Tata Steel has successfully conducted a trial using biomass fuel at its Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division (FAMD) in Athagarh, Odisha, India, reported Bioenergy Insight.
During the trial, conventional fossil fuels were replaced with biomass, marking a significant advancement towards sustainable ferrochrome production and reducing carbon footprint.
The process involves substituting traditional reductants with carbon-neutral biomass, produced through low-temperature burning of wood in an oxygen-starved environment.
The carbon released during the charcoal burning in the Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF) will be offset by the carbon absorbed by the trees used to make the biomass.
This initiative is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 0.08 tons per ton of Ferrochrome (with 5% biomass usage), representing approximately 6% of the total CO2 emissions from the Ferrochrome plant.
FAMD becomes the first facility in India to successfully trial biomass as an alternative to conventional carbon sources.
Pankaj Satija, Executive in charge of FAMD, emphasized, “This trial underscores our commitment to sustainability and our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions. By adopting biomass, we aim to establish a cleaner, more sustainable production process, contributing to a greener future.”
“The shift to biomass marks a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. We remain committed to exploring and implementing innovative solutions that enhance environmental performance and operational excellence,” Satija added.
