LRTAP TFHM meeting Vienna 6-8 June 2007 “ Tor Faerden Senior Adviser Norwegian Pollution Control...

LRTAP TFHM meeting Vienna 6-8 June 2007

“

Tor FaerdenSenior AdviserNorwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT)

Reduction of Mercury Emissions from Manganese Industry

and Secondary Steel Industry


The Norwegian goal for reduced emissions of mercury

Compared with 1995, the emissions

shall be significantly reduced by 2010.


Emission and Deposition of Mercury in Norway

0

0,5

1

1,5

2

2,5

3

LRTB contribution Norwegian

emissions to air


Reduced Hg emissions from the Manganese Industry

2 manganese smelters formerly used ore from Australia and South Africa.

In 1999 the smelters were bought by a corporation which also is the owner of a mine in Gabon.

Change to ore from Gabon would increase mercury emissions from 10 to 600-1000 kg per year.

The smelters were instructed to apply for a pollution permit for Hg


A permit was issued by SFT, allowing the two smelters to emit 36 and 15 kg mercury per year.

The alternative routes for the smelters:

1 To use ore from competitors2 To install gas cleaning equipment

The company decided to go for alternative 2


The challenges:

• No proven technology was available• The waste gas is explosive

The way ahead:

4 possible suppliers carried out pilot tests at one of the plants to demonstrate possible technologies and to monitor cleaning efficiency.


Manganese smelters Simplified flow sheet for waste gas

Smeltingfurnace

Wet scrubber

WetESP

Hgadsorber

CO gas to consumer

HgDust and PAH

Dust


The result:

Installation of full scale gas cleaning facilities were completed in 2001/2002.

Investment per smelter: 5 mill EUR

Cleaning efficiency Hg > 99 %

Dust emission < 1 mg/Nm3

Other heavy metals: Low emissions


The secondary steel plant

Product: Reinforcing bars

Capacity: 700 000 tons per year (medium-sized secondary steel plant)

Hg emission: 120-150 kg per year Raw material: Steel scrap of low / medium quality, contaminated with heavy metals from surface treatment or from components previously connected to the steel

Steel scrap: 750 000 tons per year. 50 % is imported


Hg-contamination of steel scrap:

Hg in electrical componentsconnected to steel constructionsin used carsin instruments and electronic

equipmentin various consumer goods

Hg in chemicals used for anti-fouling of steel

A volume of Hg similar to 1 matchbox mixed into 2 000 tons of scrap per day is equal to 150 kg per year


Testwork done by the steel plant:

Test smelting combined with monitoring of Hg in waste gas with

- Selected types of scrap- Scrap from selected suppliers

Main conclusion:

The only way of achieving significant reduction of Hg emissions is through waste gas cleaning


The steel process


The challenges:

- Significant short term variations in concentration of dust, Hg and other heavy metals- No proven technology available

The way ahead:

A number of possible suppliers of gas cleaning technology were invited to make pilot scale tests and to monitor cleaning efficiency


Test result:

Possible future emission limit value:

30 kg per year

Also stricter limit values for dust and other heavy metals

Probably possible to clean 95 % of Hg in primary waste gas and 85 % of total emissions from the furnace


Decision on new emission limit values has been postponed until similar restrictions are given to other steel companies in EU.

Arguments:

• Investment (6 mill EUR) and operating cost (1 mill EUR/year) would weaken the competitive strength

of the company

• Unfair to place this burden on a single company within the steel industry since the problem is global and not local


News in 2006/2007

The steel plant has been sold to Celsa Group, Spain.

The new owner has decided to convert the steel process to the CONSTEEL process (preheating and continuous charging of scrap into the electric steel furnace). Investment 20 mill EUR

Environmenal adventage:Easier to collect and treat all waste gas

The company has applied for a new pollution permit where treatment of Hg and improved treatment of dust will be included.


Future recommendations on the international level:

• It is recommended that emissions of Hg from the steel industry should be examined closely.

• Steps should be taken to regulate Hg emissions from relevant industries.

LRTAP TFHM meeting Vienna 6-8 June 2007 “ Tor Faerden Senior Adviser Norwegian Pollution Control...

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