Emissions reduction through analysis, modelling and control

The main objectives of ERAMAC were to: - develop methods for the characterisation of organic emissions from coke-making and EAF steelmaking processes; - characterise air quality in the vicinity of steelworks; - identify priorities for emission control; - develop predictive emission monitoring systems (PEMS) for CO, NOx and S02 emissions in coke making, of pollutant emissions in EAF steelmaking and for improved control of reheating furnaces; - investigate the use of an Amazone contactor for removal of S02 and NOx in sintering emissions. The methods developed and applied to characterise organic emissions from coke plants revealed that fugitive emissions from coke oven doors and from by-products plant storage tanks were the main priorities for improved control measures. For ambient air monitoring, an Opsis differential optical absorption spectrometry system was used to carry out real-time measurements of benzene, toluene and xylene for reverse dispersion modelling estimates of releases. Predictive emission monitoring systems (PEMS) were developed for the measurement of CO, NOx and S02 emissions in coke making and for predicting organic emissions from EAF steelmaking. Although PEMS were shown to be potentially useful for improving the control of reheating furnaces, implementation requires individual control of air/fuel flows to burners. The Amazone contactor was inadequate for the desulphurisation of sinter waste gas owing to massive evaporation losses of glycerol and the consequent fire risk. However, partial waste gas denitrification was feasible at low temperatures with ozone as an oxidant and aqueous sodium hydroxide as an absorbent. Strong recommendations are made for further work to implement and enhance techniques developed in ERAMAC.