Potencial utilization of the husk from moringa oleifera seed in blast furnace injection.

Abstract

Moringa oleifera is known as the tree of life for its numerous applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutritional industries. The husk has some chemistry properties that are interesting to use in the energy generation. However, coal is the most used material for blast furnace injection, which is a non-renewable fossil fuel and emits a huge amount of greenhouse gases. The use of the husk from Moringa oleifera seeds have positive environmental and economic effects as renewable sources of fuel. This study aims at characterizing the husk from Moringa oleifera seed and evaluating its use as a pulverized material injection for the blast furnace. Initial results show that this material has a good combustion rate, high volatiles and hydrogen content. Despite the carbon content and calorific value been lower than coal, it is possible to use 40% of the husks in the injection with the coal mixture, reducing 30% of CO2 emissions in the injection process.