Charcoal, renewable energy source for steelmaking process

Abstract

The growing demand for energy, the significant increases in prices offossil fuels and the environmental commitments have led ACESITA toreview its current energy sources and to aim at self-sufficiency in renewableenergy. ACESITA operates two blast furnaces with coke or charcoalas reductant. With the recent investments in the ironmaking areaand in Acesita Energética, and with the combined mastering of blastfurnace operation and charcoal production, ACESITA will be prepared,as of 2009, to operate its blast furnaces with 100% renewable fuel(charcoal). Forest based charcoal production through a modern, environmentally,socially and economically sustainable way is demonstrated.