Editors: | F. Kongoli, T. Usui, R.A. Vilela, J. A. de Castro, W. F. Santos, J. Poveromo, GS. Mahobia, B. Deo |
Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
Publication Year: | 2023 |
Pages: | 441 pages |
ISBN: | 978-1-989820-72-8 (CD) |
ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
Brazil is one of the largest steel producers in the world, occupying the ninth position in the world ranking, with 1.8% of all world production (WORLD STEEL ASSOCIATION, 2022). The Brazilian production of crude steel in the year 2022 consumed around 34.1 million tons, 23.75% of which was produced using the electric melt shop method (INSTITUTO AÇO BRASIL, 2022). The increasing production of steel results in an increase in waste generation, since slag and PAE have fundamental functions in the steel manufacturing process, in order to guarantee good quality to the final product. These two by-products were considered of little or no value to the industry, and with the increase in production and the need for possible alternatives, adding value to these residues became necessary for the development of new markets. Electric melt shop dust (EAP) is generated during electric arc furnace (EAF) operation as a by-product of steel making. The high temperature used in the process for melting and refining the raw material (~1600°C) causes volatile elements, such as zinc, to volatilize and subsequently oxidize inside the furnace, producing metallic oxides in the form of particulate matter. Non-volatile elements, slag and additives, can be ejected from the liquid/gas interface by exploding carbon monoxide bubbles. Then, these can be oxidized and dragged by the gases generated in the process, being collected as dust in the dedusting system, normally through bag filters. Under such conditions, the various metal oxides can combine to form different compounds. As a result of these factors, the EAP undergoes a series of physical and chemical phenomena by which substances that give rise to the EAF powder are considered (PICKLES; MARZOUGHI, 2018; HOSSEINI et al., 2016).