ArcelorMittal: New environment protection technology at the Steel Melting Shop

A sludge drying and retention station at the Steel Melting Shop, aimed at protecting the environment, reducing the consumption of raw materials and water was commissioned and passed the final tests.

2015-04-24 11:57:55

The state-of-the-art technology, amounting EUR 1.8 Millions, will allow the company to reintroduce in production at least 26,000 tonnes of dry sludge per year, as raw material and reduce the water consumption by 400 cube meters per hour. The project was done in collaboration with Nalco company, which will operate the equipment and process.

"This investment brings a positive impact on the environment, allowing us, at the same time, to reduce the plant costs, by increasing our economic efficiency", said Bruno Ribo, Chief Executive Officer of ArcelorMittal Galati. "The new technology recycles the sludge, reintroducing it into the production process, and,-thus-reducing the consumption of raw materials and water. This way, the Plant continues its commitment to increase efficiency of its operations and the competiveness of the business, as part of the Transformation Programme ARC 2015+."

The new equipment reduces the solid suspensions from the water evacuated in Malina Pond, recovers the sludge resulted from the gas purification process and uses it as a by-product in the sintering process. Given the fact that the sludge contains 45 per cent iron, the sludge retention station reduces the iron ore consumption, while also allowing the second use of the water obtained from the sludge retaining process. At the same time, given the equipment's placement near the purification tanks, the fuel consumption, necessary for the sludge transport, would be reduced.

ArcelorMittal is the world leading steel and mining company, with a presence in 60 countries and an industrial footprint in 19 countries. Guided by a philosophy to produce safe, sustainable steel, we are the leading supplier of quality steel in the major global steel markets including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with world-class research and development and outstanding distribution networks.