SMS Demag technology for zero-waste steel production

Abstract

Increased landfill costs for steel mill waste residues, stricter environmental regulations and decreasing public acceptance of waste dumping is driving the iron and steel industry to apply environmentally balanced solutions on site. The rotary hearth furnace based technologies fulfill the requirements of zero-waste steelmaking. Basically they allow the treatment of all accumulated steel mill waste under the avoidance of negative side effects on the steel quality and plant productivity with minimized overall steel plant emissions. This paper reflects possible waste recycling principles: Rotary hearth furnace (RHF), RedSmelt and cold briquetting technology. In addition, SMS Demag is currently commissioning a pilot facility applying a combination of a rotary hearth furnace with a coal-oxygen based smelter (RedSmelt NST) at Lucchini in Piombino/Italy. If results meet our expectations, this process too could become an attractive solution for steel mill waste recycling.