Eferrous Metal

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DIRECTORATE-GENERAL JRC
JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (Seville)
Technologies for Sustainable Development
European IPPC Bureau
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)
Reference Document on
Best Available Techniques in the Ferrous Metals Processing
Industry
October 2000
World Trade Center, Isla de la Cartuja s/n, E-41092 Seville – Spain

Telephone: direct line (+34-95) 4488-258, switchboard 4488-318. Fax: 4488-426.
Internet: http://eippcb.jrc.es
Executive Summary
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This Reference Document on best available techniques in ferrous metals processing reflects an
information exchange carried out according to Article 16(2) of Council Directive 96/61/EC. The
document has to be seen in the light of the preface which describes the objectives of the
document and its use.
This BREF document consists of 4 Parts (A – D). Parts A to C cover the different industrial
sub-sectors of the Ferrous Metals Processing sector: A, Hot and Cold Forming; B, Continuous
Coating; C, Batch Galvanizing. This structure was chosen because of the differences in nature
and scale of the activities covered by the term FMP.
Part D does not cover an industrial sub-sector. It comprises the technical descriptions of a
number of environmental measures which are techniques to be considered in the determination
of BAT in more than one sub-sector. This was done to avoid repetition of technical descriptions
in the three Chapters 4. These descriptions have to be viewed always in connection with the
more specific information, referring to the application in individual sub-sectors, which is given
in the relevant Chapter 4.
Part A: Hot and Cold Forming
The hot and cold forming part of the ferrous metal processing sector comprises different
manufacturing methods, such as hot rolling, cold rolling and drawing of steel. A great variety of
semi-finished and finished products with different lines of production is manufactured. Products
are: hot and cold rolled flats, hot rolled long products, drawn long products, tubes and wire.
Hot Rolling
In hot rolling the size, shape and metallurgical properties of steel are changed by repeatedly
compressing the hot metal (temperature ranging from 1050 to 1300 Co) between electrically
powered rollers. The steel input for hot rolling varies in form and shape - cast ingots, slabs,
blooms, billets, beam blanks - depending on the product to be manufactured. Products obtained
from hot rolling are usually classified in two basic types according to their shape: flat and long
products.
Total EU production in 1996 of hot rolled (HR) products was 127.8 million tonnes of which
flats accounted for 79.2 million tonnes (ca. 62%) [Stat97]. Germany is the largest manufacturer
of the flats, with 22.6 million tonnes followed by France with 10.7 million tonnes, Belgium 9.9
million tonnes, Italy 9.7 million tonnes and UK 8.6 million tonnes. The vast majority of HR flat
products is wide strip.
The remaining 38 % of HR products are long products with about 48.5 million tonnes in 1996.
The two major manufacturing countries are Italy with about 11.5 million tonnes and Germany
with 10.3 million tonnes; followed by UK (7 million tonnes) and Spain (6.8 million tonnes).
The largest part of the long products sector in tonnage terms is the production of wire rod which
stands for roughly a third of the total production followed by reinforcing bars and merchant bars
with an approximate share of one quarter of the production each.
In steel tube manufacture, the EU, which produced 11.8 million tonnes in 1996, (20.9 % of total
world production) is the largest producer followed by Japan and the U.S. The European steel
tube industry has a highly concentrated structure. Five countries – Germany (3.2 million
tonnes), Italy (3.2 million tonnes), France (1.4 million tonnes), United Kingdom (1.3 million
tonnes) and Spain (0.9 million tonnes) - account for roughly 90 % of total EU production. In
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 i

Executive Summary
some countries, a single company can account for 50 % or more of the national output. In
addition to the major integrated steel tube manufacturers (mainly producing welded tubes),
there are a relatively large number of small and medium-sized firms that are independent. Some
manufacturers, often small in tonnage terms, operating in high value-added markets, concentrate
on the manufacture of special dimensions and grades of tubes according to particular customer
specifications.
Hot rolling mills usually comprise the following process steps: conditioning of the input
(scarfing, grinding); heating to rolling temperature; descaling; rolling (roughing including width
reduction, rolling to final dimension and properties) and finishing (trimming, slitting, cutting).
They are classified by the type of product that they produce and by their design features:
blooming and slabbing mills, hot strip mills, plate mills, bar and rod mills, structural and section
mills and tube mills.
The main environmental issues of hot rolling are emissions to air, especially NOx and SOx; the
energy consumption of furnaces; (fugitive) dust emissions from product handling, rolling or
mechanical surface treatment; oil- and solid-containing effluents and oil-containing wastes.
For NOx emissions of reheating and heat treatment furnaces, industry reported concentrations
of 200 – 700 mg/Nm³ and specific emissions of 80 – 360 g/t; while other sources reported up to
900 mg/Nm3 and – with combustion air preheating of up to 1000 oC – of up to more than
5000 mg/Nm³. SO2 emissions from furnaces depend on the fuel used; ranges were reported
from 0.6 – 1700 mg/Nm³ and 0.3 – 600 g/t. The scattering of energy consumption for these
furnaces was 0.7 to 6.5 GJ/t; with a typical range being 1 – 3 GJ/t.
As for dust emissions from product handling, rolling or mechanical surface treatment, very few
data were submitted referring to the individual processes. The concentration ranges reported
were:
· Scarfing: 5 – 115 mg/Nm³

· Grinding: < 30 – 100 mg/Nm³
· Mill stands: 2 – 50 mg/Nm³ and
· Coil handling: approximately 50 mg/Nm³ .
Emissions to water from hot rolling basically comprise oil- and solid-containing effluents in the
range of 5 to 200 mg/l total suspended solids and 0.2 – 10 mg/l hydrocarbons. Oil-containing
wastes from waste water treatment were reported ranging from 0.4 – 36 kg/t depending on the
mill type.
For more details and for emission and consumption data for other process steps of hot rolling,
refer to Chapter A.3 where the available data are presented with qualifying information.
The key findings regarding BAT for individual process steps and different environmental issues
of hot rolling are summarized in Table 1. All emission figures are expressed as daily mean
values. Emissions to air are based on standard conditions of 273 K, 101.3 kPa and dry gas.
Discharges to water are indicated as daily mean value of a flow-rate-related 24-hour composite
sample or a flow-rate-related composite sample over the actual operating time (for plants not
operated in three shifts).
There was consensus in the TWG on the best available techniques and associated
emission/consumption levels presented in the table, except where a ‘split view’ is explicitly
recorded.
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Executive Summary
Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

consumption levels /
Split views on associated levels
Storing and handling of raw materials and auxiliaries
· Collection of spillages and leakages by suitable measures,
e.g. safety pits and drainage.
· Separation of oil from the contaminated drainage water
and reuse of recovered oil.
· Treatment of separated water in the water treatment plant.
Machine scarfing
· Enclosures for machine scarfing and dust abatement with split view on dust level:
fabric filters. < 5 mg/Nm³
< 20 mg/Nm³
· Electrostatic precipitator, where fabric filters cannot be split view on dust level:
operated because of very wet fume. < 10 mg/Nm³
20 - 50 mg/Nm³
· Separate collection of scale/swarf from scarfing.
Grinding
· Enclosures for machine grinding and dedicated booths, split view on dust level:
equipped with collection hoods for manual grinding and < 5 mg/Nm³
dust abatement by fabric filters. < 20 mg/Nm³
All surface rectification processes
· Treatment and reuse of water from all surface rectification
processes (separation of solids).
· Internal recycling or sale for recycling of scale, swarf and
dust.
Table 1: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for hot rolling
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Executive Summary

Re-heating and heat treatment furnaces
· General measures, e.g. regarding furnace design or
operation & maintenance, as described in chapter A.4.1.3.1.
· Avoiding excess air and heat loss during charging by
operational measures (minimum door opening necessary
for charging) or structural means (installation of multi-
segmented doors for tighter closure).
· Careful choice of fuel and implementation of furnace
automation/control to optimise the firing conditions. SO2 levels:
- for natural gas < 100 mg/Nm3
- for all other gases and gas mixtures < 400 mg/Nm3
- for fuel oil (< 1 % S) up to 1700 mg/Nm³
Split view:
· limitation of sulphur content in fuel to < 1 % is BAT
· lower S limit or additional SO2 reduction measures is BAT
· Recovery of heat in the waste gas by feedstock pre-heating
· Recovery of heat in the waste gas by regenerative or Energy savings 25 - 50 % and
recuperative burner systems NOx reductions potentials of up
to 50 % (depending on system).
· Recovery of heat in the waste gas by waste heat boiler or
evaporative skid cooling (where there is a need for steam)
· Second generation low-NOx burners NOx 250 - 400 mg/Nm³ (3% O2)
without air pre-heating reported
NOx reduction potential of about
65 % compared to conventional.
· Limiting the air pre-heating temperature.
Trade-off energy saving vs. NOx emission:
Advantages of reduced energy consumption and reductions
in SO2, CO2 and CO have to be weighed against the
disadvantage of potentially increased emissions of NOx
Split view: achieved levels 1:
· SCR and SNCR are BAT SCR: NOx < 320 mg/Nm3
SNCR: NOx < 205 mg/Nm³ ,
ammonia slip 5 mg/Nm3
· Not enough information to decide whether or not
SCR/SNCR are BAT
· Reduction of heat loss in intermediate products; by
minimizing the storage time and by insulating the
slabs/blooms (heat conservation box or thermal covers)
depending on production layout.
· Change of logistic and intermediate storage to allow for a
maximum rate of hot charging, direct charging or direct
rolling (the maximum rate depends on production schemes
and product quality).
· For new plants, near-net-shape casting and thin slab
casting, as far as the product to be rolled can be produced
by this technique.
1
These are emission levels reported for the one existing SCR plant (walking beam furnace) and the one existing SNCR
plant (walking beam furnace).
Table 1 continued: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for
hot rolling
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Executive Summary

Descaling
· Material tracking to reduce water and energy
consumption.
Transport of rolled stock
· Reduce unwanted energy loss by coil boxes or coil
recovery furnaces and heat shields for transfer bars
Finishing train
· Water sprays followed by waste water treatment in which
the solids (iron oxides) are separated and collected for
reuse of iron content.
· Exhaust systems with treatment of extracted air by fabric split view on dust level:
filters and recycling of collected dust. < 5 mg/Nm³
< 20 mg/Nm³
Levelling and welding
· Suction hoods and subsequent abatement by fabric filters split view on dust level:
< 5 mg/Nm³
< 20 mg/Nm³
Cooling (machines etc.)
· Separate cooling water systems operating in closed loops
Waste water treatment/ scale- and oil-containing process water
· Operating closed loops with recirculating rates of > 95 %
· Reduction of emissions by using a suitable combination of SS: < 20 mg/l
treatment techniques (described in detail in Chapters Oil: < 5 mg/l (1)
A.4.1.12.2 and D.10.1). Fe: < 10 mg/l
Crtot: < 0.2 mg/l (2)
Ni: < 0.2 mg/l (2)
Zn: < 2 mg/l
· Recirculation of mill scale collected in water treatment to
the metallurgical process
· Oily waste/sludge collected should be de-watered to allow
for thermal utilisation or safe disposal.
Prevention of hydrocarbon contamination
· Preventive periodic checks and preventive maintenance of
seals, gaskets, pumps and pipelines.
· Use of bearings and bearing seals of modern design for Reduction in oil consumption by
work- and back-up rolls, installation of leakage indicators 50-70 %.
in the lubricant lines (e.g. at hydrostatic bearings).
· Collection and treatment of contaminated drainage water

at the various consumers (hydraulic aggregates), separation
and use of oil fraction, e.g. thermal utilisation by blast
furnace injection. Further processing of the separated water
either in the water treatment plant or in dressing plants with
ultra filtration or vacuum evaporator.
1
oil based on random measurements
2
0.5 mg/l for plants using stainless steel
hot rolling
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Executive Summary

Roll shops
· Use of water-based degreasing as far as technically
acceptable for the degree of cleanliness required.
· If organic solvents have to be used, preference is to be
given to non-chlorinated solvents.
· Collection of grease removed from roll trunnions and
proper disposal, such as by incineration.
· Treatment of grinding sludge by magnetic separation for
recovery of metal particles and recirculation into the
steelmaking process.
· Disposal of oil- and grease-containing residues from
grinding wheels, e.g. by incineration.
· Deposition of mineral residues from grinding wheels and of
worn grinding wheels in landfills.
· Treatment of cooling liquids and cutting emulsions for
oil/water separation. Proper disposal of oily residues, e.g.
by incineration.
· Treatment of waste water effluents from cooling and
degreasing as well as from emulsion separation in the hot
rolling mill water treatment plant.
· Recycling of steel and iron turnings into the steelmaking
process.
hot rolling
Cold Rolling
In cold rolling, the properties of hot rolled strip products, e.g. thickness, mechanical and
technological characteristics, are changed by compression between rollers without previous
heating of the input. The input is obtained in the form of coils from hot rolling mills. The
processing steps and the sequence of processing in a cold rolling mill depend on the quality of
the steel treated. The following process steps are used for low alloy and alloy steel (carbon
steel): pickling; rolling for reduction in thickness; annealing or heat treatment to regenerate the
crystalline structure; temper rolling or skin pass rolling of annealed strip to give desired
mechanical properties, shape and surface roughness, and finishing.
The process route for high alloy steel (stainless steel) involves additional steps to that for
carbon steels. The main stages are: hot band annealing and pickling; cold rolling; final
annealing and pickling (or bright annealing); skin pass rolling and finishing.
Cold rolled products are mainly strips and sheets (thickness typically 0.16 - 3 mm) with high
quality surface finish and precise metallurgical properties for use in high specification products.
Cold rolled wide strip production (sheets and plates) was about 39.6 million tonnes in 1996.
[EUROFER CR]. The main producing countries were Germany with about 10.6 million tonnes,
France with 6.3 million tonnes, Italy with 4.3, UK with 4.0 million tonnes and Belgium with 3.8
million tonnes.
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Cold rolled narrow strip, obtained from cold rolling narrow hot strip or from slitting and cold
rolling hot rolled sheet, amounted to about 8.3 millions tonnes in 1994 (2.7 million tonnes of
cold rolled and 5.5 million tonnes of slit strip)
The cold rolled strip industry in the EU is both concentrated and fragmented. The largest 10
companies account for 50 % of the production while another 140 companies account for the
remaining 50 %. The structure of the sector is marked by national differences in company size
and industry concentration. Most of the largest companies are situated in Germany, which
dominate the market with about 57 % of EU production (1.57 million tonnes in 1994). The
majority of companies, however, can be classified as small or medium-sized enterprises.
[Bed95]
In 1994, Germany produced about 35 % of the slit strip, with 1.9 million tonnes, followed by
Italy and France each with a production of 0.9 million tonnes.
The main environmental issues of cold rolling are: acidic wastes and waste water; degreaser
fume, acidic and oil mist emissions to air; oil-containing wastes and waste water; dust, e.g. from
descaling and decoiling; NOx from mixed acid pickling and combustion gases from furnace
firing.
As for acid emissions to air from cold rolling, these may arise from pickling and acid
regeneration processes. Emissions differ, depending on the pickling process used – basically the
acid used. For hydrochloric acid pickling, HCl emissions of 1 – 145 mg/Nm³ maximum (up to
16 g/t) were reported; with the range reported by industry being 10 – < 30 mg/Nm³ (~ 0.26 g/t).
For sulphuric acid pickling, H2SO4 emissions of 1 –2 mg/Nm³ and 0.05 – 0.1 g/t were reported.
For mixed acid pickling of stainless steel, HF emissions were reported in the range of 0.2 – 17
mg/m3 (0.2 – 3.4 g/t). Additionally to acidic air emissions, NOx is generated. The scattering
rang was reported to be 3 - ~ 1000 mg/Nm3 (3 – 4000 g/t specific emission) with doubts being
raised on the lower end levels.
Only little data was available for dust emissions from steel handling and descaling operations.
Reported ranges for mechanical descaling are 10 – 20 g/t for specific emissions and
concentration ranging from < 1 – 25 mg/m3.
For more details and for emission and consumption data for other process steps of cold rolling,
refer to Chapter A.3 where the available data are presented with qualifying information.
of cold rolling are summarized in Table 2. All emission figures are expressed as daily mean
emission/consumption levels presented in the table, except where a ‘split view’ is explicitly
recorded.
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Decoiling
· Water curtains followed by waste water treatment in which
the solids are separated and collected for reuse of iron
content.
· Exhaust systems with treatment of extracted air by fabric split view on dust level:
filters and recycling of collected dust. < 5 mg/Nm³
< 20 mg/Nm³
Pickling
General measures to reduce acid consumption and waste acid
generation as described in Chapter A.4.2.2.1. should be
applied as far as possible, especially the following techniques:
· Prevention of steel corrosion by appropriate storage and

handling, cooling etc.
· Reduction of load on pickling step by mechanical pre-
descaling in a closed unit, with an extraction system and
fabric filters.
· Use of electrolytic pre-pickling.
· Use of modern, optimised pickling facilities (spray or
turbulence pickling instead of dip pickling).
· Mechanical filtration and recirculation for lifetime
extension of pickling baths.
· Side-stream ion-exchange or electro-dialysis (for mixed
acid) or other method for free acid reclamation (described
in Chapter D.6.9) for bath regeneration.
HCl pickling
· Reuse of spent HCl.
· or Regeneration of the acid by spray roasting or fluidised Dust 20 -50 mg/Nm³

bed (or equivalent process) with recirculation of the HCl 2 – 30 mg/Nm³
regenerate; air scrubbing system as described in Chapter 4 SO2 50 - 100 mg/Nm³
for the regeneration plant; reuse of Fe2O3 by-product. CO 150 mg/Nm³
CO2 180000 mg/Nm³
NO2 300 – 370 mg/Nm³
· Totally enclosed equipment or equipment fitted with Dust 10 - 20 mg/Nm³
hoods and scrubbing of extracted air. HCl 2 – 30 mg/Nm³
H2SO4 Pickling
· Recovery of the free acid by crystallisation; air scrubbing H2SO4 5 - 10 mg/Nm³
devices for recovery plant. SO2 8 – 20 mg/Nm³
· Totally enclosed equipment or equipment fitted with H2SO4 1-2 mg/Nm³
hoods and scrubbing of extracted air. SO2 8 - 20 mg/Nm³
Table 2: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for cold rolling
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Mixed acid pickling
· Free acid reclamation (by side-stream ion exchange or
dialysis)
· or acid regeneration - by spray roasting: Dust < 10 mg/Nm³
HF < 2 mg/Nm³
NO2 < 200 mg/Nm³
- or by evaporation process: HF < 2 mg/Nm³

NO2 < 100 mg/Nm³
· Enclosed equipment/hoods and scrubbing, and
additionally: for all:
· Scrubbing with H2O2, urea etc. NOx 200 - 650 mg/Nm³
· or NOx suppression by adding H2O2 or urea to the pickling HF 2 – 7 mg/Nm³
bath
· or SCR.
· Alternative: use of nitric acid-free pickling plus enclosed
equipment or equipment fitted with hoods and scrubbing.
Heating of acids
· Indirect heating by heat exchangers or, if steam for heat
exchangers has to be produced first, by submerged
combustion.
· Not using direct injection of steam.
Minimization of waste water
· Cascade rinsing systems with internal re-use of overflow
(e.g. in pickling baths or scrubbing).
· Careful tuning and managing of the ‘pickling-acid
regeneration-rinsing’ system.
Waste water treatment
· Treatment by neutralisation, flocculation, etc., where SS: < 20 mg/l
1
acidic water blow-down from the system cannot be Oil: < 5 mg/l
avoided. Fe: < 10 mg/l
Crtot: < 0.2 mg/l 2
Ni: < 0.2 mg/l 2
Zn: < 2 mg/l
Emulsion systems
· Prevention of contamination by regular checking of seals,
pipework etc. and leakage control.
· Continuous monitoring of emulsion quality.
· Operation of emulsion circuits with cleaning and reuse of
emulsion to extend lifetime.
· Treatment of spent emulsion to reduce oil content, e.g. by
ultrafiltration or electrolytic splitting.
Rolling and tempering
· Exhaust system with treatment of extracted air by mist Hydrocarbons:
eliminators (droplet separator). 5 – 15 mg/Nm³.
1
oil based on random measurements
2
for stainless steel < 0.5 mg/l
cold rolling
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Executive Summary

Degreasing
· Degreasing circuit with cleaning and reuse of the degreaser
solution. Appropriate measures for cleaning are mechanical
methods and membrane filtration as described in chapter
A.4.
· Treatment of spent degreasing solution by electrolytic
emulsion splitting or ultrafiltration to reduce the oil
content; reuse of separated oil fraction; treatment
(neutralisation etc.) of separated water fraction prior to
discharge.
· Extraction system for degreasing fume and scrubbing.
Annealing furnaces
· For continuous furnaces, low NOx burners. NOx 250–400 mg/Nm³ without
air pre-heating, 3 % O2.
Reduction rates of 60 % for
NOx (and 87 % for CO)
· Combustion air pre-heating by regenerative or
recuperative burners or
· Pre-heating of stock by waste gas.
Finishing/Oiling
· Extraction hoods followed by mist eliminators and/or
electrostatic precipitators or
· Electrostatic oiling.
Levelling and welding
· Extraction hoods with dust abatement by fabric filters. split view on dust level:
< 5 mg/Nm³
< 20 mg/Nm³
Cooling (machines etc.),
· Separate cooling water systems operating in closed loops.
Roll shops
Refer to BATs listed for roll shops in hot rolling.
Metallic by-products
· Collection of scrap from cutting, heads and tails and
recirculation into the metallurgical process.
cold rolling
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Wire Drawing
Wire drawing is a process in which wire rods/wires are reduced in size by drawing them
through cone-shaped openings of a smaller cross section, called dies. The input is usually wire
rod of diameters raging from 5.5 to 16 mm obtained from hot rolling mills in the form of coils.
A typical wire drawing plant comprises the following process lines:
· Pre-treatment of the wire rod (mechanical descaling, pickling)

