ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih reconstructed half of the sintering machines of the second sinter plant
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih completed the reconstruction of sinter machine No. 4 in October, starting hot tests on it. Earlier, in 2015–2017, sinter machines No. 5 and 6 were updated. In December this year, work on sinter machine No. 1 will start. By the end of 2021, the enterprise plans to complete the environmental modernization of the second sinter plant, investments in which are estimated at $ 170 million. Dust emissions from each of the six sintering machines will be reduced by 250 tonnes per year - a cumulative reduction of around 1,500 tonnes per year.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih's strategy to reduce its environmental impact covers all major types of production - mining, coke-chemical, steel-making, rolling and sintering. The latter is of key importance, since it accounts for about 75% of all plant emissions. In addition to the phased closure of two sinter shops with high wear and tear, the company intends to build a pelletizing plant for the production of 4.5–5 million tons of pellets per year (the volume of investments is about $ 350 million). Another key investment project in the agglomeration is the reconstruction of the second sinter plant.
This year, sintering machine No. 4, as before on sinter machines No. 5 and 6, has a new installation for gas cleaning from the sintering zone - a modern efficient electrostatic precipitator from FLSmidth (Denmark). Plus, a new aspiration system for the tailings of sintering machines No. 4 and 3 was built - an electrostatic precipitator from FLSmidth was also installed here. In addition, the sintering trolleys were replaced with the possibility of increasing the charge layer up to 450 mm, the main units of the linear cooler, the gas manifold with an automatic dust discharge unit through new two-valve gates, and a new spill conveyor. A new incendiary horn with a modern energy-efficient ignition system was also installed, due to which it was possible to reduce the consumption of natural eider from 450 to 320-350 cubic meters per hour.
As a result, the car was brought to its design capacity. At the same time, dust emissions will not exceed 50 milligrams per cubic meter, which is extremely important for compliance with the standards established by the state. Now the enterprise is conducting hot tests of the entire complex of sintering machine No. 4.
In parallel, the reconstruction of the sintering machine complex No. 1 has already begun. Structures and equipment for an electrostatic precipitator by Ekoplant (Italy) are being installed from the sintering machine zone. In addition, a large-scale assembly and installation of structures for an electric filter for aspiration from the tail parts of sinter machines No. 1 and 2 is underway. The shutdown of the first sinter machine for reconstruction is scheduled for November.
In addition, the hot and cold return feed path is being renewed at the second sinter plant. Instead of return extinguishing drums, new plate conveyors were installed. A new bag filter was also installed and commissioned was carried out. The passport of the gas cleaning plant has been received.
Dmitry Shcherbak, Head of Projects and Programs of the Investment and Engineering Department of ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih:
- The reconstruction project was approved by the board of directors of ArcelorMittal in 2013 and since then the work has been carried out continuously with the support of the management of our company. Despite the fact that sinter machine No. 4 is already the third reconstructed unit, we continue to improve design solutions, work on errors and improve our performance. This project involves a large circle of specialists from the departments for investment and engineering, sinter blast furnace, environmental protection and technical management. We intend to complete the reconstruction of all six sintering machines by the end of 2021.