7TH EUROPEAN COKE AND IRONMAKING CONGRESS - ECIC 2016

Iron ore sintering is a material preparation process used world-wide in the production of iron and steel. Because of the very large quantities of iron ore processed and the large volume throughput of air involved, sintering is a major point source of toxic emissions and also CO2 into the atmosphere. Waste gases from sintering also contain varying quantities of acidic species, dust and dioxin pollutants. As legislated limits become increasingly more stringent, sinter plants are under scrutiny by local authorities to further decrease emission levels. Extensive efforts have been made in mitigating CO2 and toxic emissions from sinter plants since 1980-90 and a number of different technologies are now available. However, most of these technologies are secondary measures which take affect only after emissions are formed, adding to the complexity of the operations. This paper will first examine the emission characteristics of CO2 and various toxic species, including SOX, NOX, dioxins and particulate matter, and then review the mitigation technologies available for preventing and reducing the formation of these toxic species in the sintering bed.