· Dry or wet drawing (usually several drafts with decreasing die sizes)
● Heat treatment (continuous-/discontinuous annealing, patenting, oil hardening)
· Finishing
The European Union has the world largest wire drawing industry, followed by Japan and North
America. It produces about 6 million tonnes of wire per year. Including the various wire
products, such as barbed wire, grill, fencing, netting, nails etc, the production of the sector
reaches more than 7 million tonnes per year. The European wire drawing industry is
characterised by a large number of medium sized, specialised companies. The industry’s output,
however, is dominated by a few large producers. It is estimated that about 5 % of the companies
account for 70 % of the industry’s output (25 % of the companies for 90 %).
Over the past 10 years, independent wire drawing companies have become increasingly
vertically integrated. Approximately 6 % of the wire drawers in Europe are integrated producers
representing about 75 % of the total production of steel wire [C.E.T].
The largest producer of steel wire is Germany with 32 % (about 1.09 million tonnes) of EU wire
production, followed by Italy (approx. 22 %, 1.2 million tonnes), UK, Benelux (mainly
Belgium), France and Spain.
The main environmental aspects of wire drawing are: air emissions from pickling, acidic wastes
and waste water; fugitive soap dust (dry drawing), spent lubricant and effluents (wet drawing),
combustion gas from furnaces and emissions and lead-containing wastes from lead baths.
For air emissions from pickling, HCl concentrations of 0 - 30 mg/Nm³ were reported. In
continuous annealing and patenting lead baths are used. Generating lead containing wastes,
1 - 15 kg/t for continuous annealing and 1 –10 kg/t for patenting. Reported Pb air emissions for
patenting are < 0.02 – 1 mg/Nm³ and Pb concentrations in quench water overflow 2 – 20 mg/l.
For more details and for emission and consumption data for other process steps of wire
drawing, refer to Chapter A.3 where the available data are presented with qualifying
information.
of wire drawing are summarized in Table 3. All emission figures are expressed as daily mean
emission/consumption levels presented in the table.
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Best Available Techniques BAT-associated emission

and consumption levels
Batch pickling
· Close monitoring of bath parameters: temperature and
concentration.
· Operating within the limits given in Part D/Chapter D.6.1 ‘Open
Pickling Bath Operation’.
· For of pickling baths with high vapour emission, e.g. heated or HCl 2 – 30 mg/Nm³.
concentrated HCl-bath: installation of lateral extraction and
possibly treating of the extraction air for both new and existing
installations.
Pickling
· Cascade Pickling (capacity >15 000 tonne wire rod per year) or
· Reclamation of free acid fraction and reuse in pickling plant.
· External regeneration of spent acid.
· Recycling of spent acid as secondary raw material.
· Non-acid descaling, e.g shot blasting, if quality requirements
allow it.
· Counter current cascade rinsing.
Dry drawing
· Enclosing the drawing machine (and connecting to a filter or
similar device when necessary), for all new machines with
drawing speed ³ 4 m/s.
Wet drawing
· Cleaning and reuse of drawing lubricant.
· Treatment of spent lubricant to reduce oil content in the
discharge and/or to reduce waste volume, e.g. by chemical
breaking, electrolytic emulsion splitting or ultrafiltration.
· Treatment of discharge water fraction.
Dry and wet drawing
· Closed cooling-water loops.
· Not using once-through cooling water systems.
Batch annealing furnaces, continuous annealing furnaces for stainless steel and furnaces
used in oil hardening and tempering
· Burning of the protective gas purge.
Continuous annealing of low carbon wire and patenting,
· Good housekeeping measures, as described in chapter A.4.3.7 Pb < 5 mg/Nm³,
for the lead bath. CO < 100 mg/Nm³
TOC < 50 mg/Nm³.
· Separate storage of Pb-containing wastes, protected from rain
and wind.
· Recycling of Pb-containing wastes in non-ferrous metals
industry
· Closed loop operation of quench bath.
Oil-hardening lines
· Evacuation of the oil mist from quench baths and removal of
the oil mists, when appropriate.
Table 3: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for wire drawing
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Executive Summary
Part B: Continuous Hot Dip Coating
In the hot dip coating process, steel sheet or wire is continuously passed through molten metal.
An alloying reaction between the two metals takes place, leading to a good bond between
coating and substrate.
Metals suitable for the use in hot dip coating are those which have a melting point low enough
to avoid any thermal changes in the steel product; for example, aluminium, lead, tin and zinc.
The production of continuous hot dip coating lines in the EU was about 15 Mt in1997. The vast
majority of coatings applied in continuous hot dip coating is zinc. Aluminium coatings and,
especially, terne coatings played only a minor role.
Galvanized steel 81 %
Galvannealed steel 4%
Galfan 4%
Aluminized steel 5%
Aluzinc 5%
Ternex 1%
In general, continuous coating lines for sheet comprise the following steps:
· Surface cleaning by means of chemical and/or thermal treatment
· Heat treatment
· Immersion in a bath of molten metal
· Finishing treatment
Continuous wire galvanizing plants involve the following steps:

· Pickling
· Fluxing
· Galvanizing
· Finishing
Main environmental issues concerning this sub-sector are acidic air emissions, wastes and waste
water; air emissions and energy consumption of furnaces, Zinc-containing residues, oil- and
chrome-containing waste waters.
For detailed emission and consumption data, refer to Chapter B.3 where the available data are
presented with qualifying information.
of continuous hot dip galvanizing are summarized in Table 4. All emission figures are
expressed as daily mean values. Emissions to air are based on standard conditions of 273 K,
101.3 kPa and dry gas. Discharges to water are indicated as daily mean value of a flow-rate-
related 24-hour composite sample or a flow-rate-related composite sample over the actual
operating time (for plants not operated in three shifts).
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xiii

Executive Summary

Pickling
· Refer to the BAT chapter of Part A/Cold rolling Mills.
Degreasing
· Cascade degreasing.
· Cleaning and recirculation of degreasing solution; appropriate
measures for cleaning are mechanical methods and membrane
filtration as described in chapter A.4.
· Treatment of spent degreasing solution by electrolytic
emulsion splitting or ultrafiltration to reduce the oil content;
reutilisation of separated oil fraction, e.g. thermally; treatment
(neutralisation etc.) of the separated water fraction.
· Covered tanks with extraction and cleaning of extracted air by
scrubber or demister.
· Use of squeeze rolls to minimize drag-out.
Heat treatment furnaces
· Low-NOx burners. NOx 250 - 400 mg/Nm³
(3% O2) without air pre-
heating
· Air pre-heating by regenerative or recuperative burners. CO 100 - 200 mg/Nm³
· Pre-heating of strip.
· Steam production to recover heat from waste gas.
Hot dipping
· Separate collection and recycling in the non-ferrous metals
industry for zinc-containing residues, dross or hard zinc.
Galvannealing
· Low-NOx burners. NOx 250-400 mg/Nm³ (3% O2)
without air pre-heating
· Regenerative or recuperative burner systems.
Oiling
· Covering the strip oiling machine or
Phosphating and passivation/chromating
· Covered process baths.
· Cleaning and reuse of phosphating solution.
· Cleaning and reuse of passivation solution.
· Use of squeeze rolls.
· Collection of skinpass/temper solution and treatment in waste
water treatment plant.
Cooling (machines etc.)
· Separate cooling water systems operating in closed loops.
Waste water
· Waste water treatment by a combination of sedimentation, SS: < 20 mg/l
filtration and/or flotation/ precipitation/flocculation. Fe: < 10 mg/l
Techniques described in Chapter 4 or equally efficient Zn: < 2 mg/l
combinations of individual treatment measures (also described Ni: < 0.2 mg/l
in part D). Crtot: < 0.2 mg/l
· For existing continuous water treatment plants which only Pb: < 0.5 mg/l
achieve Zn < 4 mg/l, switch to batch treatment. Sn: < 2 mg/l
Table 4: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for continuous
hot dip galvanizing
xiv October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Executive Summary
Aluminizing of Sheet
Most BAT are the same as for hot dip galvanising. However, there is no need for a waste water
treatment plant as only cooling water is discharged.
BAT for heating:

Gas firing. Combustion control system
Lead-Tin Coating of Sheet

Pickling
(1)
Enclosed tanks and venting to a wet scrubber, treatment of waste HCl < 30 mg/Nm³
water from the scrubber and pickling tank.
Nickel plating
· Enclosed process, ventilated to a wet scrubber.
Hot dipping
· Air knives to control coating thickness.
Passivation
· A no-rinse system and hence no rinse waters.
Oiling
· Electrostatic oiling machine.
Waste water
· Waste water treatment by neutralising with sodium hydroxide
solution, flocculation/precipitation.
· Filter cake de-watering and disposed to landfill.
1
daily mean values, standard conditions of 273 K, 101.3 Pa and dry gas
Table 5: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for continuous
lead-tin coating of sheet
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xv

Executive Summary
Coating of Wire
of wire coating are summarized in Table 6. All emission figures are expressed as daily mean

Pickling
· Enclosed equipment or equipment fitted with hoods and HCl 2 - 30 mg/Nm³.
scrubbing of extracted air.
· Cascade pickling for new installations above a capacity of
15 000 tonne/year per line.
· Recovery of free acid fraction.
· External regeneration of spent acid for all installations.
· Reuse of spent acid as secondary raw material.
Water consumption
Cascaded rinsing, possibly in combination with other methods
to minimize water consumption, for all new and all large
installations (> 15 000 tonne/year).
Waste water
· Waste water treatment by physico-chemical treatment SS: < 20 mg/l
(neutralisation, flocculation, etc.). Fe: < 10 mg/l
Zn: < 2 mg/l
Ni: < 0.2 mg/l
Crtot: < 0.2 mg/l
Pb: < 0.5 mg/l
Sn: < 2 mg/l
Fluxing
· Good housekeeping with special focus on reducing iron
carry-over and bath maintenance.
· Regeneration of flux baths on site (side-stream iron
removal).
· External reutilisation of spent flux solution.
Hot dipping
· Good housekeeping measures as described in Chapter B.4 Dust < 10 mg/Nm³
Zinc < 5 mg/Nm³
Zn-containing wastes
· Separate storage and protection form rain and wind, and
reuse in the non-ferrous metals industry.
Cooling water (after the zinc bath)
· Closed loop or reuse of this relatively pure water as make-
up water for other applications.
Table 6: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for wire coating
xvi October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Executive Summary
Part C: Batch Galvanizing
Hot dip galvanizing is a corrosion protection process in which iron and steel fabrications are
protected from corrosion by coating them with zinc. Prevalent in batch hot dip galvanizing is
job galvanizing - also referred to as general galvanizing - in which a great variety of input
materials are treated for different customers. The size, amount and nature of the inputs can
differ significantly. Galvanizing of pipes or tubes which is carried out in semi- or fully-
automatic special galvanizing plants is usually not covered by the term job galvanizing.
The items to be coated in batch galvanizing plants are steel fabrications, such as nails, screws
and other very small items; lattice grates, construction parts, structural components, light poles
and many more. In some cases tubes are also galvanized in conventional batch coating plants.
Galvanized steel is used in construction, transport, agriculture, power transmission and
everywhere that good corrosion protection and long life are essential.
The sector operates with short lead times and short order books to give enhanced service to
customers. Distribution issues are important, and so plants are located close to market
concentrations. Consequently, the industry consists of a relatively large number of plants (about
600 all over Europe), servicing regional markets in order to minimize distribution costs and
increase economic efficiency. Only a few ‘niche’ operators are prepared to transport certain
classes of fabrication for longer distances in order to exploit their special expertise or plant
capability. Opportunities for these specialist operators are limited.
In 1997 the tonnage of galvanized steel was about 5 million. The largest share was produced by
Germany with 1.4 million tonnes and 185 galvanizing plants (in 1997). Second largest producer
was Italy with 0.8 million tonnes (74 plants), followed by UK and Ireland with 0.7 million
tonnes (88 plants) and France 0.7 million tonnes (69 plants).
Batch galvanizing usually comprises the following process steps:
· Degreasing
· Pickling
· Fluxing
· Galvanizing (melt metal coating)
· Finishing
A galvanizing plant, essentially, consists of a series of treatment or process baths. The steel is
moved between tanks and dipped into the baths by overhead cranes.
The main environmental issues for batch galvanizing are emissions to air (HCl from pickling,
and dust and gaseous compounds from the kettle); spent process solutions (degreasing solutions,
pickling baths and flux baths), oily wastes (e.g. from cleaning of degreasing baths) and zinc-
containing residues (filter dust, zinc ash, hard zinc).
For detailed emission and consumption data, refer to Chapter .3 where the available data are
presented with qualifying information.
of batch galvanising are summarized in Table 7. All emission figures are expressed as daily
mean values. Emissions to air are based on standard conditions of 273 K, 101.3 kPa and dry
gas. Discharges to water are indicated as daily mean value of a flow-rate-related 24-hour
composite sample or a flow-rate-related composite sample over the actual operating time (for
plants not operated in three shifts).
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xvii

Executive Summary

and consumption
Degreasing
· Installation of a degreasing step, unless items are totally grease
free.
· Optimum bath operation to enhance efficiency, e.g. by
agitation.
· Cleaning degreasing solutions to extend lifespan (by
skimming, centrifuge, etc.) and recirculation, reutilization of
oily sludge or
· 'Biological degreasing' with in situ cleaning (grease and oil
removal from degreaser solution) by bacteria.
Pickling + stripping:
· Separate pickling and stripping unless a downstream process
for the recovery of values from “mixed” liquors is installed on
site or is available through a specialist external contractor.
· Reuse of spent stripping liquor (external or internal e.g. to
recover fluxing agent).
In case of combined pickling and stripping:

· Recovery of values from “mixed” liquors, e.g. use for flux
production, recovery of acid for re-use in the galvanizing
industry or for other inorganic chemicals
HCl pickling
· Close monitoring of baths parameters: temperature and
concentration.
· Operating within the limits given in Part D/Chapter D.6.1
‘Open Pickling Bath Operation’.
· If heated or higher concentrated HCl-baths are used:
installation of extraction unit and treatment of extracted air HCl 2 – 30 mg/Nm³
(e.g. by scrubbing).
· Special attention to actual pickling effect of bath and use of
pickling inhibitors to avoid over-pickling.
· Recovery of free acid fraction from spent pickle liquor or
external regeneration of pickling liquor.
· Zn removal from acid.
· Use of spent pickle liquor for flux production.
· Not using spent pickle liquor for neutralisation
· Not using spent pickling liquor for emulsion splitting
Rinsing
· Good drainage between pre-treatment tanks.
· Implementation of rinsing after degreasing and after pickling.
· Static rinsing or rinsing cascades.
· Reuse of rinse water to replenish preceding process baths.
Waste water-free operation (in exceptional cases where waste
water is generated, waste water treatment is required).
Table 7: Key findings regarding BAT and associated emission/consumption levels for batch
galvanizing
xviii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Executive Summary

and consumption
Fluxing
· Control of bath parameters and the optimised amount of flux
used are also important to reduce emission further down the
process line.
· For flux baths: internal and external flux bath regeneration.
Hot dipping
· Capture of emissions from dipping by enclosure of the pot or Dust < 5 mg/Nm³
by lip extraction and dust abatement by fabric filters or wet
scrubbers.
· Internal or external reuse of dust, e.g. for flux production. The
recovery system should ensure that dioxins, which may
occasionally be present at low concentration due to upset
conditions in the plant, do not build up as the dusts are
recycled.
Zn-containing wastes
· Separate storage and protection form rain and wind, and reuse
of contained values in the non-ferrous or other sectors.
batch galvanizing
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xix

Preface
PREFACE
1. Status of this document
Unless otherwise stated, references to “the Directive” in this document means the Council
Directive 96/61/EC on integrated pollution prevention and control.
This document forms part of a series presenting the results of an exchange of information
between EU Member States and industries concerned on best available techniques (BAT),
associated monitoring, and developments in them. *[It is published by the European
Commission pursuant to Article 16(2) of the Directive, and must therefore be taken into account
in accordance with Annex IV of the Directive when determining “best available techniques”.]
* Note: brackets will be removed once the procedure of publication by the Commission is completed.
2. Relevant legal obligations of the IPPC Directive and the definition of BAT
In order to help the reader understand the legal context in which this document has been drafted,
some of the most relevant provisions of the IPPC Directive, including the definition of the term
“best available techniques”, are described in this preface. This description is inevitably
incomplete and is given for information only. It has no legal value and does not in any way alter
or prejudice the actual provisions of the Directive.
The purpose of the Directive is to achieve integrated prevention and control of pollution arising
from the activities listed in its Annex I, leading to a high level of protection of the environment
as a whole. The legal basis of the Directive relates to environmental protection. Its
implementation should also take account of other Community objectives such as the
competitiveness of the Community’s industry thereby contributing to sustainable development.
More specifically, it provides for a permitting system for certain categories of industrial
installations requiring both operators and regulators to take an integrated, overall look at the
polluting and consuming potential of the installation. The overall aim of such an integrated
approach must be to improve the management and control of industrial processes so as to ensure
a high level of protection for the environment as a whole. Central to this approach is the general
principle given in Article 3 that operators should take all appropriate preventative measures
against pollution, in particular through the application of best available techniques enabling
them to improve their environmental performance.
The term “best available techniques” is defined in Article 2(11) of the Directive as “the most
effective and advanced stage in the development of activities and their methods of operation
which indicate the practical suitability of particular techniques for providing in principle the
basis for emission limit values designed to prevent and, where that is not practicable, generally
to reduce emissions and the impact on the environment as a whole.” Article 2(11) goes on to
clarify further this definition as follows:
“techniques” includes both the technology used and the way in which the installation is
designed, built, maintained, operated and decommissioned;
“available” techniques are those developed on a scale which allows implementation in the
relevant industrial sector, under economically and technically viable conditions, taking into
consideration the costs and advantages, whether or not the techniques are used or produced
inside the Member State in question, as long as they are reasonably accessible to the operator;
“best” means most effective in achieving a high general level of protection of the environment
as a whole.
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxi

Preface
Furthermore, Annex IV of the Directive contains a list of “considerations to be taken into

account generally or in specific cases when determining best available techniques ... bearing in
mind the likely costs and benefits of a measure and the principles of precaution and prevention”.
These considerations include the information published by the Commission pursuant to
Article 16(2).
Competent authorities responsible for issuing permits are required to take account of the general
principles set out in Article 3 when determining the conditions of the permit. These conditions
must include emission limit values, supplemented or replaced where appropriate by equivalent
parameters or technical measures. According to Article 9(4) of the Directive, these emission
limit values, equivalent parameters and technical measures must, without prejudice to
compliance with environmental quality standards, be based on the best available techniques,
without prescribing the use of any technique or specific technology, but taking into account the
technical characteristics of the installation concerned, its geographical location and the local
environmental conditions. In all circumstances, the conditions of the permit must include
provisions on the minimization of long-distance or transboundary pollution and must ensure a
high level of protection for the environment as a whole.
Member States have the obligation, according to Article 11 of the Directive, to ensure that
competent authorities follow or are informed of developments in best available techniques.
3. Objective of this Document
Article 16(2) of the Directive requires the Commission to organise “an exchange of information
between Member States and the industries concerned on best available techniques, associated
monitoring and developments in them”, and to publish the results of the exchange.
The purpose of the information exchange is given in recital 25 of the Directive, which states
that “the development and exchange of information at Community level about best available
techniques will help to redress the technological imbalances in the Community, will promote
the world-wide dissemination of limit values and techniques used in the Community and will
help the Member States in the efficient implementation of this Directive.”
The Commission (Environment DG) established an information exchange forum (IEF) to assist
the work under Article 16(2) and a number of technical working groups have been established
under the umbrella of the IEF. Both IEF and the technical working groups include
representation from Member States and industry as required in Article 16(2).
The aim of this series of documents is to reflect accurately the exchange of information which
has taken place as required by Article 16(2) and to provide reference information for the
permitting authority to take into account when determining permit conditions. By providing
relevant information concerning best available techniques, these documents should act as
valuable tools to drive environmental performance.
4. Information Sources
This document represents a summary of information collected from a number of sources,

including in particular the expertise of the groups established to assist the Commission in its
work, and verified by the Commission services. All contributions are gratefully acknowledged.
5. How to understand and use this document
The information provided in this document is intended to be used as an input to the

determination of BAT in specific cases. When determining BAT and setting BAT-based permit
conditions, account should always be taken of the overall goal to achieve a high level of
protection for the environment as a whole.
xxii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

Preface
The rest of this section describes the type of information that is provided in each section of the
document.
In each of the sections A, B and C, Sub-chapters 1 and 2 provide general information on the
industrial sector concerned and on the industrial processes used within the sector.
Sub-chapters 3 provides data and information concerning current emission and consumption
levels reflecting the situation in existing installations at the time of writing.
Sub-chapters 4 describe in more detail the emission reduction and other techniques that are
considered to be most relevant for determining BAT and BAT-based permit conditions. This
information includes the consumption and emission levels considered achievable by using the
technique, some idea of the costs and the cross-media issues associated with the technique, and
the extent to which the technique is applicable to the range of installations requiring IPPC
permits, for example new, existing, large or small installations. Techniques that are generally
seen as obsolete are not included.
Sub-chapters 5 present the techniques and the emission and consumption levels that are
considered to be compatible with BAT in a general sense. The purpose is thus to provide
general indications regarding the emission and consumption levels that might be considered as
an appropriate reference point to assist in the determination of BAT-based permit conditions or
for the establishment of general binding rules under Article 9(8). It should be stressed, however,
that this document does not propose emission limit values. The determination of appropriate
permit conditions will involve taking account of local, site-specific factors such as the technical
characteristics of the installation concerned, its geographical location and the local
environmental conditions. In the case of existing installations, the economical and technical
viability of upgrading them also needs to be taken into account. Even the single objective of
ensuring a high level of protection for the environment as a whole will often involve making
trade-off judgements between different types of environmental impact, and these judgements
will often be influenced by local considerations.
Although an attempt is made to address some of these issues, it is not possible for them to be
considered fully in this document. The techniques and levels presented in sub-chapters 5 will
therefore not necessarily be appropriate for all installations. On the other hand, the obligation to
ensure a high level of environmental protection including the minimization of long-distance or
transboundary pollution implies that permit conditions cannot be set on the basis of purely local
considerations. It is therefore of the utmost importance that the information contained in this
document is fully taken into account by permitting authorities.
Since the best available techniques change over time, this document will be reviewed and
updated as appropriate. All comments and suggestions should be made to the European IPPC
Bureau at the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies at the following address:
World Trade Center, Isla de la Cartuja s/n, E-41092 Seville – Spain

Telephone: +34 95 4488 284 Fax: +34 95 4488 426
e-mail eippcb@jrc.es
Internet: http://eippcb.jrc.es
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxiii

Scope
Scope
The scope of this work on Ferrous Metal Processing is closely linked to the scope of the earlier
work on Primary and Secondary Iron and Steel which covered the iron and steel production to
the casting process. Starting with the semi-finished products ingots, slabs, blooms and billets
obtained from ingot casting or continuous casting the further manufacturing steps, like hot
rolling, cold rolling and drawing, hot dip metal coating and the related pre- and after treatment
of the shaped steel products, will be covered.
Section 2.3 a of Annex I to Directive 96/61/EC only explicitly names hot rolling mills
(> 20 t/h), but cold rolling mills and associated processes, like pickling and degreasing, will also
be covered.
Section 2.3 c of the Annex refers to protective smelt metal coats (>2 t/h). No distinction is made
between continuous hot dip coating of steel and the hot dip coating of fabricated steel products.
Therefore batch hot dip coating of steel fabricates, known as general galvanizing, is part of the
work.
Smitheries and ferrous metal foundries (Section 2.3 b and 2.4 of Annex I) are not included in
this work and neither are electroplating nor organic coating of steel.
Main operational steps regarding continuous processing that will be covered are:
· Reheating and heat treatment of input materials, like slabs, blooms, billets and ingots.
· Surface rectification and preparation processes:
scarfing, grinding, descaling, degreasing, pickling
· Shaping of steel: rough milling, hot rolling, cold rolling, drawing.
· Processes yielding in special material or product qualities:
annealing, temper rolling/skin pass rolling
· Hot dip metal coating and finishing.
Regarding batch hot dip coating of fabricated steel products the following operational steps
will be addressed:
· Surface preparation of fabricated steel: degreasing, rinsing, pickling, fluxing, drying.

