Title

EFFICIENT STEELMAKING HAS ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

EFFICIENT STEELMAKING HAS ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Authorship

Rummler, Torsten; Belous, Jim; Hamy, Michel; Apfel, Jens

Rummler, Torsten

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Belous, Jim

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Hamy, Michel

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Apfel, Jens

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5300-0004

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Abstract

As we help our clients improve their melting processes, we see them reduce their emissions of gas and dust from their Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs). Some clients also opt for spray tower technology on their Direct Evacuation Control (DEC) systems, which can bring them to a zero wastewater discharge status. These solutions lead to more production at reduced costs. The connection between environmental control and operations has become so dominant in the industrialized nations that it has prompted the observation that the environmental tail is wagging the operational dog. This statement is based on the observation that emission limits for EAFs sometimes are not based on what is harmful to the environment but rather “how low can we go” with control technology, or even “can we detect that species?”. In North America the focus of environmental attention for the steel industry is primarily on air pollution issues, with water discharge and solid waste disposal in less prominent positions. The overall trend is towards reduced emissions and faster melting. European data confirm the general trend toward reduced dust emissions over the twenty-year. The steel industry is assumed to follow the same trend as general industry. In our experience, the initial significant gains were due to the installation of adequate emission control equipment. However, the gains after 1980 rely period from 1970 to 1990. more and more heavily on efficient steelmaking.

As we help our clients improve their melting processes, we see them reduce their emissions of gas and dust from their Electric Arc Furnaces (EAFs). Some clients also opt for spray tower technology on their Direct Evacuation Control (DEC) systems, which can bring them to a zero wastewater discharge status. These solutions lead to more production at reduced costs. The connection between environmental control and operations has become so dominant in the industrialized nations that it has prompted the observation that the environmental tail is wagging the operational dog. This statement is based on the observation that emission limits for EAFs sometimes are not based on what is harmful to the environment but rather “how low can we go” with control technology, or even “can we detect that species?”. In North America the focus of environmental attention for the steel industry is primarily on air pollution issues, with water discharge and solid waste disposal in less prominent positions. The overall trend is towards reduced emissions and faster melting. European data confirm the general trend toward reduced dust emissions over the twenty-year. The steel industry is assumed to follow the same trend as general industry. In our experience, the initial significant gains were due to the installation of adequate emission control equipment. However, the gains after 1980 rely period from 1970 to 1990. more and more heavily on efficient steelmaking.

Keywords

Electric arc furnace steelmaking; Environment.

Electric arc furnace steelmaking; Environment.