Treatment of Hazardous Waste by Carbon Dioxide Capture from an Electric Arc Furnace

Abstract

The steel industry is important for the development of several economic activities in the world. Unfortunately, the electric arc furnace (EAF) used in production generates byproducts such as dust, which must be treated and confined to prevent pollution. In this study, the alkaline properties of solutions prepared with EAF dust were evaluated for use in CO2 capture. A process in which dust solution properties are regarded as an advantage is proposed. The results indicate that the developed process effectively minimizes operational problems. Specifically, the process neutralizes several hazardous pollutants contained in EAF dust, reduces CO2 emissions, and directly removes dioxin-forming dust from the exit gas stream.KEY WORDS: CO2 capture; steelmaking industry; electric arc furnace dust.