Page 178 - CW E-Magazine (11-2-2025)

Special Report

into biochar. It is also possible that a carbon content is biogenic (coming biochar production methods for steel-
group of farmers can operate a kiln. In from natural carbon cycle). This car- making, aiming to produce biochar
this scenario, a truck equipped with a bon was sourced from plants, which with characteristics closer to coke.
pyrolyser can move from place to place absorbed atmospheric CO during their Hybrid approaches that blend bio-
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to pyrolyse biomass. There are compa- growth by photosynthesis. char with conventional fuels (like a
nies in North America, Australia and biochar-coke mix) could bea transi-
UK selling biochar and biochar pro- Biochar remains inthe ground for tion solution, allowing steelmakers
duction units. At the 2009 International centuries, slowing the increase in atmos- to incrementally reduce their carbon
Biochar Conference, a mobile pyrolysis pheric green house gas levels. Simulta- footprint without fully overhauling
unit with intake capacity of 450-kg was neously, its presence in the earth can production processes.
exhibited. improve water quality, increase soil
fertility and raise agricultural produc- It is recently reported that the
It is reported that research into tivity. Indian Institute of Technology (Indian
aspects of pyrolysis/biochar is under- School of Mines) at Dhanbad, has
wayin many places like University Biochar has also been used in animal signed a MoU with ‘Sentra World’ a
of Edinburgh, University of Georgia. feed in many countries for centuries. Bangaluru-based sustainability startup
Swedish University of Agricultural in decarbonizing industrial manufac-
Sciences etc.But still production and Cement production accounts for turing, to carry out research aiming
utilization of biochar are not considered about 8% of global CO emissions. The at decarbonising the iron and steel
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priority in most places. concrete industry is increasingly shift- industry of the country. As per media
ing to using supplementary cementi- reports, the collaboration will focus on
Applications tious material (SCM), additives that application of biochar in steel manu-
Applications of biochar include reduce the volume of Portland cement facturing. The research will involve
improving of soil health, raising soil in a mix while maintaining or improving developing conversion processes to
pH, remediating polluted soils, sequester- concrete properties. Biochar has been produce high-quality biochar suitable
ing carbon, and lowering greenhouse shown to be an effective SCM, main- for steel making furnaces inplace of
gas emissions. taining required strength and ductility coke. The research targets utilisation
properties of concrete. of biomass like agricultural residue
Soil pollution from the past use of (rice straw, husk, corn stalks), forest
DDT is still a problem in many parts Biochar is increasingly being residue like bamboo, agri-processing
of the world. Researchers at Chalmers explored as a sustainable alternative in waste such as sugarcane bagasse, and
University of Technology, Sweden, the iron and steel making industries due invasive species like babool. This
have developed a new method to bind to its potential to reduce carbon emis- initiative also aims to curb stubble
the toxin with biochar, which is hygro- sions and fossil fuel dependence. Iron burning, a major contributor to air
scopic due to its porous structure and and steel making is one of the most pollution (Source: The Hindu Business-
high specifi c surface area. carbon-intensive industrial process, line, November 21,2024).
responsible for about 7-8% of global
As a result of biochar application, CO emissions. Biochar has a similar Stubble burning is the practice of
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fertiliser and other nutrients are re- function to coke in reduction of iron intentionally setting fi re to the straw
tained for benefi t of plants. ore to produce molten iron. It acts as a that remains after grain such as rice or
reducing agent to strip oxygen from wheat have been harvested. Prolonged
As mentioned earlier, biochar will iron oxides (Fe O ) in the furnace, stubble burning kills benefi cial micro-
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sequester carbon in the soil for hun- forming CO and iron (Fe). fl ora and fauna in soil, which reduces
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dreds of years, like coal. organic matter and destroys carbon-
Biochar can also be used in Electric nitrogen equilibrium. The practice of
The biochar making process also Arc Furnaces (EAF) as carbon injec- stubble burning in Haryana, Punjab
releases CO (upto 50% of the biomass); tion material like petroleum coke (fos- and Western Uttar Pradesh sends
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however, the remaining carbon content sil carbon source) are injected into the plumes of acrid smokes packed with
becomes indefi nitely stable. Moreover EAF duringmelting process. dangerous cancer-causing particles
the amount of CO released is much drifting over a densely populated belt of
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lower than that of fossil fuels and its Research is going on to optimise Northern India, including the capital,

178 Chemical Weekly February 11, 2025

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