· Coating with molten metal.
· After treatment/finishing: cooling, greasing.
This BREF document consists of 4 Parts (A – D). Parts A to C cover the different industrial
sub-sectors of the Ferrous Metals Processing sector: A, Hot and Cold Forming; B, Continuous
Coating; C, Batch Galvanizing. This structure was chosen because of the differences in nature
and scale of the activities covered by the term FMP.
Part D does not cover an industrial sub-sector. It comprises the technical descriptions of a
number of environmental measures which are techniques to be considered in the determination
of BAT in more than one sub-sector. This was done to avoid repetition of technical descriptions
in the three Chapters 4. These descriptions have to be viewed always in connection with the
more specific information, referring to the application in individual sub-sectors, which is given
in the relevant Chapter 4.
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxv

Best Available Technique Reference Document on
Ferrous Metals Processing
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................................... i
Preface .............................................................................................................................................. xxi
A.1 General Information on Hot and Cold Forming ..........................................................................1
A.1.1 Hot Rolled Flat Products........................................................................................................2
A.1.2 Hot Rolled Long Products......................................................................................................3
A.1.3 Tubes......................................................................................................................................4
A.1.4 Cold Rolled Flat Products ......................................................................................................5
A.1.5 Cold Drawn Long Products/ Bright Steel Bars ......................................................................8
A.1.6 Wire .......................................................................................................................................8
A.2 Applied Processes and Techniques in Hot and Cold Forming...................................................11
A.2.1 Hot Rolling Mills .................................................................................................................11
A.2.1.1 Process Overview...........................................................................................................11
A.2.1.1.1 Blooming/Slabbing Mills.......................................................................................13
A.2.1.1.2 Hot Strip Mills .......................................................................................................13
A.2.1.1.3 Plate Mills ..............................................................................................................16
A.2.1.1.4 Bar and Rod Mills..................................................................................................17
A.2.1.1.5 Structural/Section Mills .........................................................................................19
A.2.1.1.6 Tube Mill ...............................................................................................................22
A.2.1.2 Surface Rectification and Conditioning of Input............................................................25
A.2.1.3 Reheating- and Heat Treatment Furnaces ......................................................................26
A.2.1.3.1 Batch Furnaces.......................................................................................................26
A.2.1.3.2 Continuous Furnaces..............................................................................................27
A.2.1.4 Descaling........................................................................................................................29
A.2.1.5 Edging ............................................................................................................................30
A.2.1.6 Roughing ........................................................................................................................30
A.2.1.7 Strip Rolling/Finishing Train .........................................................................................30
A.2.1.8 Rod Rolling/Finishing Train ..........................................................................................30
A.2.1.9 Plate Rolling...................................................................................................................31
A.2.1.10 Transport of Roll Stock between Rolling Stands ...........................................................31
A.2.1.11 Cooling Lines .................................................................................................................31
A.2.1.12 Sheet and Plate Production.............................................................................................32
A.2.1.13 Plate Heat Treatment ......................................................................................................32
A.2.1.14 Roll Shop........................................................................................................................33
A.2.1.15 Water Circuits / Water Management in Hot Rolling Mills.............................................33
A.2.1.16 Waste and By-product Management in Hot Rolling Mills .............................................36
A.2.2 Cold Rolling Mills ...............................................................................................................38
A.2.2.1 Process Overview...........................................................................................................38
A.2.2.2 Pickling of Low Alloy and Alloy HR Steel....................................................................40
A.2.2.3 Annealing (I) and Pickling (I) of High Alloy HR Steel..................................................41
A.2.2.4 Cold Rolling of the Pickled Hot Rolled Strip.................................................................43
A.2.2.4.1 Low Alloy and Alloy Steel ....................................................................................43
A.2.2.4.2 High Alloy Steel ....................................................................................................44
A.2.2.5 Annealing of Low Alloy and Alloy Steel.......................................................................45
A.2.2.5.1 Batch Annealing ....................................................................................................45
A.2.2.5.2 Continuous Annealing ...........................................................................................46
A.2.2.6 Annealing (II) and Pickling (II) of High Alloy Steel .....................................................47
A.2.2.7 Tempering of Cold Rolled Strip .....................................................................................48
A.2.2.7.1 Low Alloy and Alloy Steel ....................................................................................48
A.2.2.7.2 High Alloy Steel ....................................................................................................48
A.2.2.8 Finishing.........................................................................................................................49
A.2.2.9 Roll Shop........................................................................................................................49
A.2.2.10 Water and Process Baths Management in Cold Rolling Mills .......................................50
A.2.2.10.1 Emulsion System ...................................................................................................50
A.2.2.10.2 Degreasing Solution System ..................................................................................51
A.2.2.10.3 Cooling Water Systems..........................................................................................51
A.2.2.10.4 Waste Water Treatment .........................................................................................53
A.2.2.11 Waste and By-product Management in Cold Rolling Mills ...........................................53
A.2.3 WIRE PLANTS ...................................................................................................................54
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxvii

A.2.3.1 Wire Drawing Process Overview................................................................................... 54
A.2.3.2 Wire Rod Preparation .................................................................................................... 55
A.2.3.2.1 Mechanical Descaling of Wire Rod....................................................................... 56
A.2.3.2.2 Chemical Descaling (Pickling) of Wire Rod ......................................................... 56
A.2.3.2.3 Application of Soap (Lubricant) Carrier ............................................................... 56
A.2.3.3 Drawing ......................................................................................................................... 57
A.2.3.3.1 Dry Drawing of Wire ............................................................................................ 57
A.2.3.4 Heat Treatment of Wire ................................................................................................. 57
A.2.3.4.1 Batch Annealing of Low Carbon Steel Wire......................................................... 57
A.2.3.4.2 Continuous (In-Line) Annealing of Low Carbon Steel Wire ................................ 58
A.2.3.4.3 Continuous (In-Line) Annealing of Stainless Steel Wire ...................................... 58
A.2.3.4.4 Patenting................................................................................................................ 58
A.2.3.4.5 Oil Hardening and Tempering (Oil Tempering).................................................... 59
A.2.3.4.6 Stress-relieving...................................................................................................... 59
A.2.3.5 In-line Pickling .............................................................................................................. 60
A.3 Present Consumption and Emission Levels for Hot and Cold Forming.................................... 61
A.3.1 Hot Rolling Mills................................................................................................................. 61
A.3.1.1 Mass Stream Overview.................................................................................................. 61
A.3.1.2 Surface Rectification and Conditioning of Input ........................................................... 62
A.3.1.3 Reheating and Heat Treatment Furnaces ....................................................................... 63
A.3.1.4 Descaling ....................................................................................................................... 65
A.3.1.5 Hot Rolling .................................................................................................................... 67
A.3.1.6 Roll Shop ....................................................................................................................... 67
A.3.1.7 Oil, Grease and Hydraulic Oil Flow .............................................................................. 67
A.3.1.8 Hot Rolling Mill Waste Water Treatment Plant ............................................................ 69
A.3.1.9 Waste and Recycling ..................................................................................................... 70
A.3.1.10 Noise Issues in Hot Rolling ........................................................................................... 71
A.3.1.11 Commissioning and Decommissioning ......................................................................... 71
A.3.2 Cold Rolling Mills............................................................................................................... 73
A.3.2.2 Pickling of Low Alloy, Alloy and High Alloy Steel...................................................... 74
A.3.2.2.1 Hydrochloric Acid Pickling Line and Regeneration Plant .................................... 75
A.3.2.2.2 Sulphuric Acid Pickling Line and Regeneration Plant .......................................... 77
A.3.2.2.3 Mixed (HNO3-HF) Acid Pickling Line and Acid Recovery.................................. 79
A.3.2.3 Cold Rolling................................................................................................................... 80
A.3.2.3.1 Low Alloy ............................................................................................................. 80
A.3.2.3.2 High Alloy/Reversing Mill.................................................................................... 82
A.3.2.4 Annealing of Low Alloy and Alloy Steel ...................................................................... 83
A.3.2.4.1 Batch Annealing .................................................................................................... 83
A.3.2.4.2 Continuous Annealing........................................................................................... 84
A.3.2.5 Annealing and Pickling of High Alloy Steel ................................................................. 85
A.3.2.6 Tempering (Low alloy/High Alloy)............................................................................... 87
A.3.2.7 Finishing (Cutting, Inspection, Packing) ....................................................................... 87
A.3.2.8 Roll Shop ....................................................................................................................... 88
A.3.2.9 Hydraulic Fluids and Lubricants Management .............................................................. 88
A.3.2.10 Cold Rolling Mill Waste Water Treatment Plant........................................................... 89
A.3.2.11 Waste and Recycling ..................................................................................................... 91
A.3.2.12 Noise Issues in Cold Rolling ......................................................................................... 91
A.3.3 Wire Plant............................................................................................................................ 93
A.3.3.2 Wire Rod Preparation .................................................................................................... 94
A.3.3.2.1 Mechanical Descaling of Wire Rod....................................................................... 94
A.3.3.2.2 Chemical Descaling/Pickling of Wire Rod ........................................................... 94
A.3.3.2.3 Application of Soap Carrier................................................................................... 95
A.3.3.3 Drawing of Wire ............................................................................................................ 96
A.3.3.3.1 Dry Drawing.......................................................................................................... 96
A.3.3.3.2 Wet Drawing ......................................................................................................... 97
A.3.3.4 Heat Treatment of Wire ................................................................................................. 99
A.3.3.4.1 Batch Annealing/Bell and Pot Furnaces................................................................ 99
A.3.3.4.2 Continuous Annealing/Molten Lead Bath ............................................................. 99
A.3.3.4.3 Patenting.............................................................................................................. 100
A.3.3.4.4 Oil Hardening & Tempering ............................................................................... 101
xxviii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

A.3.3.4.5 Annealing of Stainless Steel Wire .......................................................................102
A.3.3.4.6 Stress Relieving ...................................................................................................102
A.3.3.5 Noise Issues in a Wire Plant.........................................................................................102
A.4 Techniques to Consider in the Determination of BAT for Hot and Cold Forming..................105
A.4.1 HOT ROLLING MILL ......................................................................................................105
A.4.1.1 Storage and Handling of Raw Materials and Auxiliaries .............................................105
A.4.1.2 Surface Rectification and Conditioning of Input..........................................................105
A.4.1.2.1 Enclosed Scarfing Operation with Wastegas Cleaning........................................105
A.4.1.2.2 Enclosed Grinding Operation with Waste Gas Cleaning .....................................107
A.4.1.2.3 CAQC - Computer Aided Quality Control ..........................................................109
A.4.1.2.4 Rolling of Wedge-type Slabs ...............................................................................110
A.4.1.2.5 Slab Slitting .........................................................................................................110
A.4.1.3 Reheating and Heat Treatment Furnaces......................................................................111
A.4.1.3.1 General Measures for Energy Efficiency and Low Emission Operation .............111
A.4.1.3.2 Furnace Automation / Furnace Control ...............................................................113
A.4.1.3.3 Optimised Furnace Door Design..........................................................................114
A.4.1.3.4 Regenerative Burner System................................................................................115
A.4.1.3.5 Recuperator and Recuperative Burners................................................................117
A.4.1.3.6 Oxy-fuel Technology ...........................................................................................117
A.4.1.3.7 Low-NOx Burners ...............................................................................................118
A.4.1.3.8 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) ...................................................................119
A.4.1.3.9 Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR)........................................................121
A.4.1.3.10 External Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR)...............................................................123
A.4.1.3.11 Waste Heat Boiler................................................................................................123
A.4.1.3.12 Optimised Skid Design to Reduce Skid Marks....................................................125
A.4.1.3.13 Reduction of Energy Loss through Stock Transportation Device........................126
A.4.1.3.14 Evaporative Furnace Skid Cooling ......................................................................126
A.4.1.3.15 Feedstock Preheating ...........................................................................................128
A.4.1.3.16 Heat Conservation Box / Thermal Covers ...........................................................129
A.4.1.3.17 Hot Charging / Direct Rolling..............................................................................131
A.4.1.3.18 Near Net Shape Casting / Thin Slab Casting .......................................................133
A.4.1.3.19 Near Net Shape Casting/ Beam Blank Casting ....................................................138
A.4.1.4 Descaling......................................................................................................................138
A.4.1.4.1 Material Tracking ................................................................................................138
A.4.1.4.2 Use of High-pressure Storage Equipment............................................................139
A.4.1.5 Edging ..........................................................................................................................139
A.4.1.5.1 Automatic Width Control Comprising Short Stroke Control...............................140
A.4.1.6 Roughing ......................................................................................................................141
A.4.1.6.1 Process Automation .............................................................................................141
A.4.1.7 Transport of Rolled Stock from Roughing Mill to Finishing Train .............................141
A.4.1.7.1 Coil Box...............................................................................................................141
A.4.1.7.2 Coil Recovery Furnace ........................................................................................142
A.4.1.7.3 Heat Shields on Transfer Tables ..........................................................................143
A.4.1.7.4 Strip Edge Heating...............................................................................................143
A.4.1.8 Rolling..........................................................................................................................144
A.4.1.8.1 Crop Optimisation System...................................................................................144
A.4.1.8.2 Work Roll Lubrication System ............................................................................145
A.4.1.8.3 Forced Interstand Strip Cooling...........................................................................145
A.4.1.8.4 Interstand Strip Tension Control..........................................................................145
A.4.1.8.5 Strip Profile and Flatness Control........................................................................146
A.4.1.8.6 Work Roll Cooling...............................................................................................147
A.4.1.8.7 Finishing Train Automation - Process- and Basic Automation ...........................148
A.4.1.8.8 Reduction of Fugitive Emissions / Oxide Removal System ................................148
A.4.1.8.9 Prevention of Hydrocarbon Contamination .........................................................149
A.4.1.8.10 Hydraulic Coilers Comprising Step Control ........................................................150
A.4.1.8.11 Shape Rolling / Plan View Control......................................................................150
A.4.1.8.12 On Line Heat Treatment (Accelerated Cooling) ..................................................151
A.4.1.8.13 Thermo Mechanical Rolling Operation ...............................................................151
A.4.1.9 Cooling Lines ...............................................................................................................152
A.4.1.9.1 Optimized Water Pumps for Laminar Flows .......................................................152
A.4.1.10 Subsequent Sheet Production .......................................................................................152
A.4.1.10.1 Leveller Dust Removal ........................................................................................152
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxix

A.4.1.11 Roll Shop ..................................................................................................................... 153
A.4.1.11.1 Good Operational Practice for Roll Shops .......................................................... 153
A.4.1.12 Water Treatment .......................................................................................................... 153
A.4.1.12.1 Reduction of Water Consumption and Discharge ............................................... 153
A.4.1.12.2 Treatment of Scale and Oil Bearing Process Water ............................................ 155
A.4.1.12.3 Cooling Water Treatment .................................................................................... 159
A.4.1.13 Waste/By-product Treatment and Recycling ............................................................... 160
A.4.1.13.1 Internal Recycling of Dry or Drained Oxides...................................................... 160
A.4.1.13.2 Recycling Technologies for Oily Mill Scale ....................................................... 161
A.4.2 COLD ROLLING Mill...................................................................................................... 163
A.4.2.1 Storage and Handling of Raw Materials and Auxiliaries............................................. 163
A.4.2.2 Pickling........................................................................................................................ 163
A.4.2.2.1 Reduction of Waste Water Volume Contaminant Loading ................................. 163
A.4.2.2.2 Reduction of Dust Emission at the Decoilers ...................................................... 164
A.4.2.2.3 Mechanical Pre-descaling.................................................................................... 164
A.4.2.2.4 Optimised Rinsing Procedure/ Cascade Rinsing ................................................. 166
A.4.2.2.5 Turbulence Pickling ............................................................................................ 166
A.4.2.2.6 Cleaning and Reuse of Acid Pickle Liquor ......................................................... 167
A.4.2.2.7 Hydrochloric Acid Regeneration by Spray Roasting .......................................... 168
A.4.2.2.8 Hydrochloric Acid Regeneration by Fluidised Bed............................................. 170
A.4.2.2.9 Effluent-free HCl Strip Pickling Plant................................................................. 170
A.4.2.2.10 Sulphuric Acid Recovery by Crystallization ....................................................... 172
A.4.2.2.11 Mixed Acid Regeneration by Spray Roasting ..................................................... 173
A.4.2.2.12 Mixed Acid (HNO3 and HF) Recovery by Ion Exchange ................................... 175
A.4.2.2.13 Mixed Acid (HNO3 and HF) Recovery by Diffusiondialysis.............................. 175
A.4.2.2.14 Mixed Acid Recovery by Evaporation ................................................................ 176
A.4.2.2.15 Electrolytic Pre-pickling for High Alloy Steel .................................................... 177
A.4.2.2.16 Cleaning and Reuse of Electrolytic Pickle Liquor .............................................. 178
A.4.2.2.17 External Use of Spent Acid Pickle liquor............................................................ 178
A.4.2.2.18 Reduction of Emissions from Pickling/Closed HCl and H2SO4 Pickling Tanks with
Exhaust Gas Scrubbing ....................................................................................... 179
A.4.2.2.19 Reduction of Emissions from Pickling/Closed Mixed Acid Pickling Tanks with
Exhaust Gas Scrubbing ....................................................................................... 180
A.4.2.2.20 Suppresion of NOx from Mixed Acid Pickling by Addition of H2O2 (or Urea) to
Pickling Bath ....................................................................................................... 181
A.4.2.2.21 NOx Reduction from Pickling by Selective Catalytic Reduction........................ 182
A.4.2.2.22 NOx Reduction from Pickling by Non-Selective Catalytic Reduction ............... 182
A.4.2.2.23 Nitric Acid Free Pickling of Stainless Steel ........................................................ 183
A.4.2.2.24 Optimized Oil Use for Low Alloy and Alloy Steel ............................................. 183
A.4.2.2.25 Magnetic Pumps (Low Alloy and Alloy Steel) ................................................... 184
A.4.2.2.26 Acid Heating by Heat Exchangers ...................................................................... 184
A.4.2.2.27 Acid Heating by Submerged Combustion ........................................................... 184
A.4.2.2.28 Treatment of Acidic Waste Water ....................................................................... 185
A.4.2.3 Rolling ......................................................................................................................... 186
A.4.2.3.1 Continuous instead of Conventional Discontinuous Rolling for Low Alloy and
Alloy Steel........................................................................................................... 186
A.4.2.3.2 Pickling Plant Coupled with the Tandem Mill .................................................... 187
A.4.2.3.3 Optimal Choice of Rolling Oil and Emulsion System......................................... 187
A.4.2.3.4 Continuous Monitoring of Emulsion Quality ...................................................... 188
A.4.2.3.5 Prevention of Contamination............................................................................... 188
A.4.2.3.6 Optimized Emulsion/Oil Use .............................................................................. 189
A.4.2.3.7 Cleaning and Reuse of Emulsion ........................................................................ 189
A.4.2.3.8 Treatment of Spent Emulsion.............................................................................. 190
A.4.2.3.9 Extraction of Oil Mist Emissions and Oil Separation ......................................... 193
A.4.2.3.10 Cooling Water Cycles/Special Cooling Water systems....................................... 193
A.4.2.4 Annealing..................................................................................................................... 195
A.4.2.4.1 Implementation of Degreasing Bath Cascades .................................................... 195
A.4.2.4.2 Hot Water Pre-degreasing ................................................................................... 195
A.4.2.4.3 Cleaning and Reuse of Degreasing Solution ....................................................... 195
A.4.2.4.4 Treatment of Spent Degreasing Bath and Alkaline Waste Water........................ 196
A.4.2.4.5 Extraction System for Degreasing Facilities ....................................................... 197
A.4.2.4.6 Special Cooling Water Systems and Water Reuse .............................................. 198
xxx October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

