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Content archived on 2022-11-21

An investigation of cyanide emissions from blast furnaces, during daily operation and blow down

Objective

The emission of cyanides in blast furnace, in daily operation and during rundowns constitutes one of the least understood pollutions in iron and steel manufacturing. In recent years it has been blamed for high pollution in the aquatic environment.

The objective of the research is to determine the causes of cyanides emissions and to formulate recommendations with a view to limiting them and neutralizing them under the best conditions.

Cyanide pollution of blast furnace gas wash waters is one of the sources of pollution of most concern in iron and steel manufacture. It is necessary to differentiate between intermittent pollution which takes place during daily operation during variations in operation and that which, more systematically, is encountered at the time of blow down for remote gunning or repair.

Very little data is at present available regarding the mechanisms of formation of cyanides during daily operation, or regarding the size and the exact nature of the pollution loads (definitely cyanides, but also ammonia, sulphur and phenols) involved in blow down. This data is essential in order to carry out effectively the treatment of the (wash) waters, both in terms of the standard of the measurement and monitoring of the pollution load as well as the continuous metering of the chemicals used in the treatment.

CRM have tackled the problem and provided several guidelines following the investigation of an operating period of 6 months followed by a blow down of a blast furnace with a 10 metre diameter hearth. There is a good reason for continuing with the investigations along these lines in order to better define the parameters, to better understand the nature of the operational events which are responsible, and to identify further the nature and extent of the pollution involved.

Our research proposal is in line with this preoccupation. It is coordinated with and complements the research proposal of CEBEDEAU/IRH:

Optimized operation of the formaldehyde treatment for the removal of cyanide from blast furnace gas wash waters.

Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

Centre de Recherches Metallurgiques
EU contribution
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Address
11 rue Ernest Solvay
4000 Liege
Belgium

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Total cost
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