| Abstract Scope |
To address the global challenge of climate change, NIPPON DENKO is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, focusing on advancing ferromanganese production processes. Currently, coal-coke is used as a reducing agent in Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF) operations, but its replacement with renewable alternatives remains a technological challenge. While H₂-reduction is viable in steelmaking, it cannot fully reduce manganese ores to manganese metal, necessitating more advanced approaches. This study investigates the potential of Bio-Carbons, such as Bamboo-carbon and Black-pellets, as carbon-neutral reducing agents. Fundamental experiments revealed differences in reactivity among various Bio-Carbons and traditional Coal-coke, with slag and Fe₂O₃ further influencing reduction efficiency. Effective components in Bio-Carbons also play a crucial role in the reaction mechanism. These findings provide valuable insights into the development of sustainable reduction technologies, contributing to decarbonizing ferromanganese production and supporting global carbon neutrality goals. |