A.4.2.4.7Batch Annealing with 100 % Hydrogen ..............................................................198
A.4.2.4.8Continuous Instead of Batch Annealing ..............................................................198
A.4.2.4.9Preheating Combustion Air/Use of Regenerative or Recuperative Burners for
Annealing Furnace...............................................................................................198
A.4.2.4.10 Reduction in NOx Emission by Low-NOx burner...............................................199
A.4.2.4.11 Preheating the Feedstock .....................................................................................200
A.4.2.4.12 Heat Utilisation for Heating Degreasing Bath .....................................................201
A.4.2.5 Tempering ....................................................................................................................201
A.4.2.5.1 Optimisation of Emulsion System .......................................................................201
A.4.2.5.2 Change to Dry Temper Process ...........................................................................201
A.4.2.5.3 Cleaning of Temper Mill Emulsion .....................................................................202
A.4.2.5.4 Reduction of Oil Mist and Dust ...........................................................................202
A.4.2.6 Finishing.......................................................................................................................203
A.4.2.6.1 Capture and Abatement of Oil Mists from Oiling Operation...............................203
A.4.2.6.2 Electrostatic Oiling ..............................................................................................203
A.4.2.6.3 Optimization of Oil Spray....................................................................................203
A.4.2.6.4 Dust Reduction from Levelling and Welding ......................................................204
A.4.2.6.5 Optimised Finishing Operation............................................................................205
A.4.2.7 Roll Shop......................................................................................................................205
A.4.2.7.1 Cleaning and Reuse of Grinding Emulsion..........................................................205
A.4.2.7.2 Exhaust System (PRETEX/SBT).........................................................................205
A.4.2.7.3 Reduction and Recycling of Scrap.......................................................................205
A.4.3 Wire Mill............................................................................................................................206
A.4.3.1 Storage and Handling of Raw Materials and Auxiliaries .............................................206
A.4.3.2 Mechanical Descaling ..................................................................................................206
A.4.3.2.1 External Recycling of Scale.................................................................................206
A.4.3.3 Chemical Descaling / Pickling of Wire Rod ................................................................207
A.4.3.3.1 Optimum Range of Operation for HCl Pickling Baths ........................................207
A.4.3.3.2 Pickling Tank Fume Control................................................................................207
A.4.3.3.3 Treatment of Extracted Air from Pickling Tank Fume Control...........................208
A.4.3.3.4 Cascade Pickling..................................................................................................209
A.4.3.3.5 Minimizing Carry-out from Pickling ...................................................................209
A.4.3.3.6 Separation and Reuse of Free Acid Fraction........................................................210
A.4.3.3.7 Regeneration of Spent Acid .................................................................................210
A.4.3.3.8 Reuse of Spent Acid as Secondary Raw material ................................................211
A.4.3.3.9 Minimize Rinsing Water Consumption by Cascade Rinsing...............................211
A.4.3.4 Shot Blast Descaling: Separation of Scale and Blast media.........................................212
A.4.3.5 Dry Drawing.................................................................................................................213
A.4.3.5.1 Control of Air Emissions from Drawing Machines / Treatment of Extracted Air
.............................................................................................................................213
A.4.3.5.2 Closed Loop for Cooling Water...........................................................................213
A.4.3.6 Wet Drawing ................................................................................................................214
A.4.3.6.1 Closed Loop for Cooling Water...........................................................................214
A.4.3.6.2 Cleaning of Drawing Lubricant / Coolant............................................................214
A.4.3.6.3 Treatment of Waste Drawing Lubricant: Oil and Oil emulsions .........................215
A.4.3.6.4 Treatment and Disposal of Waste Drawing Lubricant: Soap Emulsions .............215
A.4.3.7 Batch Annealing of Wire..............................................................................................216
A.4.3.7.1 Burn Purge of Protective Gas ..............................................................................216
A.4.3.8 Continuous (In-line) Annealing of Low Carbon Wire .................................................216
A.4.3.8.1 Lead-bath: Good Housekeeping ..........................................................................216
A.4.3.8.2 Recycling of Pb-containing Residues ..................................................................217
A.4.3.8.3 Operation of Quench Bath and Treatment of Waste Water from Quench baths
from In-Line Annealing .......................................................................................218
A.4.3.9 Continuous (In-line) Annealing of Stainless Steel Wire ..............................................218
A.4.3.9.1 Burn Purge of Protective Gas ..............................................................................218
A.4.3.10 Patenting.......................................................................................................................218
A.4.3.10.1 Optimised Operation of the Oven ........................................................................218
A.4.3.10.2 Lead-bath: Good Housekeeping ..........................................................................219
A.4.3.10.3 Recycling of Pb-containing Residues ..................................................................219
A.4.3.10.4 Operation of Quench Bath and Treatment of Waste Water from Quench Baths of
Patenting Line ......................................................................................................219
A.4.3.11 Oil Hardening and Tempering......................................................................................219
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxxi

A.4.3.11.1 Burn Purge of Protective Gas .............................................................................. 219
A.4.3.11.2 Extraction of Oil Mists from Quench Baths and Abatement............................... 219
A.4.3.12 Heat Treatment of wire (different processes)............................................................... 220
A.4.3.12.1 Inductive Heating of Wire ................................................................................... 220
A.4.3.13 In-line Pickling ............................................................................................................ 221
A.5 Best Available Techniques for Hot and Cold Forming ........................................................... 223
A.5.1 Hot Rolling Mill ................................................................................................................ 224
A.5.2 Cold Rolling Mill .............................................................................................................. 229
A.5.3 Wire plant.......................................................................................................................... 234
A.6 Emerging Techniques for Hot and Cold Forming................................................................... 237
A.6.1 Hot Rolling Mill ................................................................................................................ 237
A.6.1.1 Scarfing and Grinding.................................................................................................. 237
A.6.1.2 Reheating Furnace ....................................................................................................... 237
A.6.1.2.1 Flameless Burner................................................................................................. 237
A.6.1.2.2 Ultra Low-NOx Burner ....................................................................................... 237
A.6.1.2.3 Water Injection.................................................................................................... 237
A.6.1.2.4 Shell de-NOx Process.......................................................................................... 238
A.6.1.2.5 Regenerative Active Coal Process....................................................................... 238
A.6.1.2.6 Degussa H2O2 Process......................................................................................... 238
A.6.1.2.7 Bio–de-NOx Process ........................................................................................... 238
A.6.1.3 Descaling ..................................................................................................................... 238
A.6.1.3.1 Rotor Descaling................................................................................................... 238
A.6.1.4 Hot Rolling and Water Treatment................................................................................ 239
A.6.1.4.1 Endless Rolling ................................................................................................... 239
A.6.1.4.2 Strip Casting Procedure....................................................................................... 240
A.6.1.4.3 By-product Recycling.......................................................................................... 243
A.6.2 Cold Rolling Mill .............................................................................................................. 245
A.6.2.1 Pickling........................................................................................................................ 245
A.6.2.1.1 Hydro-abrasive Pre-descaling (Ishi Clean).......................................................... 245
A.6.2.1.2 Pre-descaling by Ferromagnetic Abrasive........................................................... 245
A.6.3 Wire Plant.......................................................................................................................... 246
A.7 Concluding remarks ................................................................................................................ 247
xxxii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

List of figures
Figure A.1-1: Hot and Cold Formed Products covered by this BREF .........................................................1
Figure A.1-2: CR Strip production in 1994 ..................................................................................................7
Figure A.1-3: Slit strip production ...............................................................................................................8
Figure A.2-1: Overview of Hot Rolled Products........................................................................................12
Figure A.2-2: Typical designs for Hot Strip Mills......................................................................................14
Figure A.2-3: Typical STECKEL Mill configuration ................................................................................15
Figure A.2-4: STECKEL Mill with coiling furnaces .................................................................................15
Figure A.2-5: Planetary Mill (SENDZIMIR) .............................................................................................16
Figure A.2-6: Typical Plate Mill configuration ..........................................................................................17
Figure A.2-7: Typical layout of a Wire Rod Mill.......................................................................................18
Figure A.2-8: Profiled rolls for sheet piling sections..................................................................................19
Figure A.2-9: Universal stands for parallel flanged products.....................................................................20
Figure A.2-10: Plant layout of a Heavy Section Mill .................................................................................20
Figure A.2-11: Plant layout of a Heavy/Medium Section Mill for sheet piling .........................................21
Figure A.2-12: Examples of beam blanks cross sections ...........................................................................21
Figure A.2-13: Mandrel mill ......................................................................................................................22
Figure A.2-14: Plug mill.............................................................................................................................23
Figure A.2-15: Flow sheet for continuous tube production........................................................................24
Figure A.2-16: Tube welding processes .....................................................................................................25
Figure A.2-17: Pit furnace..........................................................................................................................27
Figure A.2-18: Pusher type furnace............................................................................................................28
Figure A.2-19: Walking beam furnace .......................................................................................................28
Figure A.2-20: Typical design of rotary hearth furnace .............................................................................29
Figure A.2-21: Roller arrangement of wire rod finishing section ..............................................................31
Figure A.2-22: Different types of water cooling ........................................................................................32
Figure A.2-23: Example of a once through water system ..........................................................................33
Figure A.2-24: Example of semi-closed water circuit................................................................................34
Figure A.2-25: Example of closed circuit water system.............................................................................35
Figure A.2-26: Water loops for hot strip rolling mill .................................................................................35
Figure A.2-27: Use of water loops in a hot rolling mill..............................................................................36
Figure A.2-28: Typical configurations of cold rolled strip mills................................................................39
Figure A.2-29: Cold rolling process line with continuous annealing .........................................................40
Figure A.2-30: Schematic of a continuous pickling line ............................................................................41
Figure A.2-31: Schematic of a hood-type annealing furnace .....................................................................46
Figure A.2-32: Example of a continuous annealing furnace ......................................................................47
Figure A.2-33: General emulsion flow.......................................................................................................50
Figure A.2-34: Degreasing solution flow (continuous annealing line).......................................................51
Figure A.2-35: Cooling water system for a cold mill .................................................................................52
Figure A.2-36: Cooling water system for HCl-pickling and batch annealing ............................................52
Figure A.2-37: Cooling water system for a continuous annealing line ......................................................52
Figure A.2-38: Production of low carbon galvanized wire.........................................................................54
Figure A.2-39: Production of high carbon galvanized wire .......................................................................55
Figure A.3-1: Input/output overview for hot rolling mills..........................................................................61
Figure A.3-2: Sankey diagram for a typical reheat furnace as reported in [StTimes 6/93] ........................64
Figure A.3-3: Oily material balance of a typical steel mill as repoted in [DFIU 96] .................................68
Figure A.3-4: Input/output overview for cold rolling mills........................................................................73
Figure A.3-5: Flow sheet for HCl pickling and acid regeneration .............................................................75
Figure A.3-6: Flow sheet for H2SO4 pickling and regeneration .................................................................77
Figure A.3-7: Flow sheet for stainless steel pickling with HNO3-HF acid (incl. recovery) .......................79
Figure A.4-1: Scarfing abatement flowsheet (example with wet EP).......................................................106
Figure A.4-2: Grinding abatement flowsheet ...........................................................................................108
Figure A.4-3: Schematic of waste heat boiler ..........................................................................................124
Figure A.4-4: Typical schematic of evaporative furnace skid cooling .....................................................127
Figure A.4-5: Principle of slab preheating by waste gas ..........................................................................128
Figure A.4-6: Modified storage to increase charge temperature ..............................................................130
Figure A.4-7: Material flow: cold versus hot charging ............................................................................131
Figure A.4-8: Schematic of the CSP process............................................................................................134
Figure A.4-9: Schematic of the ISP process.............................................................................................135
Figure A.4-10: AWC-operation................................................................................................................140
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxxiii

Figure A.4-11: Coil box arrangement ...................................................................................................... 142
Figure A.4-12: Crop optimisation system ................................................................................................ 144
Figure A.4-13: Example of a water recirculation system for a hot rolling mill ....................................... 157
Figure A.4-14: Treatment of back-washing water ................................................................................... 158
Figure A.4-15: Different type of pickling tanks....................................................................................... 166
Figure A.4-16: Dependence of rinse water utilisation on iron content .................................................... 171
Figure A.4-17: Example of effluent-free HCl pickling and acid regeneration......................................... 172
Figure A.4-18: Spent emulsion splitting system ...................................................................................... 191
Figure A.4-19: Spent degreasing solution flow (example of a continuous annealing line)...................... 196
Figure A.6-1: Diagrammatic view of the endless hot strip rolling process.............................................. 239
Figure A.6-2: Double-roller pilot plant.................................................................................................... 240
Figure A.6-3: Casting Pressing Rolling (CPR) pilot plant....................................................................... 241
xxxiv October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

List of tables
Table A.1-1: Production of Flat Products in EU 15 in 1996 ........................................................................2

Table A.1-2: Size distribution of Flat Product manufacturing facilities.......................................................2
Table A.1-3: Production of Long Products in EU 15 in 1996 ......................................................................3
Table A.1-4: Size distribution of Long Product manufacturing facilities.....................................................3
Table A.1-5: Steel Tube production, number of plants and employees........................................................4
Table A.1-6: Number and size of tube plants in 1994 ..................................................................................5
Table A.1-7: CR Sheet and Strip production in 1996...................................................................................5
Table A.1-8: Number and nominal capacity of CR Mills.............................................................................6
Table A.1-9: Distribution and average company size of Cold Rolling Strip plants .....................................6
Table A.1-10: Production of CR strip and slit strip......................................................................................7
Table A.1-11: Wire drawing industry in the EU ..........................................................................................9
Table A.2-1: Semi-finished product mills ..................................................................................................13
Table A.3-1: Consumption and emission levels for surface preparation ....................................................62
Table A.3-2: Consumption and emission levels for reheating/heat treatment furnaces..............................65
Table A.3-3: Consumption and emission levels for descaling ...................................................................66
Table A.3-4: Consumption and emission levels for hot rolling..................................................................67
Table A.3-5: Consumption and emission levels of the water treatment plant ............................................69
Table A.3-6: Waste generated in hot rolling mills and utilisation rates .....................................................70
Table A.3-7: Consumption and emission levels for HCl pickling plants (incl. regeneration) ....................76
Table A.3-8: Consumption and emission levels for waste water treatment in HCl-pickling plants ...........77
Table A.3-9: Consumption and emission levels for H2SO4 pickling plants (incl. regeneration) ................78
Table A.3-10: Consumption and emission levels for waste water treatment in H2SO4 pickling plants......78
Table A.3-11: Consumption and emission levels for mixed acid pickling and recovery ...........................80
Table A.3-12: Consumption and emission levels from tandem mills with emulsion system .....................81
Table A.3-13: Consumption and emission levels from reversing mills......................................................82
Table A.3-14: Consumption and emission levels from reversing mills......................................................82
Table A.3-15: Consumption and emission levels from degreasing ............................................................83
Table A.3-16: Consumption and emission levels from batch annealing ....................................................83
Table A.3-17: Consumption and emission levels from continuous annealing............................................84
Table A.3-18: Consumption and emission levels of continuous annealing furnaces..................................85
Table A.3-19: Consumption and emission levels from Pickling and annealing of high alloy steel ...........86
Table A.3-20: Consumption and emission levels from tempering .............................................................87
Table A.3-21: Consumption and emission levels from finishing ...............................................................87
Table A.3-22: Consumption and emission levels from the roll shop..........................................................88
Table A.3-23: Consumption and emission levels from hydraulic fluid and lubricant systems...................88
Table A.3-24: Waste water discharge from cold rolling mills....................................................................89
Table A.3-25: Waste generated in cold rolling mills and utilisation rates..................................................91
Table A.3-26: Input/Output balance for a wire mill ...................................................................................93
Table A.3-27: Consumption and emission levels for mechanical descaling ..............................................94
Table A.3-28: Consumption and emission levels for chemical descaling ..................................................95
Table A.3-29: Consumption and emission levels for the application of soap carrier .................................96
Table A.3-30: Consumption and emission levels for dry drawing .............................................................96
Table A.3-31: Consumption and emission levels for wet drawing.............................................................97
Table A.3-32: Consumption and emission levels for bell and pot furnaces ...............................................99
Table A.3-33: Consumption and emission levels for lead baths ..............................................................100
Table A.3-34: Consumption and emission levels for in-line HCl pickling ..............................................100
Table A.3-35: Consumption and emission levels for patenting................................................................101
Table A.3-36: Qualitative input / output balance for oil hardening..........................................................101
Table A.3-37: Qualitative input / output balance for annealing of stainless steel ....................................102
Table A.3-38: Qualitative input / output balance for stress relieving.......................................................102
Table A.4-1: Operational data and achievable emission levels for dust from scarfing operation ............107
Table A.4-2: Operational data and achievable emissions for dust reduction from grinding ....................108
Table A.4-3: Comparison of amount of scarfing with/without CAQC.....................................................109
Table A.4-4: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for furnace automation...............................114
Table A.4-5: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for regenerative systems ............................116
Table A.4-6: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for recuperators and recuperative burners..117
Table A.4-7: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for low-NOx burners..................................119
Table A.4-8: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for waste heat boilers .................................125
Table A.4-9: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for evaporative furnace skid cooling..........127
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxxv

Table A.4-10: Effect of hot charging on fuel consumption and residence time....................................... 132
Table A.4-11: Investment costs for for hot charging ............................................................................... 133
Table A.4-12: Thin slab casting plants (by July 1995) ............................................................................ 136
Table A.4-13: Comparison of consumption figures for conventional and thin slab production route ..... 137
Table A.4-14: Achieved emission levels and operational data for oxide removal systems ..................... 149
Table A.4-15: Typical reduction of fugitive emissions by water spraying .............................................. 149
Table A.4-16: Typically achieved effluent levels for different water treatment systems......................... 154
Table A.4-17: Estimated costs for different water treatment plants......................................................... 154
Table A.4-18: Pollutant concentration in the water circuit ...................................................................... 156
Table A.4-19: Concentration of effluents from treatment of back-washing water................................... 158
Table A.4-20: Pollutant reduction for several waste water treatments..................................................... 159
Table A.4-21: Dust emission levels achieved at shot blasting unit using fabric filters............................ 165
Table A.4-22: Consumption and emission levels for HCl spray roasting ................................................ 169
Table A.4-23: Emissions to air from HCl spray roasting......................................................................... 169
Table A.4-24: Consumption and emission levels for H2SO4 vacuum crystallisation............................... 173
Table A.4-25: Emissions to air from H2SO4 vacuum crystallisation ....................................................... 173
Table A.4-26: Consumption and emissions of mixed acid regeneration by spray roasting ..................... 174
Table A.4-27: Consumption and emission levels for mixed acid recovery by ion exchange................... 175
Table A.4-28: Consumption and emission levels for mixed acid recovery by evaporation..................... 177
Table A.4-29: Emission levels achieved for HCl pickling by absorption towers .................................... 179
Table A.4-30: Emission levels achieved for HCl pickling by absorption towers .................................... 180
Table A.4-31: Estimated costs for counter-current water scrubbing in packed columns ......................... 180
Table A.4-32: Achievable emission levels by H2O2 injection ................................................................. 181
Table A.4-33: Pollutant concentration in water discharge of HCl pickling and regeneration plants ....... 185
Table A.4-34: Pollutant concentration in water discharge of HCl pickling and regeneration plants ....... 186
Table A.4-35: Pollutant concentration in water discharge of H2SO4 pickling and regeneration plants ... 186
Table A.4-36: Operational data for electrolytic emulsion splitting.......................................................... 192
Table A.4-37: Achievable emission levels for emulsion fume separation at rolling mills....................... 193
Table A.4-38: Consumption and emission levels for the cooling water system of a tandem mill ........... 194
Table A.4-39: Operational and effluent data for degreasing bath cleaning by ultrafiltration .................. 196
Table A.4-40: Operational and effluent data for alkaline waste water treatment..................................... 197
Table A.4-41: Achievable emission levels with low-NOx burners on batch anealing furnaces .............. 200
Table A.4-42: Achievable emission levels with low-NOx burners on continuous annealing furnaces ... 200
Table A.4-43: Achievable emission levels for fabric droplet separators ................................................. 202
Table A.6-1: Comparison of selected parameters of different casting technologies................................ 240
Table A.6-2: Development projects in strip casting................................................................................. 241
xxxvi October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

PART A
Hot and Cold Forming
(Rolling and Drawing of Steel)

Part A/Chapter 1
A.1 GENERAL INFORMATION ON HOT AND COLD

FORMING
The hot and cold forming part of the ferrous metal processing sector comprises different
manufacturing methods, like hot rolling, cold rolling and drawing of steel. A great variety of
semi-finished and finished products with different lines of production is manufactured.
Literature dealing with the ferrous metals sector uses different ways of splitting and structuring
the sector and for delivering data. Some reports distinguish with regard to the forming process:
hot - cold; or with regard to the shape of the final product: flat - long.
Others (e.g. NACE 1) separate in groups: iron and steel production (including most of the hot
and cold rolled products as well as continuous coated strip), manufacture of steel tubes and
'other first processing of steel' (cold drawing, cold rolling of narrow strip, wire drawing etc.).
To put together general information on the sector, statistical data (productivity, number/ size of
plants, distribution etc.) and economic information is difficult as most of the available sources
for data use different basis and different splitting of the sector, thus making it impossible to
compare the given data.
To present the general information on the hot and cold forming sector in this BREF, an outline
in accordance with the manufactured products; as is shown in Figure A.1-1, was chosen.
Tubes
Hot Rolled Cold Rolled

Flat Products Flat Products
Hot and Cold Forming

of Ferrous Metals
Hot Rolled Cold Drawn

Long Products Long Products
Wire
Figure A.1-1: Hot and Cold Formed Products covered by this BREF
1
General industrial classification of economic activities within the European Community
GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 1

Part A/Chapter 1
A.1.1 Hot Rolled Flat Products
The total production of hot rolled (HR) products in the EU decreased from 131.7 million tonnes
in 1994 [EGKS95] to 127.8 million tonnes in 1996 [Stat97]. Roughly, 62 % of these HR
products fall into the category: flats with an annual production of 79.2 million tonnes. Table
A.1-1 presents production data for individual flat products for each Member State in 1996.
HR Wide Flats HR Narrow HR Wide HR Plate Total HR Flat

Strip Strip Products
[1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t]
Austria 0 0 2621 340 2961
Belgium 0 0 9350 566 9916
Denmark 0 0 0 388 388
Finland 0 0 1670 576 2246
France 1 0 9871 845 10717
Germany 103 623 19138 2748 22612
Greece 0 9 346 4 359
Ireland 0 0 0 0 0
Italy 185 48 8061 1385 9679
Luxembourg 0 0 0 0 0
Netherlands 0 0 4136 15 4151
Portugal 0 0 0 0 0
Sweden 46 32 2832 569 3479
Spain 0 190 3385 575 4150
UK 88 145 7396 958 8587
Total 423 1047 68806 8969 79245
Reference year 1996
Table A.1-1: Production of Flat Products in EU 15 in 1996

[Stat97]
Regarding the total production of HR flats, Germany is the largest manufacturer with more than
double the production of the follow-up producers (France, Belgium, Italy and UK). The vast
majority of HR flat products is wide strip.
Beginning of 1993 74 production units for flats were in operation in EU 12. Number and size of
these plants are given in Table A.1-2.
Total number Total average hourly Number of plants with

of plants technical capacity an average hourly
[t/h] technical capacity
over 20t/h
Narrow Strip Mills 17 45 15
Wide Strip Mills 25 474 25
Heavy and Medium 32 109 23
Plate Mills
Sheet Mills 7 12
Universal Flat Mill 2 31
Re-rolling Mills for 8 677
Hot Wide Strip
Table A.1-2: Size distribution of Flat Product manufacturing facilities

[EUROSTAT]
2 October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

Part A/Chapter 1
A.1.2 Hot Rolled Long Products
The remaining 38 % of HR products are categorized as long products. Production figures for all
Members States are given in Table A.1-3.
Track Heavy sections/ Reinforcing Merchant Wire rod HR Long

Material profiles Steel Bars Bars Products
[1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t]
Austria 238 0 159 90 389 876
Belgium 0 61 8 174 805 1048
Denmark 0 0 58 158 0 216
Finland 1 0 91 210 294 596
France 255 303 923 1215 1766 4462
Germany 243 1914 1566 1287 5268 10278
Greece 0 0 635 56 197 888
Ireland 0 311 0 0 0 311
Italy 106 927 3725 3538 3270 11566
Luxembourg 55 1255 282 260 463 2315
Netherlands 0 0 453 0 152 605
Portugal 0 0 523 0 138 661
Sweden 48 17 128 587 107 887
Spain 64 1180 2315 1381 1883 6823
UK 211 1951 650 2071 2147 7030
Total 1221 7919 11516 11027 16879 48562
Table A.1-3: Production of Long Products in EU 15 in 1996

