USING AGRIBUSINESS WASTE AS A PULVERIZED MATERIAL INJECTION IN BLAST FURNACES FOR IRONMAKING PRODUCTION WITH LOW CO2 EMISSIONS

Agribusiness is one of the largest generators of the world income, and its production accounts for one third of world economy. From the harvest until the processing of their products, the agricultural activity generates a great amount of waste that often does not have a correct allocation, which becomes a problem. This waste has great potential for partial replacement of fossil fuels such as coal. The coal burned in blast furnaces accounts for about 69% CO2 emissions in the steel industry. However, agricultural activity may contribute to removal CO2 from atmosphere as the crop grows. Therefore, the use of agribusiness waste may be feasible to be used in the blast furnace injection, replacing part of the coal. Some studies have shown that sugarcane cultivation and charcoal production in Brazil, corn cultivation in the United States, as well as the use of Moringa oleifera waste in India, can be used to bring financial gains. Furthermore, carbon credits can also be generated. In this work, chemical, physical and thermal comparison of some agribusinesses waste with potential to be used as material injected into the blast furnace with coal are shown. In addition, the economic feasibility and the possibility of reducing CO2 emissions in this process are commented.