Helix Carbon says it can make iron cheaper by recycling blast furnace pollution
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Helix Carbon unveiled a technology that converts the carbon dioxide emitted by blast furnaces into carbon monoxide and feeds it back into the reduction process, allowing iron producers to cut the amount of coke they burn. The system uses a robust electrolyzer capable of treating the raw exhaust stream, a step beyond conventional units that require purified CO2. Helix proposes replacing roughly one‑third of coke with recycled carbon monoxide, which could lower fuel costs by about $14 per ton of iron and reduce the furnace’s CO2 output. The startup, founded by David Brown, showcased the solution at TechCrunch Disrupt’s Startup Battlefield, emphasizing a win‑win of lower emissions and tighter margins for the $2 trillion steel sector and greener manufacturing for future.
💡 Why It Matters
- · By turning a furnace’s own waste gas into fuel, Helix gives steelmakers a direct route to slash both carbon output and operating costs without replacing legacy equipment.