[Stat97]
The two major manufacturing countries are Italy and Germany followed by UK and Spain. The
largest part of the long products sector in tonnage terms is the production of wire rod which
stands for roughly a third of the total production followed by reinforcing bars and merchant bars
with an approximate share of one quarter of the production each.
Table A.1-4 compiles the size distribution for the long product manufacturing facilities. In 1993
a total of 306 units were in operation.
Hourly technical < 20 20 - 39 40 - 59 60 - 79 80 - 99 100 - 119 120 – 139 >=140 Total

capacity (HTC) [t/h]
Long Products* 89 56 53 44 28 14 10 12 306
Heavy Sections only 3 2 5 4 3 6 1 3 27
Wire Rod only 4 7 7 8 5 3 2 3 39
Wire rod + reinforcing 0 3 3 2 4 0 4 3 19
bars in coils
HTC [t/h] < 30 30 - 49 50 - 69 70 - 89 >=90 Total
Heavy Sections + 3 2 4 3 1 13
Merchant Bars
HTC [t/h] < 20 20 - 39 40 - 59 60 - 79 80 - 89 >=90 Total
Merchant Bars only 55 12 12 7 2 1 89
HTC [t/h] < 20 20-39 40 - 59 60 - 79 80 - 99 100 - 149 Total
Merchant Bars + 3 5 4 2 7 2 23
Reinforcing Bars in
length
*
except extrusion presses, forging machinery and sheet piling profiling lines.
Table A.1-4: Size distribution of Long Product manufacturing facilities

[EUROSTAT]

Part A/Chapter 1
A.1.3 Tubes
With a production accounting for 20.9 % of the world's total production, the EU is the largest
manufacturer of steel tubes followed by Japan and the U.S. The European steel tube industry
has a highly concentrated structure. Five countries - Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom
and Spain - account for roughly 90 % of the total EU production. In some countries, a single
company can account for 50 % or more of the national output. In addition to the major
integrated steel tube manufacturers (mainly producing welded tubes), there are a relatively large
number of small and medium-sized firms that are independent. Some manufacturers, often small
in tonnage terms, operating in high value added markets, concentrate on the manufacture of
special dimensions and grades of tubes according to particular customer specifications. At the
end of 1994, there were 280 production units in the EU belonging to an estimated 245
enterprises. Of these, 67 were specialised in cold drawing of seamless or welded tubes. [Pan97]
Statistical information from the European Steel Tube Association -for 1994 and the EU 12 -
refer to 252 production sites belonging to estimated 193 companies. [CEAM]
Steel tubes cover three product categories, which differ considerably in manufacturing process,
raw materials, and investment requirements. These categories are classified as:
· Seamless tubes.
· Welded steel tubes of circular cross-section over 406.4 mm in outside diameter.
· Welded steel tubes of circular cross -section up to and including 406.4 mm in outside
diameter together with welded steel tubes of non-circular cross-section of any perimeter.
It should be noted that sometimes tubes of different categories (e.g. seamless and welded tubes)
and of different grade (e.g. commercial grade, high quality) are manufactured in the same mill.
About 26.4 % of the tubes produced are seamless tubes, of the remaining 73.6 % welded tubes
about 18.9 % are of large diameter. The major part of the total steel tube sector is small
diameter tubes with a share of 54.7 %. [CEAM]
Table A.1-5 shows the steel tube production and number of sites and number of employees for
individual Member States.
Seamless Welded Steel Total Steel Number of Number of

Steel Tubes Tubes Tubes Production Employees
[1000 t]1 [1000 t]1 [1000 t]1 sites2 2
Austria 234 255 489 N/A N/A

Belgium --- 118 118 3 554
Denmark --- 60 60 4 1100
Finland --- 330 330 N/A N/A
France 566 834 1400 32 8785
Germany 1295 1991 3286 65 22774
Greece N/A N/A N/A 26 840
Ireland N/A N/A N/A 1 45
Italy 711 2508 3219 49 9050
Luxembourg --- 95 95 N/A N/A
Netherlands --- 393 393 5 775
Portugal --- --- ---- 2 380
Sweden 131 90 221 N/A N/A
Spain 242 662 904 29 4200
UK 73 1215 1288 36 6325
Total 3252 8551 11803 252 54828
1
reference year 1996
2
reference year 1994
Table A.1-5: Steel Tube production, number of plants and employees

[CEAM]

Part A/Chapter 1
As can be seen in Table A.1-6, welded steel tube producing plants are predominantly small and
medium sized plants with only 22 out of 161 plants having more than 500 employees. With
seamless tube producing plants this effect is not as obvious, as 13 out of 32 plants can be
characterized as large plants.
Number of Companies
Small Plants Medium Large Total
(< 100 *) (100 - 499*) (500 - 999*) (>1000*)
Seamless tubes 5 14 6 7 32
Welded Steel 78 61 14 8 161
Tubes:
Welded Tubes
OD> 406.6mm 6 17 2 2 27
Welded Tubes
OD≤≤ 406.4mm 72 44 12 6 134
Total 83 75 20 15 193
*
Number of Employees
Table A.1-6: Number and size of tube plants in 1994

[CEAM]
A.1.4 Cold Rolled Flat Products
The total production of cold rolled products in 1994 was 39.7 million tonnes in EU 15.
Production of stainless and electrical sheet stood at 2.3 and 1.14 million tonnes respectively,
representing 6.4 % and 3.2 % of the total. [EGKS95]
Cold rolled wide strip

Cold rolled sheets and plates production was 39.6 millions tonnes in 1996. [EUROFER CR]
Table A.1-7 gives the production of cold rolled sheet and strip for individual Member States.
The number and production capacity for different cold rolling mills in the EU is shown in.
Table A.1-8.
Production of Cold Rolled Sheet and Strip

[1000 t]
Austria 1289
Belgium 3852
Denmark 0
Finland 890
France 6296
Germany 10615
Greece 380
Ireland 0
Italy 4271
Luxembourg 336
Netherlands 2088
Portugal 202
Sweden 1174
Spain 3093
UK 4026
Total 38512
Table A.1-7: CR Sheet and Strip production in 1996
[Stat97]

Part A/Chapter 1
Number of Average Hourly Scheduled for

Mills Technical capacity Close-down after
[t/h] 1993
Wide Strip Tandem Mills 44 138 2
Wide Strip Reversing 36 31 --
Quatro High Mills
Wide Strip Multiple- 43 16 --
Cylinder Cold Mills
Skin Pass Mills 91 63 4
Table A.1-8: Number and nominal capacity of CR Mills

[EUROSTAT]
Cold rolled (narrow) strip
The number of companies declined from 166 in 1989 to 141 in 1995 with 61 plants in Germany,
22 in Italy, 16 in UK, 15 in Belgium/Luxembourg, 13 in France, 10 in Spain, 2 in Greece, 1 in
Portugal and 1 in Netherlands. Production in the EU was 2.98 million t in 1994. [Pan97]
Cold rolled strip production can be divided into different production sectors: cold rolling narrow
hot strip with a width of less than 500 mm (further referred to as CR strip) and cold rolling wide
hot rolled sheet and subsequent slitting (further referred to as slit strip). Around two thirds of
the total narrow strip requirement in the EU is produced by slitting wide sheet. [Bed95]
The cold rolled strip industry in the EU (15) is both concentrated and fragmented. The largest
10 companies account for 50 % of the production while another 140 companies account for the
remaining 50 %. The structure of the sector is marked by national differences in company size
and industry concentration. For example in France, small companies are producing specialist
high value strip products whilst in Spain a significant number of larger companies is producing
lower value strip. Most of the largest companies are situated in Germany, which is dominating
the market with about 57 % of the EU (15) production (1.57 million tonnes in 1994). The
majority of companies, however, can be classified as small or medium-sized enterprises.
[Bed95]
The distribution and average size of companies in the EU is given in Table A.1-9.
Number of CR Average Production per Average Number of

Strip Producers Company [1000 t] Employees
Germany 60 26 167
Italy 22 18 58
UK 16 13 73
Spain 10 18 80
France 13 7 80
Rest of the EU 30 11 70
Total EU (15) 151 18 109
Reference year 1994
Table A.1-9: Distribution and average company size of Cold Rolling Strip plants
[Bed95]
The production of cold rolled strip in EU (15) for 1994 was estimated to be 2.77 million tonnes
with

Part A/Chapter 1
· 2.09 million tonne of non-alloy steel strips (C-content < 0.25 %)

· 0.46 million tonne of non-alloy steel strips (C-content > 0.25 %)
· 0.12 million tonnes of coated steel strip.
· 0.10 million tonnes of HSS and other alloy strips.
A breakdown of the total strip production (CR rolled strip and slit strip) by countries is given in
Table A.1-10, Figure A.1-2 and Figure A.1-3.
CR Strip Production Slit Strip Production Total Strip production

[1000 t] [1000 t] [1000 t]
Germany 1570 1950 3520
Italy 390 900 1290
UK 210 500 710
Spain 180 330 510
France 90 900 990
Rest of EU: 320 970 1290
Sweden 140
Benelux 100
Greece 30
Portugal 30
Finland 10
Austria 10
Total 2760 5550 8310
Reference year 1994
Table A.1-10: Production of CR strip and slit strip

[Bed95]
CR Strip Production [million tonnes]
Rest of EU:
12%
France
3%
Spain Germany
7% Italy
United Kingdom United Kingdom
8% Germany Spain
56% France
Italy Rest of EU:
14%
Figure A.1-2: CR Strip production in 1994

[Bed95]

Part A/Chapter 1
Slit Strip Production [million tonnes]
Rest of EU:
17%
Germany Germany
36% Italy
France United Kingdom
16% Spain
France
Spain
6% Rest of EU:
United Kingdom Italy

9% 16%
Figure A.1-3: Slit strip production

[Bed95]
A.1.5 Cold Drawn Long Products/ Bright Steel Bars
The production of bright steel bars in the EU was about 2.4 million tonnes in 1994. The number
of companies declined from 154 in 1988 to 130 in 1995 with a number of 46 companies in
Germany, 26 in Spain, 25 in Italy, 15 in United Kingdom, 14 in France, 2 in Portugal, 1 in
Denmark and 1 in Belgium. Bright steel bars are used by industries such as the manufacture of
motor vehicles, machinery, electrical goods and other industries, where high quality basic
material is compulsory. [Pan97]
A.1.6 Wire
The European Union has the world largest wire drawing industry, followed by Japan and North
America. It produces about 6 million tonnes of wire per year. Including the various wire
products, like barbed wire, grill, fencing, netting, nails etc, the production of the sector reaches
more than 7 million tonnes per year. The European wire drawing industry is characterised by a
large number of medium sized, specialised companies with an average of 121 employees and an
annual turnover of ECU 13.7 million per company. The industry’s output, however, is
dominated by a few large producers. It is estimated that about 5 % of the companies account for
70 % of the industry’s output (25 % of the companies for 90 %).
Over the past 10 years, independent wire drawing companies have become increasingly
vertically integrated. Downstream wire drawing and producing finished wire products have
shown a high degree of integration, but also upstream there has been some integration between
steel making and wire rod producing industries and wire drawing. Approximately 6 % of the
wire drawers in Europe are integrated producers representing about 75 % of the total production
of steel wire [C.E.T].
The largest producer of steel wire is Germany with 32 % of the wire production followed by
Italy (approx. 22 %), UK, Benelux (mainly Belgium), France and Spain. Other Member States
which have a small wire drawing industry are Sweden, Austria, Greece and Portugal. The

Part A/Chapter 1
distribution of wire drawing installations in EU, size and number of plants for individual
Member States is given in Table A.1-11.
Wire Production Wire Products Number of Average number of

[1000 t]1 [1000 t]1 plants2 employees per plant2
Austria 120 115 2 N/A.
Benelux 619 246 20 325
Denmark N/A. N/A. N/A. N/A.
Finland N/A. N/A. N/A. N/A.
France 406 102 36 136
Germany 1908 89 85 125
Greece 140 60 2 N/A.
Ireland N/A. N/A. N/A. N/A.
Italy 1250 300 74 58
Portugal 82 30 2 N/A.
Sweden 135 63 11 85
Spain 463 138 26 N/A.
UK 735 105 25 110
Total 5858 1248 283 121
1
reference year 1996
2
reference year 1994
Table A.1-11: Wire drawing industry in the EU

[C.E.T.] [Euro-Strategy]

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2 APPLIED PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES IN HOT AND

COLD FORMING
Hot and cold forming activities covered in this BREF are hot rolling, cold rolling and drawing
of steel.
A.2.1 Hot Rolling Mills
A.2.1.1 Process Overview
In hot rolling the size, shape and metallurgical properties of the steel slabs, blooms, billets or
ingots are changed by repeatedly compressing the hot metal (temperature ranging from 1050 to
1300 Co) between electrically powered rollers. The steel input for hot rolling differs in form
and shape, depending on the process route and on the product to be manufactured:
Cast ingots, predominantly with square cross section, are used for the manufacture of slabs and
blooms on slabbing-/ blooming mills. Slabs and blooms are further processed to plates or strips
on other rolling mills. Nowadays, the use of cast ingots and slabbing/blooming is decreasing as
continuous casting has made this step obsolete. Approximately 93.7 percent (1995) of the crude
steel produced in Europe is cast continuously into semi-finished products such as slabs, blooms
or billets. Only a minor part is cast into discrete moulds to produce ingots for some special
products (e.g. heavy plates).
Slabs (400 up to 2500 mm wide and 40 to 500 mm thick) are semi-finished, continuous cast
products for the rolling of flat products.
Billets (of square or rectangular shape with cross sections of 2500 mm2 to 14400 mm² (50 x 50
mm to 120 x 120 mm)) and blooms (of square or rectangular shape with cross sections of 14000
mm² up to approx. 100000 mm² (120 x 120 mm up to 250 x 400 mm)) are semi-finished
continuous cast products used for the rolling of long products.
Beam blanks (with dimensions of 170 x 240 mm up to 500 x 1120 mm) are continuously cast
to near net shape. Beam blanks are used for rolling of long products. [EUROFER HR]
Hot rolling mills usually comprise the following process steps:
· Conditioning of the input (scarfing, grinding).

· Heating to rolling temperature.
· Descaling.
· Rolling (roughing including width reduction, rolling to final dimension and properties).
· Finishing (trimming, slitting, cutting).
Products obtained from hot rolling are usually classified in two basic types according to their
shape: flat and long products. Tubes, are also covered by the term 'long product' in this
document.
Figure A.2-1 shows an overview of products manufactured for various purposes and
applications.

Part A/Chapter 2
Wide Flats
Heavy Plate
thickness > 3 mm
Metal Sheet
Flat Products Plates/Sheets
thickness 0.5 … 3
Black Plate/Tinplate
thickness < 0.5 mm
Hot Wide Strip

width > 600 mm
Strip
(Narrow) Steel Strip
width < 600 mm
Profiles/Sections
height > 80
Rails
Structural Steel height > 80
Special Profiles/Section
height > 80
Profiles
height < 80
Bars/Merchant Round Bars

Long Products Bars Square-/Rectangular Bars/
Bars div. Cross sections
Flat Bars
thick > 5 mm, width < 150
Sheet Piling
Wire Rod
Seamless Tubes
Tubes
Welded Tubes
Figure A.2-1: Overview of Hot Rolled Products

Part A/Chapter 2
Hot rolling mills are classified by the type of product that they produce and by their design
features. The following chapters give an inside on the different mill layouts and manufacturing
sequences. More detailed information on the individual processing steps, which are often
similar in different mills, is given thereafter.
A.2.1.1.1 Blooming/Slabbing Mills
Blooming and slabbing mills are used to roll cast ingots into semi-finished products, like
blooms and slabs, for further processing on other mills. The raw material is heated in soaking
pits to ca. 1300 o C and subsequent formed on heavy two-high reversing stands in 15 - 30 rolling
passes.
The material to be rolled is moved along roller tables, positioned with the aid of manipulators,
and fed into the roll gap. The material is rotated repeatedly by 90 o about its long axis during the
series of passes.
The main difference between blooming and slabbing stands is the greater height of the stands
used for rolling slabs. This is associated with the product characteristics, as slabbing mills are
mainly used to roll flat semi-finished products they require a bigger lift height of the upper rolls.
Another rolling system is the universal slabbing stand. Working pairs of rolls are arranged
horizontally and vertically in succession. The vertical rolls form the narrow sides.
The rolled semi-finished products are cropped with shears at both ends, and divided into
ordered lengths. Surface defects of the product maybe removed by flame deseaming (scarfing).
[Ullmann’s]
With the growth of continuously cast products, the number and importance of slabbing and
blooming mills has decreased. From 1988 the number dropped by 18 to a total of 67 in 1993
(see Table A.2-1)
Number of Plants Average capacity [t/h]

Blooming Mills 13 85
Blooming and billeting 8 84
Blooming and slabbing 13 187
Blooming, slabbing, billeting 6 109
Slabbing (only) mills 5 284
Billeting (only) mills 20 83
Billeting and slabbing mills 2 122
Total 67 122
Table A.2-1: Semi-finished product mills

[EUROSTAT]
A.2.1.1.2 Hot Strip Mills
For the production of hot strip, the heated slab - after descaling - passes the roughing mill,
where it is reduced from a thickness of approx. 120 - 300 (500) mm to approx. 20 - 50 mm
(transfer bar). Roughing can also include a reduction in width.
This roughing is done either in several passages through an individual rolling stand by repeated
reversing, or in a continuous passage through several roughing stands. The designations of strip

Part A/Chapter 2
mills (semi-continuous hot strip mill, 3/4 continuous hot strip mill and continuous hot strip mill,
see Figure A.2-2) originate from this plant configuration.
E2
Furnaces E1 R F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6
Typical configuration of semi-continuous hot strip mill
E2 E3 E4
Furnaces E1 R1 R2 R3 F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6
Typical configuration of 3/4 continuous hot strip mill
E2 E3 E4 E5
Furnaces E1 R1 R2 R3 R4 F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6
Typical configuration of fully continuous hot strip mill
E= Edger R= Roughing stand F= Finishing stand
Figure A.2-2: Typical designs for Hot Strip Mills

[EUROFER HR]
The material reduced to a transfer bar is directed to the finishing train via an intermediate roller
table, which in some cases is combined with a so-called coil box. Before entering a train of
rolling stands for thickness reduction to the final size (between 1.2 and approx. 20 mm) the
transfer bar is cropped. Temperature controlled rolling in the finishing train, involving
controlled strip cooling installed at the delivery roller table, provides the requested
technological parameters (strength, toughness, etc.) of the hot strip. At the end of the rolling
mill the finished product is wound up in a coil.
Hot strip, which is not foreseen for further processing in the cold mills is partly sold with rolled
strip edges, but depending on the planned external use the strip has to be conditioned. This coil
finishing includes side trimming, cutting to small bands on slitting lines and cutting into sheets.
[EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Steckel Mill
A special method of hot strip production is rolling in so-called STECKEL mills. Here the
prematerial is usually processed into strip by reversing through a roughing stand and a finishing
stand, in some cases even by reversing through one stand only.
E2
Furnaces E1 R F1
Steckel Mill
E= Edger R= Roughing stand F= Finishing stand
Figure A.2-3: Typical STECKEL Mill configuration

[EUROFER HR]
To keep the heat losses during the rather long forming process within reasonable limits and to
handle the relatively long strip more easily, heated coiling devices referred to as STECKEL
coilers are attached on both sides of the rolling stand (finishing stand), where the rolled stock is
temporarily stored.
Figure A.2-4: STECKEL Mill with coiling furnaces

[EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Sendzimir Planetary mill
Mills of this type are characterised by the use of rotating backup rolls which drive the work rolls
so that the surface of the latter move in a direction opposite to that of the workpiece. The work
rolls are held in cages, which rotate around the backup rolls in a synchronised manner. To
facilitate the use of thicker ingoing material (slabs) planetary mills may be assisted by attached
eccentric presses.
Special kinds of planetary mills are the single planetary mill - only the bottom roll set is
designed as planetary type and either a rotating top roll or fixed die is arranged above passline -
and the ‘Krupp-Platzer’ planetary mill where intermediate rolls are arranged between the work
rolls and backup roll. [EUROFER HR]
Backup roll
Cage
Work
rolls
Material
travel
Slab
Strip
Normal flow
of material
Planetary Planishing
Descaler mill mill Upcoiler
Feed Runout
rolls table
Gas fired furnace Tension
roll
Figure A.2-5: Planetary Mill (SENDZIMIR)

[EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.1.3 Plate Mills
Production of heavy plates (thickness between 5.0 and 380 mm, width up to 5.2 m) is done by
reversing operation at one mill stand or in tandem operation.
After rolling, the plates are placed on a cooling bed (cross transfer) and cooled to room
temperature and/or temperatures down to max. 500°C for further processing. [EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
turning
turning
subsequent
treatment
Edger
Furnaces Plate Hot Cooling-
Mill Leveller bed
Stand
Shearing line
Side trimming & Storage
cutting to length yard
Figure A.2-6: Typical Plate Mill configuration

[EUROFER HR]
In special cases the rolled product is heat treated by water cooling systems (e.g. water curtains)
immediately after hot rolling. Hot and/or cold levellers are arranged in front or behind the
cooling bed to straighten the plates.
After the cooling process on the cooling bed, secondary treatment of the sheets is performed in
the finishing shops (shearing, side trimming cutting to length). A part of the production is
subjected to a subsequent heat treatment prior to shipment. Such treatments include annealing,
spherodise annealing, stress relieving, normalising, quenching and tempering.
Clads
Special products such as multi-layer plates (clads) require a separate preparation and rolling
technique (mainly a two-heat rolling operation). In such products, a corrosion-resistant surface
material is permanently bonded to lower-cost, possibly stronger, carbon steel.
The first step involves the fabrication of ‘sandwiches’ which consist of plates of the cladding
and the backing materials with thickness in the exact proportion to produce the required plate
size with the percentage of metals ordered. The assembly is then rolled to the desired gauge,
width and length, with the two materials becoming permanently bonded because of the high
rolling pressure.
In the rolling operation, drafts are usually limited and the finishing temperatures are carefully
controlled. In some cases the sandwiches are rolled in a first stage into slabs, cut to required
sizes and in a second heat, final rolled either on hot strip mills or on the plate mill. Sometimes
heat treatments are required to produce the desired corrosion resistance and physical properties,
the resultant scale being removed by sand- or shot blasting. [EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.1.4 Bar and Rod Mills
Bars and rods (wire rods) constitute hot rolled products of relatively small cross sections
produced in coiled or straight form. For the rolling operation profiled rolls are in use to give the
steel its desired final shape.
Wire rods
Wire rods generally have circular cross sections with a diameter of 5 to 14 mm. Larger cross
sections and different section shapes such as oval, square, hexagonal, octagonal etc. Can also be
rolled on wire rod mills with adequately shaped rollers. Hot rolled wire rod is mainly used for
further processing by cold drawing or cold rolling.

