Waste-to-Energy Plants Producing Steel as a By-Product: The Future of Steel Mills?
Last week, I had the privilege of presenting at the Circularity in Metallurgy Conference organized by the Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia in the picturesque city of Bergamo, Italy. Standing in what might be the most beautiful conference room in Europe, I shared insights on an exciting and vital topic: the role of advanced technologies in revolutionizing steel production and supporting a circular economy.
Steelmaking is at the forefront of the transition to sustainable industrial practices, but it’s no easy feat. Concepts like recycling, upcycling, and downcycling are integral to achieving circularity, yet they pose unique challenges, particularly when managing slag in electric steelmaking. With increasingly complex and volatile material streams being introduced, maintaining control over slag composition has never been more critical.
Slag, a by-product of steelmaking, is an essential part of the process, but deviations in its chemistry can impact both operational efficiency and steel quality. To tackle this, steelmakers need precise, adaptable, and real-time analytical tools to respond swiftly to changes in slag composition.
During my presentation, I highlighted the cutting-edge solution that is reshaping slag management in steelworks:
Laser Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES): This technology provides in-situ analytics, enabling steelmakers to monitor and adjust slag composition in real time. Already adopted at multiple sites across Europe, it supports the precise definition of recycling dusts and other feedstock materials, leading to improved process control.
The potential for slag doesn’t end with steel production. With advancements in post-steelmaking treatments, slag can be transformed into a valuable resource for other industries, contributing to the circular economy and reducing waste. These technologies open doors to innovations that help steelworks operate more sustainably and efficiently.
In the evolving landscape of steelmaking, producing high-quality steel will remain the core focus of steel mills. However, the shift from treating slag as mere waste to transforming it into a valuable by-product offers a glimpse into the future of the industry.
Advanced tools like Laser-OES empower steelmakers to navigate the increasing complexities of slag management, particularly as the industry incorporates more secondary and lower-quality input materials. These technologies not only enhance process control but also help reduce environmental impacts, paving the way for a more circular and sustainable approach to steel production.
Sharing these insights at the Circularity in Metallurgy Conference in Bergamo was an incredible experience. It was an honor to exchange ideas with global experts and collectively envision the future of sustainable steelmaking. Together, we are forging the path toward innovation and environmental responsibility.
For details about the conference, visit the www.aimnet.it/circmet.
The conference Programm: https://www.aimnet.it/public/Eventi/17080993056654.pdf
Questions? alexander.schlemminger@quantolux.de