental conditions, ensuring effective penetration of the biocarbon particles. By closely replicating industrial injection conditions, this setup facilitates a new understanding of biocarbon’s potential as a sustainable alternative in electric steelmaking.