Part A/Chapter 2
Coilers
Coil collectors
Furnace
Roughing mill
Intermediate mill
6 + 3 stands
6 + 4 stands Finishing blocks Coil conveyor /
Cooling line
10 stands Retarded cooling
Note: Example of a 2 strand, 30 stand wire rod mill with Stelmor controlled cooling
Figure A.2-7: Typical layout of a Wire Rod Mill

[EUROFER HR]
The billets fed into rod mills are heated to hot rolling temperature in pusher or walking beam
furnaces. A descaling system is installed between the furnace exit and the first rolling stand.
Rod mills are continuous mills with roughing, intermediate and finishing sections. The rolling
stands are 2-high and their number is generally in excess of 25, depending on the cross section
of the billets feeding the mill (80 to 155 mm). Roughing and intermediate sections may be
multi-strand (up to 4 strands), while finishing sections are always single stranded.
Crop shears are installed between the different sections of the mill and are used to provide a
clean cut for improved introduction into the following roll stand. Crop shears are also used to
cut the bar engaged into the rolling process in case of an incident downstream in the mill.
In-line heat treatment of the wire rod is performed with water cooling ramps located between
the final rolling stands and the coilers, followed by air cooling of the coils laid on conveyor
belts. Controlled air-flow gives the wire rod the desired micro-structure for further processing
(STELMOR® cooling). [EUROFER HR]
Bars
Hot rolled bars include basically two types of steel products, merchant steels or engineering
steels with round, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, L-shaped, [-shaped, I-shaped
cross sections smaller than 1600 mm2 and concrete reinforcing bars (re-bars) with round cross
sections, 6 to 40 mm diameter, mostly with ribs on their surface.
Bar rolling mills are similar to the first sections of wire rod rolling mills. They have generally
single strand 2-high mills with roughing, intermediate and finishing groups followed by shears
that cut the hot rolled product to long bars, which are then conveyed to a cooling bed. High
capacity mills are all continuous with alternating horizontal and vertical stands, while the front
groups of lower capacity mills are of the ‘open’ type.
After cooling the bars are cut to commercial lengths and may be straightened at a cold
straightening machine.
Re-bars are often heat-treated in-line by intensive water-cooling to obtain high tensile strength
(TEMPCORE® process). A different way for increasing the tensile strength of re-bars is a
mechanical treatment after cooling: The bars are deformed by torsion beyond their yield
strength until the desired tensile strength is obtained. [EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Cold Drawing of Steel Bars
Cold drawing concerns the manufacture of steel bars or sections by cold drawing, grinding or
peeling of hot rolled steel bars into so called 'bright steel bars', having form and characteristics
required by the users. Cold finishing during cold drawing operations hardens and increases the
tensile strength of the steel, while at the same time reducing the ductility, which may require an
annealing treatment of the product after drawing. Bright steel bars are mainly of circular,
square, rectangular or hexagonal cross-section, but all kinds of cross-sections can be produced
according to demand. Products are non-alloy steel bars, alloy steel bars of different grades
including high-speed steel and other tool steel and shapes and sections of different steel grades.
[Pan97]
Bright steel bars are used by industries such as the manufacture of motor vehicles, machinery,
electrical goods and other industries, where high quality basic material is compulsory.
A.2.1.1.5 Structural/Section Mills
As most other types of mills, section rolling mills are divided into roughing, intermediate and
finishing stands, preceded by a descaling machine installed between the reheating furnace and
the roughing mill.
Roughing stands are generally reversing, 2-high stands. The rolls have several sets of profiles,
which are used in sequence. The upper roll can be moved vertically in order to progressively
reduce the gap between the rolls and thus to reduce the passing section.
Cropping shears or hot saws are generally installed between the different sections of the mills
and are used to provide a clean cut bar end to facilitate the introduction into the following
rolling stand.
On leaving the finishing stand or train, the bars are divided to cooling bed length or to
commercial length by saws. After cooling on the cooling bed, the bars are straightened on
mechanical or hydraulic straightening machines and cut to length by saws as required.
[EUROFER HR]
To yield the different profile shapes required for sections/structurals, either duo-stands with 2
grooved rolls or ‘universal’ stands with 2 horizontal and 2 vertical rolls are used as shown in
Figure A.2-8 and Figure A.2-9.
Figure A.2-8: Profiled rolls for sheet piling sections

[EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Vertical roll
Horizontal roll
Arrangement of working rolls in a

"Universal" rolling stand
Figure A.2-9: Universal stands for parallel flanged products

[EUROFER HR]
Geometry control is of utmost importance in section rolling since rather tight tolerances are
common for hot rolled sections. Measuring devices applying sophisticated techniques including
laser beam technology and radioactive sources are of common use.
The designs of section mills vary greatly according to the manufacturing programme.
Figure A.2-10 shows the layout of a heavy section mill with universal stands, specialised in
parallel flange H and I beams. It includes in-line heat treatment (QST - Quenching and Self-
Tempering) to obtain an optimal micro-structure for high strength and high ductility
applications.
Roughing stand
Walking beam
furnace
Intermediate stands
Finishing stand
QST
Hot saws
Heavy section rolling mill (Grey mill) with one 2-high reversing roughing stand, two
reversing universal intermediate stands and one universal finishing stand.
Figure A.2-10: Plant layout of a Heavy Section Mill

[EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Figure A.2-11 shows the layout of a heavy/medium section mill specialised in the rolling of
sheet piling sections. The intermediate stands are of the ‘open’ type with one common drive.
The 2-high finishing stand can be exchanged by a universal stand for the production of parallel
flanged products.
Roughing stand (blooming mill)
FINISHING SHOP
3 intermediate stands
Straightening machine
Cooling beds
1
2
3
4
5
Finishing stand
Hot circular saws
Heavy/medium section mill with one reversing 2-high roughing stand, three reversing
2-high intermediate stands with a common drive and one reversing finishing stand
Figure A.2-11: Plant layout of a Heavy/Medium Section Mill for sheet piling
[EUROFER HR]
Section mills increasingly use near-net-shape, continuously cast semis called beam blanks (see
Figure A.2-12) to increase productivity and decrease energy input.
Beam blanks for different beam sections
Figure A.2-12: Examples of beam blanks cross sections

[EUROFER HR]
If the production rhythm and the manufacturing programme allow, hot charging of continuously
cast semis - from the casting machine run-out area to the reheating furnace of the rolling mill -
is more and more applied. Considerable savings in energy consumption may be achieved, but
this depends on the proximity of the rolling mill to the continuous casting plant.

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.1.1.6 Tube Mill
Seamless tube
Seamless tube production consists basically of the following manufacturing steps:

· Heating of the input.
· Piercing (press-piercing or oblique rolling).
· Elongation/Stretching.
· Final Rolling.
· Heat Treatment.
The most important types of plants used today are mandrel mills, plug mills, push bench mills
and pilger mills. Figure A.2-13 and Figure A.2-14 show some typical tube mill designs.
Raw material for the production of unalloyed and medium-alloy steel tubes are continuously
cast round billets or blooms, although sometimes billets with square cross sections are used.
The raw material for high-chrome steel tubes are mainly round bars, rolled from cast billets.
The input is heated to rolling temperature in rotary hearth furnaces fired with natural gas or oil.
Then a hollow billet (ingot) is produced by piercing. The most important hole-piercing process
uses inclined rollers. The hole is produced by two inclined rolls rotating in the same direction,
so that the ingot is rolled with a screw motion over a piercer plug to form a hollow bloom. The
piercer plug is fixed to a freely rotating rod supported by a thrust bearing on the exit side.
1 Rotary hearth furnace 5 Re-heating furnace

2 Cross-rolling piercer 6 Stretch-reducing mill (off-set 60 o)
3 Mandrel mill (offset 45o) 7 To cooling bed and finishing lines
4 Stripper
Figure A.2-13: Mandrel mill

[Tech Metal]

Part A/Chapter 2
1 Rotary hearth furnace 5 Reeler

2 Cross rolling piercer 6 Sizing mill
3 Cross-rolling elongator 7 Cooling bed
4 Plug mill 8 To finishing shop
Figure A.2-14: Plug mill

[Tech Metal]
Longitudinal rolling, transverse rolling, or presses are used for the elongating stage. The most
important one is the continuous tube rolling process, as it is one of the most efficient and
productive processes.
Several rolling stands are used simultaneously, usually 6 -8 two-high stands per group, at an
angle of 90 o to each other. The reduction of the wall thickness takes place between the rolls and
a cylindrical lubricated mandrel.
Rolling to the finished size is carried out without an inner mandrel in sizing mills or stretch-
reducing mills. Sizing mills have 2 - 10 stands, and can have two or three rolls per stand. As the
circumference is reduced, the wall thickness is increased. In stretch reducing mills, which
normally have three rolls per stand, and up to 30 stands, an increase of wall thickness is
avoided, as tensile forces are applied between the stands during the process.
Tubes for undemanding applications can be shipped immediately after rolling. For more
exacting quality requirements, especially good toughness properties, separate heat treatment is
usually carried out after rolling. This can include normalising and tempering.

Part A/Chapter 2
Welded tubes
Welded tubes are produced from cold rolled or hot rolled steel strip; hot rolled wide strip; or
thick plate. In principal the production sequence comprises bending of the strip or plate to an
open tube and closing the gap by welding. Figure A.1-1 shows a schematic of continuous tube
production (Fretz-Moon process).
Figure A.2-15: Flow sheet for continuous tube production

[HMIP]
In the Fretz-Moon process (pressure welding) coils of hot-rolled strip are heated to a high
temperature in a tunnel furnace. The edges of the strip are heated to welding temperature by
additional burners. The strip is formed into a tube with a longitudinal gap. A two-roll
compression device at 90 o then reduces the gap and presses the edges together so they become
welded.
The semi-finished tube passes without further heating through a stretching mill, where the
dimensions are reduced as required. A flying saw cuts the continuous tube into lengths, which
are then cooled on a cooling bed.
Alternative welding processes are resistance pressure welding, in which the required welding
heat is generated by high-frequency alternating current, conduction or induction. The properties
of the welded seams can be improved, either by continuous heat treatment or by separate heat
treatment of the individual tube. Fusion Welding is mainly used to produce steel pipes with
large diameters (> 457.2 mm). Figure A.2-16 shows the main tube welding processes.

Part A/Chapter 2
a Fretz-Moon welding process

b High-frequency conductive welding
c High-frequency inductive welding
Figure A.2-16: Tube welding processes

[EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.2 Surface Rectification and Conditioning of Input
Slabs, blooms and billets can have surface defects, like cracks, folds or seams. Surface
preparation of rolling stock is necessary to ensure flawless surfaces of the rolled product.
Surface defects of semi-finished products, can also be removed by the following processes.
Scarfing
Scarfing removes surface defects of carbon steel grades by an oxy-fuel flame. The flame is used
to rapidly melt and oxidise the steel surface while a separate supply of high pressure oxygen to
the cutter propels the slag product from the surface. Scarfing is either done by hand (for small
lot sizes) or by machine.
The scale from machine scarfing is washed from the steel surface by high pressure water and
led to a water pit where the scale is removed by crane. The water is treated and recirculated.
From manual scarfing operation scrap collection is carried out by means of magnets.
Dust emissions from scarfing operation are collected and, usually, abated by electrostatic
precipitators (wet or dry).
Grinding
For stainless steels and special steel grades, thermal removal of the surface defects is not
possible. Therefore defects have to be eliminated by grinding. The grinding process is either

Part A/Chapter 2
carried out manually or by machines. Manual grinding is performed by use of hand held power
tools, in some cases booths equipped with fume extraction to bag filter units. Grinding
machines are equipped with a roller table on which the work piece is supported and on which it
can be moved. The grinding wheel is mounted on a carriage that permits it to be moved back
and forth over the work piece. The unit is positioned in an enclosure, which collects the dust
generated during grinding and ducts it to a bag filter before discharge to atmosphere.
Cutting to-size slabs

In some cases the slabs have to be cut to the appropriate size. Wedge-type slabs, which result
from adjustment of the width in the continuous casting plant (mould adjustment) and from
change of the lot size, have to be conditioned by torch cutting to obtain the desired geometrical
shape.
A.2.1.3 Reheating- and Heat Treatment Furnaces
For hot rolling the steel input has to be heated to appropriate rolling temperature between 1050
and 1300 °C and a uniform temperature distribution has to be ensured.
Depending on the charge material and the hot rolling process, reheating is done in different
types of furnaces such as pit furnaces, pusher type furnaces, walking beam furnaces, rotary
hearth furnaces or others. These furnaces are fired directly, usually by oil, natural gas or plant
gases such as COG and BFG. Depending on the heating media, different waste gas emissions
will occur (mainly SO2 and NOx).
A.2.1.3.1 Batch Furnaces
Batch type furnaces are often used for speciality steels and forgings. A typical example of the
batch type furnace is the soaking pit, used to reheat ingots, slabs and other feedstock. It consists
of refractory lined chambers in which the input is placed vertically (ingots) or horizontally
(slabs). A moveable cover allows the input to be charged and removed for rolling. Cast ingots
can be charged immediately after stripping to conserve energy. The typical soaking pit capacity
is 50 to 170 tonnes with a thermal input of 9.5 MW (Th) and a heating rate of 10.7 t/h.
Soaking pits are no longer in widespread use as more and more steel is continuously cast, a
process, which often bypasses the soaking pits. An example of the soaking pit furnace is shown
in Figure A.2-17. [EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Figure A.2-17: Pit furnace

[ETSU-NP-54]
Another type of the batch furnace is the bogie hearth furnace. The stock is carried into the
furnace chamber on a bogie. The furnace chamber is closed by means of a door and the stock is
heated. When the targeted temperature is reached, the door is opened, the bogie with the stock is
removed and the slab or casting is taken away for further use. [EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.3.2 Continuous Furnaces
Larger furnaces are usually fed continuously. The stock is pushed through the furnace by the
following stock (pusher type furnace) or is moved through by walking beams (walking beam
furnaces), a walking hearth or on/between rollers.
Examples of the larger size (> 20 MWTh) furnaces - the pusher and walking beam furnaces –
are shown in Figure A.2-18 and Figure A.2-19. The largest currently in operation are walking
beam furnaces of approx. 125 MW (Th) and pusher furnaces of 200 MW (Th). [EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Recuperator
Preheating zone Heating zone Soaking zone
Burner Exit door

Entry furnace
door
Pushing direction
End burner Workpiece

(Slabs)
Skid rails
Figure A.2-18: Pusher type furnace

[DFIU98]
Figure A.2-19: Walking beam furnace

[ETSU-G77]
In a rotary hearth furnace (see Figure A.2-20) the charge material is placed onto a rotary
hearth. During the furnace campaign (hearth is rotating) the material is heated and, after
completion of a rotation, discharged.

Part A/Chapter 2
Hearth rotation
zone 1
ction
zone 2
zone
Conve
e3
zo n
Charging
Discharging
Figure A.2-20: Typical design of rotary hearth furnace

[EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.4 Descaling
Prior to rolling adherent scale, which forms during reheating must be removed, in order to avoid
a contamination of the stock surface by scale impressed by the rolls (so-called 'rolled in matter').
Mechanical descaling, where the adherent scale is mechanically broken in a light pass (mostly
in two-high stands) and then sprayed off or mechanically removed (brushing), is rarely applied
any more. Today, a common method of descaling is breaking and spraying off the scale by
means of high-pressure water. Power water with pressures of 120 to 250 bar (exeptionally 600
bar) is applied via flat jet nozzles onto the material surface. For the cleaning effect, the impact
pressure (i.e. the pressure determined by the distance of the descaling nozzles to the rolling
stock) is more important than the system pressure. The following techniques are applied
throughout the whole rolling process:
· Primary descaling in so-called high pressure descalers installed before the entry into the
roughing train and equipped with 1 or 2 pairs, some times adjustable, descaling headers.
· Mill stand descaling by means of descaling headers arranged above and below the plate
passage on both sides of reversing stand and on the entry side in case of continuous stands.
· Descaler at entry of the finishing train for removing secondary scale, i.e. the scale formed
on the rough strip at the conveying roller table of the roughing train and finishing train.
· Pairs of mill stand descaling sprays at the entry of the first stand of the finishing train.
[EUROFER HR].
In case of production lines for long products the descaling headers are either designed as spray
rings or as combination of vertical and horizontal headers, sometimes adjustable to material
cross section, for proper descaling of all material surfaces. [EUROFER HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.1.5 Edging
Edging is usually applied in the manufacture of strip and plate. The slabs produced in the
continuous casting plant are supplied in certain defined, stepped dimensions of widths. The
width has to be reduced to the specified dimension of the rolled strip, with a trimming
allowance as narrow as possible (scrap minimization and yield improvement). In most cases,
this width reduction is performed on so-called edgers (vertical rolling stands) - recently even in
slab presses - which are installed in front of the roughing unit. The accuracy of the width
reduction and optimum adherence to the rectangular shape effect the amount of scrap arising
from cropping (head and tail end) in the rolling mill and in the finishing shops (trimming).
A.2.1.6 Roughing
Roughing depicts the first bulk reduction done on the incoming hot roll stock for the production
of strip, rod and sections. Generally, the roughing train consists of one or more horizontal
stands for thickness reduction, including edgers (vertical stands) situated in front of the stand
for width adjustment. Reversing roughing mills are sometimes equipped with edgers on both
ends of the mill stand [EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.7 Strip Rolling/Finishing Train
In general, the finishing mill consists of a number of rolling stands positioned after one another.
The stands have staggered roll gaps so that the thickness reduction to the requested final
thickness is done in one pass of the transfer bar. The number of stands depends on the grade and
material thickness of the input (slabs) as well as on the thickness range of the finished strip.
Crop shears arranged in front of the finishing stands serve to cut the ends of the rough strip,
which may have the form of a tongue or fishtail. This ensures safe entry into the finishing train
and avoids damage to the rolls as well as generation of scrap.
In most cases, an additional descaling device (descaling sprays) as described above is installed
between crop shears and finishing train. Sometimes there is also an additional vertical stand,
which is mainly used for strip guidance, but occasionally for minor width adjustments as well.
Coilers
Hot strips with length up to 2 km and even more are wound up on so named down (sometimes
up-) coilers at the end of the rolling mill by speeds up to 20 m/s and more. The hot band is
guided around an expandable mandrel by special arranged wrapper rollers. After approx. 3 - 4
windings the wrapper rollers are lifted and the band is coiled onto the expanded mandrel. After
the coiling operation is finished, the mandrel is collapsed and the hot coil is transported to a
strapping station by means of a coil car. [EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.8 Rod Rolling/Finishing Train
The finishing train of rod mills usually consists of rolling blocks with up to 10 sets of
alternating horizontal and vertical roller pairs as shown in Figure A.2-21.
Rolling speeds of more than 100 m/s are achieved at the final stages. The material used for the
roughing and intermediate rolls is generally hardened steel or cast iron while the finishing rolls
are made of carbide, a particularly wear resistant material. The typical calibration used for wire
rod mills is a sequence of alternating round and oval calibres.

Part A/Chapter 2
6 stand finishing block with 3 vertical and 3 horizontal

pairs of rolls
Figure A.2-21: Roller arrangement of wire rod finishing section

[EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.9 Plate Rolling
Plate rolling by reversing operation is similar to roughing in strip production. The slabs are
formed into plates in the so-called multi-stage rolling operations, where the slabs are stretched,
turned by 90° by means of conical rollers on a special roller table, spread, turned again and
rolled to the requested thickness.
A.2.1.10 Transport of Roll Stock between Rolling Stands
Usually, roller tables arranged along the entire strip rolling train are used as a means of
transport for the rolling stock. These roller tables consist of individual metallic hollow and/or
solid rollers with single drive or group drive by means of an electromotor and gear, if necessary.
In special cases, for example later modernisation of a rolling mill including increase of the
weight of single products or installation of additional equipment, the distance between roughing
stand and finishing stand is no longer sufficient to de-couple the two processes. So-called coil
boxes - developed by STELCO, Steel Company of Canada Ltd. - are then inserted as
intermediate storing devices. [EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.11 Cooling Lines
In connection with an appropriate temperature control within the finishing trains, the cooling
line provides the desired mechano-technological parameters to the material. The steel is rapidly
cooled using either water sprays, water walls or laminar flows (see Figure A.2-22).

