Ruukki Reports A Signficant Decrease in Emissions at Its Raahe Works
02/13/2013 - Process changes and the replacement of dust removal devices significantly reduced particulate emissions in 2012 at Ruukki’s Raahe Works in Finland, in line with company targets to reduce emissions by over 80% compared to 2011.
Process changes and the replacement of dust removal devices significantly reduced particulate emissions in 2012 at Ruukki’s Raahe Works in Finland, in line with company targets to reduce emissions by over 80% compared to 2011.
The decrease in emissions was especially attributable to the changeover to pellets as feedstock, the related closure of the sinter plant and replacement of the dust removal devices in the blast furnaces at the steel mill. In addition, the closed cooling water circulation system in blast furnace slag granulation has considerably reduced the discharge of suspended solids into the sea.
"Regular emissions measurements indicate the fall we sought in particulate emissions in all measurement results," said Pirjo Lerssi, environmental manager at the Raahe Works.
Particulate emissions at the works have decreased by almost 84% since 2011. Modernization of the dust removal devices in the blast furnaces reduced their particulate emissions by 68% compared to previous years. Switching over to the use of iron pellets has reduced the processing of dispersoids. This in turn has resulted in a decrease of 16% in fugitive dust emissions. Dust contains heavy metal particles, which decrease as dust decreases. Emissions of sulfur dioxide into the air were just a quarter of what they were in 2011. In practice, hydrogen sulfide emissions have also been practically eliminated. Likewise, carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by around a further 10%.
"Everyone at the works is delighted that our efforts for the good of the environment and the works environs have had such a notable impact," Pirjo Lerssi added.
Ruukki has been actively working to reduce emissions at the steel mill by investing in environmental technology and by improving production processes. Ruukki's steel production already ranked higher than the European average in terms of carbon dioxide efficiency. In addition, both blast furnaces at the works have for years ranked among the most energy efficient in Europe.
Ruukki continues to work on eco-efficiency at the Raahe steel mill. Work is currently under way on a dust removal system at the steel plant to collect fugitive dust emissions. The system is expected to reduce fugitive dust emissions and to further improve the air quality in the environs of the works.
Finland’s Ruukki provides its customers with energy-efficient steel solutions for better living, working and moving. Ruukki operates in some 30 countries and employs around 9,000 people. Net sales in 2011 totaled €2.8 billion.
