Project Status: Complete
Project Participants: CSIRO
Project Leader: Michael Somerville (CSIRO)
This project aimed to substitute fossil-based fuels and reductants (such as coal and coke) with renewable charcoal in the Tasmanian metallurgical industry. Of particular interest was substitution in submerged electric arc furnaces at Bell Bay (TEMCO/BHP Billiton) and in induration (hardening) of iron ore pellets at Port Latta (Australian Bulk Minerals). The charcoal was derived from waste biomass produced in Tasmanian forestry and agricultural industries.
Progress in this project has been made in developing relationships with the Tasmanian government, forestry and agricultural industries and forestry academics. Much information was obtained on biomass residues, collection, transport, and processing costs. A techno-economic model was formulated which compared the net cost of substituting charcoal derived from waste biomass while considering income from carbon content, carbon tax benefits and electricity generation. A comparison was also made between utilising forest residues to produce electricity via gasification and utilising forest residue to produce charcoal which can be used in metallurgical industries.
Through the relationships developed in this project, the waste products from one industry (forestry and agriculture) could become feedstocks for a second industry (metallurgy). This synergistic approach is being pursued elsewhere in Australia (Western Australia and South Australia) and has gained support from government and industry.