Part A/Chapter 2
a Laminar flows b Water wall c Water sprays
Figure A.2-22: Different types of water cooling

[Tech Metal]
Widest spread nowadays is the use of laminar flow cooling on run out tables. Usually, the spray
headers (arranged on top and bottom of the passline) are grouped into sections, sometimes of
different water flow volume. Each section and/or each header is individually controllable so that
desired cooling temperature may be realised. Cooling lines and the individual sprays are
computer controlled, whereas the spray headers are switched on and off in accordance to
complex mathematical-empirical models, supported by peripheral temperature measurements.
[EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.12 Sheet and Plate Production
For sheet production the hot produced coils are decoiled by means of uncoiling reels and
supplied to a shearing line which is equipped with levellers to straighten the strip. The rolled
sheets with desired length are piled and stored in the storage yard. [EUROFER HR]
Plate production is carried out on shearing lines following the rolling process. The plates are
trimmed on both sides, cropped and cut to desired length. Cutting to size for special blanks is
done by CNC-cutting equipment (torch-, plasma- or laser beam-cutting units). The internal
quality of plates may be determined by ultrasonic techniques. Automatically working devices
may be installed on the shearing line run out table.
Finishing operations are computer controlled in the most installations. Consideration is also
being given to the in-line quenching and heat-treatment of plates following the last rolling pass
as a means of conserving energy. [EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.13 Plate Heat Treatment
Finished plates are partly subject to heat treatment. In annealing steel is heated to a subcritical
temperature to relieve stresses. For normalising steel is heated above its critical temperature
and air-cooled. The purpose is to refine grain sizes and to obtain a carbide distribution, which
will dissolve more readily, austenite. Quenching, tempering and other methods may also be
applied.
Several different types of furnaces are used for these purposes, such as walking beam type,
roller hearth or car bottom furnaces. The heating and combustion system of such furnaces are

Part A/Chapter 2
comparable with the systems related to stock re-heating. All usually available heating media
may be used for firing the treatment furnaces. [EUROFER HR]
A.2.1.14 Roll Shop
The workrolls as well as the back-up rolls for both finishing and roughing mills are conditioned
according to well-defined specifications, depending on the product to be rolled. Conditioning of
the rolls is performed at the roll shop where typical machine shop techniques are applied, such
as machining and grinding. [EUROFER HR]
A roll shop generally includes the following:
· Cooling area where work rolls are cooled either in open air or by water sprinkling.
· Preparation area where the shocks are dismantled and set-up (In some cases the roll shop
machines allow reconditioning of rolls without prior dismantling).
· Cleaning area where the rolls to be reconditioned are cleaned from deposits and lubricants,
(The cleaning techniques include steam cleaning, application of alkali degreasing solutions,
application of organic solvents).
· Typical machine shop equipment including lathes and grinding machines which have
individual cooling system where the cooling liquid is continuously processed in order to
separate turnings and grinding sludge [EUROFER HR].
A.2.1.15 Water Circuits / Water Management in Hot Rolling Mills
Throughout the hot rolling process and linked process steps water is used for cooling and for
technological reasons. Electric motors, re-heating furnaces, control rooms and power systems,
instruments and process control are usually cooled indirectly. The steel, rolls, saws, cropped
ends, coilers and hot run out tables are cooled directly. Water is also used for scale breaking,
flushing scale and for scale transport. Wherever the water is in contact with the rolled material
(process water) and rolling equipment it will be contaminated with scale and oil.
The simplest water feeding system applied is an open system (once-through system) as shown
in Figure A.2-23. The water is taken from natural resources (river, lake or ground water), flows
through the various consumers of the hot mill and is released again to the watercourse.
water inlet gravel

filter thickener
Scale Oil Disposal to
Various consumers waste storage
throughout hot or recycling
rolling mill by steel pro-
Sludge duction
outlet to sewer
and / or watercourse
Figure A.2-23: Example of a once through water system

[EUROFER HR]
The polluted cooling and process waters are collected and treated prior to discharge. First
treatment stage is a sedimentation basin in which solids, mainly iron oxides, are allowed to
settle at the bottom of the basin.

Part A/Chapter 2
The sedimented solids are discharged via appropriate devices (scraper, screw, etc.) and, in the
case of integrated steel plants, returned to the production process via the hot metal route. The oil
pollutants floating on the surface are removed by means of suitable skimming devices and are
discharged to the respective collecting basins.
The pre-cleaned overflow is supplied via pipes to the filter batteries whose number, size and
capacity are designed in conformity with the water volume. In most cases these filters are gravel
filters, i.e. the overflowing water is cleaned by passing through gravel beds.
The pollutants in the gravel filters must be removed by back-washing in order to maintain the
function and separation efficiency of the filters. The purified waste water from the filters is
discharged into the sewage system and/or lakes and rivers.
The sludge-bearing waters (mostly containing iron oxide) from the filter batteries are separated
in a thickener. The overflow is recirculated to the cleaning circuit system. The high-quality feed
material contained in the sludge is further dewatered and disposed off or returned to the steel
production process, provided the appropriate technical equipment is available.
In order to reduce or avoid waste water discharge from hot rolling operations semi-closed - and
closed circuits are implemented.
In semi-closed circuits, as shown in Figure A.2-24, the water is treated and partly reused
depending on the temperature. The water treatment devices are the same as for open systems,
but the filtered waste water is not directly disposed off. Instead it is conveyed into a filter water
basin and mixed with cold fresh water, if necessary. Depending on the temperature of the mixed
water, the filtered water is returned to the different consumers in the hot rolling mill and only
the overflow is discharged. Accordingly, the volume of the circulating water depends on the
seasons and the geographical situation.
water inlet gravel

filter thickener
Scale Oil Disposal to
Various consumers waste storage
throughout hot or recycling
Sludge duction
ground water filter water

tank
water outlet to sewer / watercourse
Figure A.2-24: Example of semi-closed water circuit

[EUROFER HR]
With application of closed water circuits (see Figure A.2-25) the purified water is not
discharged, but re-cooled in cooling towers or heat exchangers to required temperature and is
reused in the rolling process. For plants using cooling towers, water consumption is restricted to
additional water (approx. 3 - 5 %) needed to make up for evaporation and for blow down losses.
When heat exchangers are used, large re-circulating volumes of re-cooling water are required.

Part A/Chapter 2
gravel
Scale Oil filter
thickener
Disposal to
Various consumers Settling basin waste storage
throughout hot evapouration or recycling
biocides
Sludge duction
(NaOCl)
spray- losses
HCl or NaOH
cooling Deflocculation agent
tower
make up water
waste water to sewer

and/or watercourse
Figure A.2-25: Example of closed circuit water system

[EUROFER HR]
Water feeding- and treatment systems in hot rolling mills are usually very complex, with
several, partly interconnected water loops and multiple-stage use of water. In some cases the hot
rolling mill water circuit is coupled with water feeding systems of other iron and steel
production units, as for example continuous casting. Reasons for this connection are the
similarity of the waste water contents and the proximity of the installations.
Notes: 1) Figures given represent water flow in m3/h

2) Mill capacity: 270000 t per month
Figure A.2-26: Water loops for hot strip rolling mill

[StuE-96-7]

Part A/Chapter 2
Figure A.2-26 shows the water circuit of a hot wide strip mill where 3 water loops are
established. Loop 1, with 8030 m3/h, comprises the cogging stand, finishing train and re-heating
furnace; loop 2 (8000 m3/h) delivery roller table and loop 3 (2200 m3/h) mainly the electrical
equipment. The Loops are connected in a way that water input for loop 2 and 3 is supplied by
the clean waterside of loop 1. Process water of loop 2 and 3 is sent to the treatment facilities of
loop 1 and also blow-down water can be discharged to loop 1.
Figure A.2-27 shows another example of a water management system for hot wide strip mill.
The loops established in this case are for furnace- and engine cooling, for roller stands and for
laminar strip- and roller table cooling.
High Roughing Intermediate

Roller table Cooling Other
pressure mill stand strip
cooling rolls consumers
descaling cooling cooling
Laminar
Scale- Horizontal settling Cooling Roller table
Sand filter strip Rinsing
pit tank tower cooling
cooling
Engine-
Furnace cooling and
Cooling Horizontal
oil cooling Sandfilter
tower settling tank
Cooling towers Sandfilter
Horizontal settling Buffer Filter

Thickener
tank press
loop.ds4
Figure A.2-27: Use of water loops in a hot rolling mill

[DFIU98]
The prevention of effluents by using water in loops or in multiple stages is a well-known and
wide spread practice within the steel industry. Hot rolling mills offer a high potential for
reduction in water consumption and waste water discharge, because of the large quantities of
water needed.
A.2.1.16 Waste and By-product Management in Hot Rolling Mills
Apart from waste water, hot rolling operations generate different kinds of solid and liquid by-
products and waste.
· Metallic waste and by-products.

· Scarfing scale/swarf.
· Dusts from scarfing and rolling.
· Mill scale (oil free and oily).
· Water treatment and mill scale sludge.
· Grinding sludge (roll shop).
· Oil and greases.

Part A/Chapter 2
Metallic by-products/waste, like scrap, downgrades, crop ends, etc. arising from hot rolling, is
usually rather clean and is easily recycled into metallurgical processes (e.g. BOF).
Oilfree scale and low oil-content (< 1 %) scale, is fed back directly to the metallurgical process,
usually via the sinter plant. Oily, ferrous sludges with up to 80 % FeOn content, like oily mill
scale and grinding sludges, obtained from water treatment plants have to be conditioned before
internal recycling.
Scale is also sold for external use (e.g. to cement manufacturers) or it is supplied to an external
company for treatment (usually thermal treatment to burn the oil content). Thermal treatment
plants can yield a product with an iron-content of about 60 - 70 %. If the thermal treatment plant
is fed with oily mill-scale of about 4.5 % no additional energy supply is required.
Oxide dusts from air cleaning devices, for example from bag filters for oxide removal at the
mill stands, are recyclable to the steel production (e.g. sinter plant) without risks.
Oil and grease, separated and collected at various stages, are energy sources and can be utilized
as secondary fuels, for example by injection into the blast furnace or in the coke making
process. Dewatering might be a precondition. Alternatively, these materials can be used at the
coke ovens to increase coal bulk density prior to carbonisation. [EUROFER HR], [Com2 HR]
Spent emulsion from the roll shop or other consumers can be split into components: oil and
water. The separated oil can be thermally utilized or recycled externally. [Com2 HR]

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.2 Cold Rolling Mills
A.2.2.1 Process Overview
In cold rolling the properties of hot rolled strip products, e.g. thickness, mechanical and
technological characteristics, are changed by compression between rollers without previous
heating of the input. The input is obtained in form of coils from hot rolling mills.
The processing steps and the sequence of processing in a cold rolling mill depends on the
quality of the steel treated. Low alloy and alloy steel (carbon steels) processing usually
follows the order: pickling, rolling, annealing, temper rolling/skin pass rolling and finishing.
The process route for high alloy steel (stainless steel) requires an initial annealing step prior to
pickling due to the hardness of the steel quality and, further more, several additional annealing
and/or pickling steps during rolling may be necessary.
Cold rolled products are mainly strips and sheets (thickness typically 0.16 - 3 mm) with high
quality surface finish and precise metallurgical properties for use in high specification products.
Cold Rolling Mills (CR Strip Mills)
Typical layouts for cold rolling mills are shown in (Figure A.2-28), the plants usually comprise:
· Continuous pickling line, where the oxide layer formed during the hot rolling is removed
by pickling with sulphuric, hydrochloric or a mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acid. A
stretcher leveller or an in-line skin-pass may be used to improve the shape of the strip and
provide mechanical breaking of the oxide layer.
· Cold rolling mill generally consisting of a 4-stand or a 5-stand four-high tandem mill or of
a four-high reversing mill. Cold rolling reduces the initial thickness of the hot rolled strip by
typically 50 to 80 %.
· Annealing facilities to restore the ductility of the steel strip that is lost as the result of work
hardening during the cold rolling.
· Temper mills to give the annealed material the required mechanical properties (prevents
the formation of Lüders lines during drawing). The material is subject to a slight skin pass
rolling typically on a four-high skin pass mill. The roughness of the work rolls of the mill is
transferred to the strip by the roll pressure.
· Inspection and finishing lines, here coils with different length may be welded together to
meet the required weight or may be slit to required width. Also coils are cut into sheets with
required length and width. At the same time defective sections of strip can be discarded.
· Packaging lines for coils or sheets according to the destination and/or the means of
transport.
· Roll shop, where the work rolls and the backup rolls for the cold rolling mill and the temper
mill are prepared.

Part A/Chapter 2
A) Reversing Mill
B) Tandem Mill
Figure A.2-28: Typical configurations of cold rolled strip mills

[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 2
For electrical steel sheet production the mill design is quite similar to those described above.
The rolling mill usually comprises a four-high reversing mill stand, which is enlarged to rolling
and alternative skin pass rolling operation (rough pass up to 7 % deformation). For higher
Si-contents, flash butt welding of head and tail of the coils to an endless strip has to be replaced
by ‘agraphing’ the ends of the coils.
Technical trends and developments in cold rolled strip production, driven by increasing market
demands and competition from alternative materials, aim at increasing the efficiency and the
output of plants by minimizing the processing time and the consumption of materials and
energy. Simultaneously the environmental impacts of the facilities are reduced. Figure A.2-29
shows as an example a modified plant concept which shortens the process time for annealing
and the following operations from 3- 7 days (2 –3 days when hydrogen is used) to
approximately 10 minutes. [EUROFER CR], [Com VDMA]
Figure A.2-29: Cold rolling process line with continuous annealing

[EUROFER CR]
A.2.2.2 Pickling of Low Alloy and Alloy HR Steel
The entire surface of the hot rolled coil is covered with a thin layer of scale containing oxides,
which must be removed prior to cold rolling. This is done by pickling with hydrochloric acid or
sulphuric acid, at temperatures typically ranging from 75 °C to 95 °C.
Once the strip or sheet is pickled, it must be thoroughly rinsed with de-mineralised (or equal
quality) water and subsequently dried. Oiling is done either with rolling oil or anticorrosive oil.
[EUROFER CR]
Pickling lines
Pickling can be done as a batch (usually for bars, rods or tubes), semi-batch or as a continuous
process and can also involve a number of stages using several acid baths. The following process
description refers to continuous pickling lines on which steel is pickled in coiled shape. Each of
the pickling steps described below can also be performed as an individual batch process.
A typical pickling plant may incorporate:

Part A/Chapter 2
· Anticoil break equipment on the decoiler to avoid the occurrence of flow lines (Lüders’
lines) on the entering hot rolled coil.
· Welding of the hot rolled coils to continuous strip to ensure defined constant pickling times.
· Straightening equipment prior to the entry of the hot rolled strip into the pickling tanks. The
flatness of the hot rolled strip is increased by straightening, and the capacity for pickling is
improved by the scale breaking effect of straightening.
· Chemical pickling zone; deep tank or shallow tank (turbulent) pickling equipment.
· Rinsing zones to remove remaining acid on the strip surface.
· Trimming of the strip to obtain cut edges and exact widths.
· Inspection of the strip for dimensional tolerances, surface defects and residues.
· Oiling of the strip (Note this may not be required in a combined pickling and rolling line).
The pickling is carried out in totally enclosed equipment or tanks fitted with hoods. In both
cases the units are under continuous extraction to remove any fumes generated.
Modern pickling plant design comprises pickling tanks equipped with external pumps. Instead
of simply passing the steel strip continuously through an acid bath, the acid is pumped via a
circulation system through nozzles mounted in the bath itself. The turbulence resulting from this
promotes the pickling reactions. [EUROFER CR]
Large continuous pickling lines can have capacities of up to 2.4 million t/a. Figure A.2-30
shows the operational steps in continuous pickling lines. [DFIU98]
2 8 4
1 3 7 10
14 15
9 12 15
11
13
4 6
5
1. Uncoiler 5. Strip storage 9. Pickling station 13. Scrap removal

2. Crop shear 6. Looping car 10. Strip tension 14. Slitting
3. Welding machine 7. Tension rolls 11. Strip storage 15. Coiler
4. Strip tension and guiding 8. Dancer roll 12. Trimming
Figure A.2-30: Schematic of a continuous pickling line

[DFIU98]
A.2.2.3 Annealing (I) and Pickling (I) of High Alloy HR Steel
The coils of stainless steel strip produced by hot rolling are known as ‘hot band’ coils. Due to
the presence of an oxide scale and chromium depleted layer formed during the hot rolling the
steel must also be descaled / pickled prior to cold rolling. In addition, the greater hardness of the
steel compared with carbon steels necessitates an initial annealing (I). The annealing process
has three components, heating to annealing temperature, temperature equalisation and cooling.
Both continuous and batch annealing processes may be used. [EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Annealing
Ferritic grades are generally annealed as tightly wound coils in a batch heat treatment
facility. Such installations may be used for the full heating, temperature equalisation and
cooling cycles. One or more coils are placed on the furnace base and covered to form a closed
furnace chamber. Heating may be achieved via gas firing or electrical heating. An inert
protective atmosphere (nitrogen/hydrogen) is required for metallurgical reasons. Ferritic steels
are generally annealed at steel temperatures of up to 800oC. [EUROFER CR]
For continuous annealing of austenitic steels the steel coil is unwound and passed through one
or more heat treatment furnaces. These furnaces typically consist of a refractory (or other form
of insulation) lined steel structure and are usually directly fired by gaseous fuels. An oxidizing
atmosphere is needed to form a scale, which is rich in oxygen to allow a better pickling. The
waste gases are exhausted via flues under natural or forced draft. Strip temperatures typically up
to 1100oC are necessary for annealing austenitic steels. The steel strip then passes through the
cooling section and may be cooled using gas jets, air, water sprays or water quenching.
Continuous annealing is generally combined with a descaling/pickling plant as described above
to form a continuous annealing and pickling line. [EUROFER CR]
Descaling and Pickling
After annealing the steel is descaled to produce a steel surface suitable for cold rolling.
Mechanical descaling such as shot blasting or scale breaking may be used prior to chemical
pickling to remove the heavy scale burden. However, careful control of such mechanical
processes is necessary to minimize damage to the strip surface, which could affect the final
product quality.
Final scale removal including the removal of the chromium depleted layer beneath the scale is
generally done by pickling in a mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acids at temperatures of up to
70oC. The acid concentrations employed depend on the material being processed but are
normally in the range 10 - 18 % nitric acid and 1 - 5 % hydrofluoric acid.
The chemical reactions that take place during the pickling of stainless steels are complex and
involve the removal of the adherent scale layer by the combined action of the acids used. The
dominating chemical reaction during pickling is the dissolution of metals by the nitric acid. As a
by-product of these reactions both nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide are formed. The
reactions shown below are for the dominant metal iron but similar reactions also occur for the
alloy elements present in the stainless steel such as nickel and chromium.
Fe + 4H+ + NO3- = Fe3+ + NO + 2H2O
Fe + 6H+ + 3NO3- = Fe3+ + 3NO2 + 3H2O
The NOx generated is partially soluble in the acid but once the limit of solubility is reached the
NOx fumes transfer to the gaseous phase and are released from the pickling tanks. The rate of
formation of NOx increases with increasing temperature.
The metal ions formed in the dissolution reactions then react with the hydrofluoric acid leading
to the formation of metal complexes.
2HF + Fe3+ = FeF2+ + 2H+
3HF + Fe3+ = FeF3 + 3H+
The combination of these two sets of reactions results in the consumption of both nitric and
hydrofluoric acids. To maintain the optimum conditions for descaling regular additions of fresh

Part A/Chapter 2
acid are made as required. The iron fluoride complexes produced in the dissolution reactions
have a limited solubility and if the concentration of iron is allowed to reach 5 % (40 g/l) then
precipitation of iron fluoride will commence. This precipitation causes the formation of large
quantities of a hard crystalline sludge.
Pickling line design is usually the same as for pickling of low alloy steels. Except, that on exit
from the last pickling tank the steel strip is rinsed with water to remove traces of acid, dried, but
no application of oil is necessary because of the corrosion resistance of the steel.
[EUROFER CR]
A.2.2.4 Cold Rolling of the Pickled Hot Rolled Strip
A.2.2.4.1 Low Alloy and Alloy Steel
In cold rolling the pickled hot rolled bars, sheets or strips are passed through sets of rolls on
reversing mills or on continuous in-line mills. Low carbon steels which are less hard, are
generally rolled in multi-stand tandem mills due to a higher capacity of these mills. They
consist of a series of four or six-high stands. The strip enters the first stand and undergoes an
initial thickness reduction, further reductions are achieved in each subsequent stand until the
final gauge is attained.
For low carbon strip generally an emulsion of 0.5 to 4 % (10 – 20 % for direct application) of
oil in water is necessary for
· Lubrication.
· Cooling of the strip, work and back-up rolls.
· Removal of Fe-particles.
In the rolling process the wide strip is mainly deformed in a longitudinal direction, with
transverse deformation being practically negligible. The thickness reduction of the material is
obtained by the influence of the rolling forces and the strip tensions (forward and back) applied.
The cold forming process leads to a corresponding hardening of the material. Exact mass flow
control (control of rolling force and/or position), assisted by laser control of the strip speed and
tension, may be used. Additional automatic control loops for flatness (roll bending, zone
cooling, etc.) are used to obtain the required flatness of the strip. The roughness texture of the
strip surface is applied in the last stand of the tandem mill.
For optimum strip surface cleanliness it is important to avoid contamination of the tandem
emulsion by the hydraulic oil, by the Morgoil oil, by grease or by the cooling water (used to
cool the emulsion). Precautions taken to avoid any contamination may include:
· Continuous monitoring of oil levels.

· Monitoring of the oil concentration.
· Regular control of hydraulic equipment and bearings.
· Monitoring of emulsion parameters such as temperature, pH value, saponification index,
acid value, conductivity.
· Filtering of the tandem emulsion (using techniques such as magnetic filters, paper filters,
precoat filters).
To clean the strip and remove any remaining soap or oil, it may be subjected to chemical and/or
electrochemical degreasing. For this purpose, cleaning zones are installed on the entry side of
the downstream processing plants such as hot dip galvanising plants or continuous annealing
plants. [EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 2
Conventional discontinuous rolling
The pickled hot rolled strip is fed into the cold rolling mill coil by coil. This results in a
variation in the strip thickness corresponding to the geometrical conditions of the line at the
strip ends during threading and at the exit of the coil end.
To produce ‘mill clean sheet’, often a thin emulsion with a maximum concentration of 1 % can
be used on the last stands of the tandem mill. The emulsion is usually applied via spray nozzles
onto the rolls and the strip. Sometimes higher concentrations are used in direct application
systems.
Discontinuous rolling offers a high degree of process flexibility to account for variations in
product mix. The technique is preferable for certain steel qualities. [EUROFER CR]
Continuous Rolling
To achieve the narrowest possible thickness tolerances, maximum output and optimum
productivity figures, a shallow tank turbulence pickling plant can be coupled with a tandem
mill, which is enlarged by one stand. Usually an accumulator and a welding machine before a
tandem has the same good results and a bigger increased capacity. The use of a welding
machine and the accumulator allows coils to be joint and the strip to be fed to the mill
continuously.
On a tandem line, the entering pickled hot rolled strip is reduced to the desired final thickness
on a single pass through the line. Owing to the installation of several separate emulsion systems,
a special emulsion can be applied in the last stand to increase the cleaning effect. For this
purpose, either a detergent or a thin emulsion (1 % oil content) can be used.
Continuous rolling can allow good control of the strip thickness for coil ends and of surface
quality. This can have a beneficial effect on material yield. In addition it allows oil consumption
to be optimised. [EUROFER CR]
A.2.2.4.2 High Alloy Steel
After the initial annealing and pickling the steel is generally rolled to the required thickness on
reversing cluster mills for a number of passes until the desired dimensions are achieved or until
work hardening necessitates further annealing.
The process of cold reduction generates heat, part of which is transferred to the rolling oil which
is sprayed onto the steel and rolls for cooling as well as lubrication. This heat is subsequently
dissipated through heat exchangers to cooling water systems.
Mineral oils are generally used as rolling oil and close control of the oil cleanliness is necessary
for optimum performance. This may be achieved using oil filtration circuits, which incorporate
media element filters or powder pre-coat filter systems. Although the use of mineral oils
predominates, emulsion cooling systems similar to those used for carbon steels may be
employed. In such cases additional precautions must be taken to control oil cleanliness in order
to avoid strip marking.
Collection hoods are fitted to the mill and operate under continuous extraction to remove oil
mist that is generated. [EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.2.5 Annealing of Low Alloy and Alloy Steel
The basic stages of the annealing process comprise:
· Heating to annealing temperature (above 650 °C).

