Progress Toward Biocarbon Utilization in Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking: Current Status and Future Prospects

Steel is an essential material in modern infrastructure and industry, but its production is associated with significant carbon dioxide emissions. Biocarbon utilization in electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking represents a promising pathway toward reducing the carbon footprint of steel production. This review draws new perspectives on the current state of biocarbon utilization in EAF steelmaking by collectively examining the literature from multiple scales of testing, from laboratory experiments to industrial trials. The scientific insights from each scale are defined and the results are collectively pooled to give a comprehensive understanding of biocarbon’s performance for EAF applications. Several recent progressions are identified along with critical limitations, such as biocarbon’s high reactivity or low density. However, solution pathways like agglomeration are established from the thorough understanding developed by this study. These insights aim to enhance the progression of biocarbon utilization in the EAF process, ultimately facilitating the development of more efficient and sustainable steelmaking. The proposed areas for future research, such as optimizing key biocarbon properties or improved injection systems, are expected to have significant impact on the next phase of biocarbon adoption. © His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources 2024.