Improvement of environmental performance of integrated steel sector through process integration & optimisation measures and innovative waste management practices

Abstract

The metallurgical and mineral processing industries are always known to be major contributors to environmental pollution. Amongst them, the iron & steel sector finds predominance simply because of the significant volume of effluents, emissions and solid wastes generated from the various process streams. Over the last decade efforts have been made to reduce cnvironmetital pollution from the integrated steel sector through various process integration and optimisation measures as well as cleaner technology development. In addition, a large number of innovations in waste management have resulted in implementation of integrated waste management plans in the steel sector as well as development of ninny value-added products. This paper takes an overview of some of these developments that have contributed significantly to improved environmental performance of the integrated steel sector in India.