Helix Carbon says it can make iron cheaper by recycling blast furnace pollution

Helix Carbon, a startup company, claims to have a solution that can make iron production cheaper by recycling pollution from blast furnaces. The iron and steel industries are among the biggest polluters globally, and many startups have attempted to reduce their emissions, often by developing new methods for metal production. However, David Brown, the co-founder and CEO of Helix Carbon, believes that these startups have been misguided.

According to Brown, addressing blast furnaces is crucial for effective decarbonization of the steel industry. Blast furnaces, which have been used for centuries to produce iron, generate significant amounts of carbon dioxide during the process. Helix Carbon's approach aims to minimize this carbon dioxide by converting it back into carbon monoxide and reintroducing it into the blast furnace.

The company's process involves using an electrolyzer, a device that breaks off an oxygen atom from carbon dioxide. Unlike most electrolyzers that require purified carbon dioxide, Helix Carbon's design can handle the exhaust stream directly from blast furnaces. By reducing the amount of coke required in the blast furnace, iron producers can save money.

Helix Carbon suggests that replacing 33% of coke could save them $14 per ton of iron produced. While the exact percentage of coke that can be eliminated is debated, the potential savings are significant, considering the $2 trillion market for iron and steel industries. To achieve profitability sooner, Helix Carbon intends to target the specialty chemicals industry initially.

They plan to utilize waste streams for making chemicals instead of capturing carbon dioxide first. Helix Carbon is participating in the Startup Battlefield pitch competition and presented live at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco.