Novolipetsk Metallurgical Plant, a NLMK Group company, has launched a waterless blast furnace slag cooling system as part of the environmental modernization program, which will reduce the emission of hydrogen sulphide by 3.5 times and minimize the odor from this chemical compound.
With the implementation of the complex, NLMK's first blast furnace shop (three blast furnaces) will completely switch to the technology of dry slag cooling. The complex was built on the site of a slag dump accumulated since the 70s of the last century. Within the framework of the project, almost 6 million tons of various materials were processed and more than 300 thousand tons of iron were recovered, which was reused in steel production.
Previously, water was used to cool the blast furnace slag. The reaction of hot slag with water leads to the release of hydrogen sulfide - a chemical compound with a specific odor that can appear even at a concentration of the substance below the standard. The new complex makes it possible to completely eliminate the use of water. Modern excavators capable of operating at high temperatures and with increased productivity will be used for technological operations of development and loading of slag.
Investments in the project amounted to more than 2 billion rubles.
“We continue to work on reducing environmental impact with a focus on areas that are most relevant to residents of Lipetsk. The construction of the new complex will reduce emissions and minimize the odor of hydrogen sulfide at the site and in the surrounding area of the city, "commented Vyacheslav Vorotnikov, NLMK Managing Director.
The average monthly concentration of hydrogen sulfide at the border of NLMK's sanitary protection zone is significantly below the standard and is approximately 30-40% of the maximum permissible concentration * - the level of safe concentration of the substance at which there is no harm to humans and the environment.
* According to the measurements of the independent federal laboratory "Center for laboratory analysis and technical measurements at the central Federal District "for the period from 01.11.19 to 30.09.20.
Information about NLMK Group
NLMK Group is a vertically integrated metallurgical the company, the largest in Russia and one of the world's most efficient manufacturers of steel products.
NLMK Group's metal products are used in various industries, from construction and mechanical engineering to energy equipment and offshore wind turbines.
NLMK's production assets are located in Russia, Europe and the United States. The company's steel production capacity exceeds 17 million tonnes per year.
NLMK demonstrates high cost competitiveness among global manufacturers, and the company's profitability is one of the highest in the industry. The company's revenue for 2019 was $ 10.6 billion, EBITDA - $ 2.6 billion. The Net Debt /EBITDA ratio was 0.7x. The company has investment grade credit ratings from S&P, Moody's, Fitch and RAEX (Expert RA).
NLMK's common shares, which have free-float of 18.6%, are traded on the Moscow Stock Exchange (ticker “NLMK”), global depository shares - on the London Stock Exchange (ticker “NLMK: LI”). The share capital of the Company is divided into 5,993,227,240 ordinary shares with a par value of 1 Russian ruble. More information about NLMK's share capital can be found here.
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