Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has launched a groundbreaking industrial trial involving the use of bamboo biochar at its Durgapur Steel Plant in West Burdwan district, marking a first in the Indian steel industry.
The trial, initiated in the Sinter Plant No. 2, involves the use of bamboo biochar as a partial replacement for coke breeze (a fossil fuel) in the sintering process. This pioneering step in utilising greener solid fuel is expected to significantly reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and decrease CO2 emissions in the steel production process.
The trial follows extensive laboratory and pilot-scale testing at SAIL’s R&D Centre in Ranchi, where various biochar types were tested and optimised. With a carefully designed plan and robust testing methodology, the industrial-scale trial will be conducted over 4-5 days in two phases. This trial has the potential to replace up to 10-20 per cent of the coke breeze with bamboo biochar, contributing to an estimated reduction of 15-20 per cent in CO2 emissions per tonne of crude steel produced. Within the biospheric carbon cycle, bioenergy can be carbon neutral because the carbon that is released during combustion has previously been sequestered from the atmosphere and will be sequestered again as the plants regrow, i.e. If sustainably produced.
This initiative aligns with India’s as well as SAIL’s commitment to achieving a reduced carbon emission target. The bamboo biochar trial also exemplifies SAIL’s active engagement in the global effort to reduce the steel industry’s environmental footprint. The trial’s success could serve as a model in steel making, demonstrating the potential of alternative fuels in reducing reliance on fossil-based resources. Inauguration of this trial took place in presence of S Subbaraj, ED (ASP); P Murugesan, ED (projects) of DSP; K Bhattacharjee, ED (MM) of DSP; K Ramakrishna, ED (works) of DSP and many other senior officials from DSP, ASP, ISP, RDCIS, Officers association and various union representatives and members from ministry of steel including employees of sinter plant and associated departments in large numbers.