Furnace Carbon Recycling

Helix Carbon's electrolyzer technology converts waste carbon dioxide from blast furnaces into carbon monoxide, which is recycled back into the furnace, allowing iron producers to use less coke without replacing the furnace itself. The design handles the full exhaust stream, which most electrolyzers cannot, without first purifying and concentrating the carbon dioxide.

Helix proposes starting by replacing 33% of the coke, which it says would save producers $14 per ton of iron in a thin-margin industry. Studies disagree on how much coke can be displaced, with estimates ranging from 30% to 40%, and some suggesting as much as 90%. To generate revenue sooner, the startup will target specialty chemical makers.

As heavy industry seeks emissions cuts that fit existing equipment, Helix signals that retrofitting blast furnaces could lower emissions while improving margins.