ArcelorMittal Poland Harnessing Waste Heat from Dabrowska Steelworks
In a remarkable display of energy conservation, ArcelorMittal Poland has initiated a groundbreaking project to enhance energy efficiency at the Dabrowa Górnicza steelworks. The company aims to harness the energy from waste gases emitted by blast furnace no. 2 and repurpose it within its installations. This transformative investment will not only curtail the consumption of natural gas and coke but, more significantly, mitigate CO2 emissions by approximately 56,000 metric tons per year.
As part of the comprehensive modernization of blast furnace no. 2, valued at over PLN 720 million, ArcelorMittal Poland has seized the opportunity to commence a pivotal undertaking, the installation of specialized heat exchangers that will enable the recovery of waste heat generated during the blast furnace's heating process.
Currently, the heating of the blast furnace is facilitated by four heaters utilizing blast furnace gas and nominal amounts of coke oven gas. The resulting waste gases reach temperatures of up to 350°C, dissipating their heat potential. To salvage a portion of this valuable energy, ArcelorMittal Poland plans to install dedicated heat exchangers, weighing around 230 metric tons, that will recover and redirect the heat. This innovative solution will elevate the temperature of the hot blow to an impressive 1200°C!
The envisioned benefits of this investment are substantial, including a reduction in natural gas consumption by 140 GWh per year and a decrease in coke consumption within the blast furnace by approximately 10 thousand tonnes per year. Most notably, the project will curtail CO2emissions by roughly 56,000 metric tons annually, a feat akin to neutralizing the emission of over 11,000 trees.
Similar heat recovery systems have already demonstrated success at ArcelorMittal's steelworks in Tubarao, Brazil, and Taranto, Italy. For the implementation of this endeavor in Poland, ArcelorMittal has entrusted E.ON Polska with the task.
Mr. Grzegorz Maracha, Managing Director of the Raw Materials Division at ArcelorMittal Poland, highlights the significance of this ambitious modernization project. "The current modernization of blast furnace no. 2 is a groundbreaking endeavor, both in terms of its extensive scope and budget. As part of this modernization, we are introducing solutions that will facilitate the implementation of a heat recovery project," he explains. Maracha underscores the vital role of this investment in enhancing energy efficiency, ensuring a secure energy supply, and bolstering the competitiveness of the company.
The first stage of the investment entails the installation of connections to the heat exchangers on gas and air pipelines. The subsequent phase will witness the installation and integration of the heat exchangers within blast furnace no. 2's operations.
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