· Holding at annealing temperature.
· Cooling.
This annealing process may be carried out in batch furnaces or continuous furnaces. The
annealing cycle has a significant influence on the mechanical properties and, consequently, on
the formability of the steel strip. The main parameter controlling the annealing cycle is the
temperature profile. It varies, depending on whether the annealing is carried out in a continuous
or batch furnace, and depending on the required strength or hardness of the product. The
annealing cycle depends on a number of parameters including the actual material analysis, the
reduction realised during cold rolling, the required mechanical properties and the required
surface cleanliness, the type of protective gas, etc.
Continuous annealing and batch annealing are considered to be complementary processes and
not fully interchangeable. Production related issues are integral to the selection of the annealing
technique.
A.2.2.5.1 Batch Annealing
Degreasing /Cleaning by means of alkali

Prior to the annealing process the strip may be cleaned (degreased) to produce a cleaner surface.
The cleaning serves to remove oil residues from the steel surface. The process is similar to that
used for acid pickling except for the chemicals that are used. The most frequently used cleaning
agents are phosphates, alkaline silicates, caustic soda and soda ash. Electrolytic cleaning and
brushes are also used in some cases to remove iron fines from the strip surface.
The steel sheet is unwound from the coil and passed through cleaning tanks, which may be
stirred to improve the cleaning effect. Subsequently, the steel is rinsed with water and recoiled.
The degreasing solution can be regenerated and recycled.
Annealing
The cold rolled coiled strip is stacked in a hood furnace for annealing (see Figure A.2-31). The
combustion chamber (space between heating and protecting hood) is heated by oil or gas
burners. Heat passes through the protective hood into where the steel coils are stacked. A
circulating fan provides as uniform temperature distribution as possible. The atmosphere in
conventional plants is usually HNX gas (a nitrogen-hydrogen mixture with a hydrogen content
close to the flammability limit). The atmosphere can also be 100 % H2 as in parts of the
working cycle of high convection furnaces.

Part A/Chapter 2
Heating hood
Protecting hood
Burner
Coils
Circulated
inert gas
Off gas
Heating space Circulating fan ann_hood.ds4
Figure A.2-31: Schematic of a hood-type annealing furnace

[DFIU98]
The heat passes into the coils through their outer edges, so that these areas are always hotter
than the inner windings, especially during heating up. The heat treatment causes the organic
residues of the emulsion to partly burn off; partly a distillation process takes place. Products of
the reactions taking place are CO/CO2, H2, FeOx and CH4. The strip is heated to re-
crystallisation temperature, and annealed at about 700 o C resulting in complete re-
crystallisation of the cold rolled steel. For cooling the coils, the heating hood is removed. The
cooling effect can be enhanced by spraying water on the protecting hood; by covering it with a
cooling bell and blowing air on it or by using a cooling by-pass system which cools the
protective atmosphere under the protective hood. The time necessary for annealing depends on
the annealing temperature and the weight of the charge and can take 2 to 7 days.
Annealing in this type of furnace is very slow and also the cooling rate is not suitable for certain
steel grades. Therefore an annealing process in a 100 % hydrogen atmosphere was developed
yielding in shorter annealing times and more rapid cooling.
A.2.2.5.2 Continuous Annealing
For continuous annealing the coils are welded together on the entry side of the plant and
subjected to the following process steps:
· Alkaline/electrolytic cleaning of the strips.

· Heating and holding at the required annealing temperature.
· Cooling (slow jet cooling, high gas jet cooling (using cooling rates up to 150 °C/s, hot water
quench (HOWAQ), overaging, roll cooling, final cooling, misting jet cooling).
The continuous annealing is carried out by passing the steel strip through a multi-zone heating
furnace with heating chamber, annealing chamber, cooling zone, tempering zone and a second
cooling zone. The steel is heated to a range between 650 °C and 830 °C and then cooled by gas
jets, gas-water sprays, contact rolls or water quenching, depending on the desired metallurgical

Part A/Chapter 2
properties. These furnaces are usually fired by gas (direct or indirect) or electrically heated. The
steel can be protected by an inert gas atmosphere or a reducing gas atmosphere in parts of the
furnace. The principle operational steps for continuous annealing are shown in Figure A.2-32.
11
4
10
1 9
2 3
13
14 12
15
7 8
1. Uncoiler 6. Entry looping car 11. Upper top roll

2. Crop shears 7. Entry section 12. Strip exit
3. Welding machine 8. Dancer roll 13. Exit looping car
4. Strip cleaning 9. Furnace 14. Crop shears
5. Looping tower 10.Cooling section 15. Coiler
Figure A.2-32: Example of a continuous annealing furnace

[DFIU98]
Continuous annealing gives a shorter processing time (about 10 minutes), less intermediate
storage, uniform mechanical properties and a superior surface cleanliness. Continuous annealing
is more appropriate for the production of higher strength steels. The layout of the furnace
facilitates energy recovery from the exhaust gas.
A.2.2.6 Annealing (II) and Pickling (II) of High Alloy Steel
Degreasing
Prior to the final annealing process, degreasing of the strip may be required to remove any
contaminants from the steel surface. This can be achieved using an alkali based cleaning
systems, which may be incorporated in the entry section of continuous annealing lines.
The steel coil is unwound and passed through a series of tanks containing the cleaning
solutions. Agitation of the solution is usually incorporated to enhance the cleaning. Afterwards
the strip is rinsed with water. De-mineralised water can be used for the final rinsing step.
[EUROFER CR]
Annealing
The process route for final annealing and pickling is dictated by the surface finish required.
Examples of this are EN standard finish ‘2R’ which requires a bright annealing treatment and
surface finish ‘2B’ which requires annealing and pickling.
Bright annealing is generally conducted in an electrically heated or gas fired furnace with a
protective inert atmosphere of nitrogen and/or hydrogen. Both batch annealing and continuous

Part A/Chapter 2
annealing may be used. Degreasing of the steel surface is required to prevent surface
discolouration.
Material with a ‘2B’ surface finish is generally processed on continuous annealing and pickling
lines. The furnace design and operation is generally similar to that for the annealing of hot band
material described above. The steel is unwound and passed through one or more furnaces,
which are usually gas fired. Annealing takes place in an oxygen rich atmosphere. This is
necessary to ensure that the scale generated in the furnace is of a composition that is readily
removable by the downstream chemical pickling processes.
Pickling
Unlike the descaling of hot band material described above, mechanical descaling techniques
cannot be employed to assist in the removal of this scale due to the surface damage which
would result for the final cold rolled strip. Therefore only chemical pickling is applied. This is
done in the same manner as described above for hot band pickling.
Scale of high alloy steel, due to the presence of oxides of alloying elements, cannot always be
removed in just a single acid descaling step. Additional treatment or pre-treatment processes
may be necessary. These may include scale removal by an initial electrolytic descaling process
(using e.g. sodium sulfate) installed prior to the mixed acid section. Generally these facilities
operate with neutral salts or acids as the electrolyte. It is appropriate to consider the electrolytic
process as a pre-pickling system as satisfactory descaling cannot be achieved with this section
alone. However the length of mixed acid section required (and hence the acid consumption and
environmental impacts) is considerably reduced. Furthermore the combination of electrolytic
and mixed acid can provide an improved surface finish. [EUROFER CR], [Com2 CR]
A.2.2.7 Tempering of Cold Rolled Strip
A.2.2.7.1 Low Alloy and Alloy Steel
After annealing the surface finish and mechanical properties of the steel are modified in line
with the customer requirements. This is done by temper rolling which consists of subjecting the
strip to a light rolling pass with a thickness reduction between 0.3 and 2 %. Before tempering
the strip temperature must be less than 50 °C.
Temper rolling is carried out in the temper mill which comprises typically one or two four-high
stands, although two-high or six-high stands are also possible. For tin plate production two four
high stands is common. The rolls for these stands have an extremely precise surface finish in
order to control the final roughness of the strip in line with the end use of the finished product.
Tempering also improves strip flatness.
To avoid residues from the rolling process remaining on the strip cleaning agents, (a wet temper
rolling agent), can be used during tempering. The rolls may also be brushed with mechanical
polishing equipment and an associated extraction system. [EUROFER CR]
A.2.2.7.2 High Alloy Steel
Similar to the process route for carbon steels temper rolling or skin pass rolling is completed in
order to attain the desired surface finish on the steel. This cold rolling treatment, comprising a
minimal reduction in gauge (up to 2 %) is generally performed dry without application of oil for
cooling. The temper mill usually comprises a single two or four high stand with precision
ground rolls.

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.2.8 Finishing
Finishing comprises slitting into coils of different width strip and transversal shearing to obtain
sheet. Additional steps such as straightening, sampling, oiling and marking are also completed.
In general the techniques used are similar for both low alloy and high alloy steels, however
oiling is not required for stainless steels.
The finishing process comprises the following operations:
· Dimensional control (width, thickness and length).

· Inspection for surface defects and their removal.
· Sampling to determine the mechanical and technological properties, the strip roughness
structure and the content of residue of particles from roll wear and carbon on the strip
surface (statistical sampling).
· Trimming the coils to exact width.
· Straightening the strips to optimum flatness.
· Oiling the strips with electrostatic oiling machines or with oiling machines equipped with
sprays or rolls oiling machines (anticorrosive oils or prelubes).
· Marking the finished products with coil number, production date, etc.
· Welding of different smaller coils to bigger coils.
In the finishing shops the coil weights used for maximising productivity are cut into the coil
weights ordered by the customers. Defective coil parts are eliminated or if necessary, the
material is subjected to additional treatment for removal of the defects. This can include
additional annealing, temper rolling or straightening. [EUROFER CR]
Strip grinding
Grinding of the steel surface may be used to generate a uniform surface quality as well as
rectifying defects. The strip is usually decoiled on dedicated process lines, sprayed with oil and
ground with belts of varying surface roughness. Mineral oil is generally used for this process
and filtration circuits employed to separate the swarf generated during grinding.
[EUROFER CR]
Packing
The material, now in its final form, is usually packed ready for despatch to the customer. The
packaging is designed to ensure that no damage occurs either during storage or transport to the
end user. Control measures also have to be taken to prevent damage from mechanical and
climatic sources. In addition the lifting and transport equipment in the production plant should
also be designed and operated to minimize damage to the steel. After finishing, packing of the
individual items ordered by the customers is done. The packing materials used includes: steel
bands, paper, plastic, wood, seaworthy packing, special packing. [EUROFER CR]
A.2.2.9 Roll Shop
The activities generally consist of the dismantling of the chocks, the grinding of the rolls, the
texturing of the work rolls and the reassembling of the rolls.
To satisfy the required strip tolerances and surface standards the rolls must be regularly
reground. During this grinding operation the rolls are usually cooled and lubricated with a
grinding emulsion. The spent emulsion can be recirculated and filtered, but partial replacement
is required periodically. In addition, used oil and grinding sludge are produced which require
disposal.

Part A/Chapter 2
The principal roll texturing systems used include:

· SBT (Shot Blast Texturing): This is a mechanical application of the texture onto the roll
using grit blasting.
· EDT (Electron Discharge Texturing): The work rolls are textured by spark generation in an
oil bath.
· EBT (Electron Beam Texturing): In this system the roll is placed in a vacuum chamber and
the texture is applied by means of an electron beam gun.
· Laser Tex (Laser Texturing): The roll is textured to predetermined roughness by Laser gun.
· Pretex (Premium Texturing): The roll is textured by a rough electrolytical chromium
plating. The chromium plating process is fully enclosed and fitted with an exhaust gas
system using a wet scrubber. The whole process operates without an effluent discharge,
because of the evaporative losses [EUROFER CR].
A.2.2.10 Water and Process Baths Management in Cold Rolling Mills
Water is used in cold rolling mills to clean the surface of rolling stock, for preparation of
pickling and degreasing baths, for rinsing and for cooling. Pickling and related processes
(rinsing, gas cleaning operations, acid regeneration) cause acidic waste water streams. In case
that degreasing is part of the processing also alkaline waste water arises.
For cooling and lubrication water/oil emulsions are used in the rolling sections, which gives rise
to oil and suspended solid loaded waste water streams. Generally, emulsion and degreasing
solutions are recycled to the process in closed loops. Water used for indirect cooling is also
operated in closed loop circuits. (Classifications and definitions for water circuits are in analogy
to those used in hot rolling, refer to Chapter A.2.1.15)
A.2.2.10.1 Emulsion System
In cold rolling mills normally emulsion cycles, as shown in Figure A.2-33 are installed. To
maintain these loops the circulated liquids have to be treated and conditioned by emulsion
settling and cooling. Measures to maintain the quality of the emulsion and to extend the lifetime
are described in Chapter 4.
COLD ROLLING
STANDS
Electrical Energy
Rolling Oil Acid, Alkali, Salt, Polyelectrolyte
EMULSION SETTLING,
COOLING &
RECIRCULATION
Fresh FRESH EMULSION +DIRECT USED EMULSION Cleaned
Water PREPARATION APPLICATION SPLITTING Water
Cooling Water
Oil Sludge
Figure A.2-33: General emulsion flow

[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.2.10.2 Degreasing Solution System
In degreasing solutions systems (see Figure A.2-34) the re-circulation of the solution is enabled
by removing oil and other contamination, e.g. by magnetic filtering or ultrafiltration. Cleaning
measures are described in Chapter 4.
ELECTROLYTIC
DEGREASING
before
CONTIN. ANNEALING
Electrical Energy
Degreaser 'Acid, Alkali, Flocculant, Polyelectrolyte
MAGNETIC FILTERING,
ULTRAFILTRATION
& RECIRCULATION
Fresh FRESH SOLUTION of ALKALINE WASTE Cleaned
Water PREPARATION DEGREASING SOLUTION WATER TREATMENT Water
Oil Sludge
Figure A.2-34: Degreasing solution flow (continuous annealing line)

[EUROFER CR]
A.2.2.10.3 Cooling Water Systems
In cold rolling mills, cooling water is required to dissipate excessive heat from the rolling
process (rolling energy) and from the annealing furnaces (heating energy). The rolling energy is
mainly transferred via the emulsion and/or the emulsion cooler and partly via the lubricant and
hydraulic cooler to the cooling water. The main cooling water consumers are:
· Emulsion cooling for tandem line.

· Skin pass mill stand installed downstream to batch annealing plant.
· Continuous annealing plant with skin pass mill stand.
· Cooling of transformers and motors.
· Oil lubrication facilities.
The thermally loaded cooling water is recooled with industrial water in plate heat exchangers, if
adequate water supplies are available, or by evaporation in cooling towers. Recooling in heat
exchangers offers the advantage that considerable amounts of chemicals for cooling water (such
as corrosion inhibitors, hardness stabilisers, dispersants and biocides) can be saved and are not
discharged into the sewage system. The cooling water circuits are treated with corrosion
inhibitors, but discharge of a partial flow with a high salt content is not necessary with these
closed circuits. For cooling tower circuits, in contrast, regular discharge of partial flows to a
sewage system is required to counteract salt concentration resulting from evaporation.
Moreover, the formation of water vapour (industrial snow), associated with cooling towers and
sometimes a problem in some areas in Europe, is avoided.
In principle both the use of recooling and evaporative cooling towers are viable system for use
and the choice of system will depend on location and other site specific issues. In some
countries taxes are levied on abstraction and discharging water which can affect the choice of
system used. [Com2 CR]
Figure A.2-35, Figure A.2-36 and Figure A.2-37 show examples of cooling water cycles.

Part A/Chapter 2
TANDEM MILL:
Gear Oil Cooling
Hydraulics Cooling
Motor Cooling
Emulsion Cooling
TEMPER PASS MILL
SLITTING & CUTTING LINE
River Water HEAT EXCHANGER INSPECTION LINES
ROLL GRINDING MACHINES
TRANSPORT UNIT Hydraulics
Corrosion Inhibitor AIR CONDITIONING:
Main Control Room
Soft Water Electric Rooms
Figure A.2-35: Cooling water system for a cold mill

[EUROFER CR]
HEAT EXCHANGER HCl-PICKLING LINE:
River Water
BATCH ANNEALING
Industrial Water
Figure A.2-36: Cooling water system for HCl-pickling and batch annealing
[EUROFER CR]
CONTIN. ANNEALING LINE:

Inlet Side
Welding Machine
Precleaning
River Water HEAT EXCHANGER Furnace
Air Conditioning
Corrosion Inhibitor Tempering Mill
Demin Water Outlet Side
Figure A.2-37: Cooling water system for a continuous annealing line

[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.2.10.4 Waste Water Treatment
Waste water from cold rolling operations, which cannot be regenerated or used elsewhere in the
production line, has to be treated prior to discharge.
Acidic waste water from rinsing or acid regeneration is usually treated by neutralisation with
agents, such as calcium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide. The dissolved metal ions are
precipitated as hydroxides and then separated by sedimentation techniques including
clarification or filtration. Flocculants are sometimes used to assist the process. The sludge is de-
watered, e.g. by filter presses, to reduce the final volume of sludge.
Where electrolytic chemical pre-pickling processes are used additional effluent treatment steps
may be required. Typically these can incorporate chromium (VI) reduction processes using
sodium bisulphite or iron (II) compounds.
Alkaline waste water streams may be neutralised using HCl, filtered and then discharged.
Spent coolants/lubricants (emulsions) are treated by emulsion breaking, either done thermal,
chemical, mechanical or physical, followed by a separation of water and oily phase
A.2.2.11 Waste and By-product Management in Cold Rolling Mills
Cold rolling gives rise to solid residues, such as scrap (cleaning rags, cleaning paper), sludges
from the waste water treatment plants, remainder of packing material and dust.
Scrap is recycled in the works for steel production. The oil-containing sludges from the waste
water treatment plants may be used in blast furnaces.
Acid regeneration sludges can be recycled in steel plants (EAF and blast furnace) or given to
external recycling firms for the production of iron oxides.
The iron sulphate-heptahydrate from the sulphuric acid regeneration plant can be used:
- For the production of complex iron-cyan salts.
- As flocculation agents in waste water treatment plants.
- For the production of gas adsorption mass.
- As chemical amelioration agent.
- For the production of iron oxide pigments, and
- For the production of sulphuric acid [Com D].
The iron oxide from the hydrochloride acid regeneration can be used in several industries as
high quality input, e.g.:
- As input for the production of ferromagnetic materials.

- As input for the production of iron powder, or
- As input for the production of construction material, pigments, glass and ceramics [Com D].
Sludges from oil recovery are externally used, either by incineration or for oil recuperation in
specially dedicated plants.
Only a small part of the sludges from waste water treatment is internally recycled, the vast
majority of is landfilled.
Oily wastes (oil, emulsion, greases) arising are internally or externally used by incineration.

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.3 WIRE PLANTS
A.2.3.1 Wire Drawing Process Overview
Wire drawing is a process in which wire rods/wires are reduced in size by drawing them
through cone-shaped openings of a smaller cross section, so called dies. The input usually is
wire rod of diameters raging from 5.5 to 16 mm obtained from hot rolling mills in form of coils.
A typical wire drawing process line comprises the following steps:
· Pre-treatment of the wire rod (mechanical descaling, pickling).

· Dry or wet drawing (usually several drafts with decreasing die sizes).
● Heat treatment (continuous-/discontinuos annealing, patenting, oil hardening).
· Finishing.
Wire is manufactured in different grades of steel: low carbon steel with carbon content of up to
0.25 %, high carbon steel with a carbon content of over 0.25 %, stainless and other alloy steel.
Non-alloy steel wire can be uncoated or coated with zinc, copper, brass, tin, nickel, chrome,
plastic or varnish. Wire is send in coil form to further processing, like coating and
manufacturing of finished products (e.g. cable, mesh, barbed wire, wire fencing, grill, springs,
nails). [Bekaert94], [Pan97]
wire rod storage

raw material
chemical pickling
wire rod preparation

rinsing mechanical descaling
put soap carrier
dry drawing
drawing machine
heat treat in lead bath

recristallisation
pot or bell annealing
or annealing, depending
water quench bath
on mechanical properties
pickling in line
rinsing
flux bath
galvanization * zinc bath
cooling
evt. waxing
further internal or external processing
* galvanization is dealt with in Part B of this BREF
Figure A.2-38: Production of low carbon galvanized wire

[Bekaert98]

Part A/Chapter 2
wire rod storage

raw material
chemical pickling
wire rod preparation
rinsing mechanical descaling
put soap carrier
dry drawing
drawing machine
heat treat in oven

patenting
heat treat in lead bath
water quench bath
pickling in line
rinsing
galvanization *
flux bath
zinc bath
cooling
further internal or external processing
* galvanization is dealt with in Part B of this BREF
Figure A.2-39: Production of high carbon galvanized wire

[Bekaert98]
Because of the huge variety of wire products, many different processing schemes exist, dictated
by wire diameter and required mechanical and other quality specifications. The process schemes
shown in Figure A.2-38 and Figure A.2-39 cover the majority of galvanized wire that is
produced in Europe (and worldwide). A fraction is sold as such; a fraction is processed further
by wet drawing or by processes that fall out of the scope of the BREF, such as welding,
electroplating, weaving, cabling, bunching, painting, plastic coating, cutting to length, etc.
A.2.3.2 Wire Rod Preparation
Air-cooling after rolling produces an iron oxide-layer (scale) on the wire rod surface. This layer
is very hard, brittle and not deformable and must therefore be removed before any further
processing can take place. In most cases, this is done by the wire industry. For stainless steel
however, this is typically done by the steel mill.
Two techniques for descaling wire rods are applied: mechanical descaling and chemical
pickling. Some categories of end products can only be produced from mechanically descaled
wire at a reduced drawing speed (needing more drawing machine capacity, meaning higher
investment costs). The decision on the descaling technique is therefore done by each individual
plant, based on product qualities and economical considerations.

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.3.2.1 Mechanical Descaling of Wire Rod
In the most common mechanical descaling method applied: wire bending, the wire is bend to
cause the brittle scale to peel off. Other descaling techniques, like sanding, brushing or shot
blasting, are used as a finishing step after wire bending to remove loose scale or are used as
stand-alone techniques.
Batch shot blasting is a common technique for mechanical descaling of heavy diameter wire rod
(e.g. used for cold heading applications). However mechanical descaling is generally done in a
continuous way.
Depending on the finish of the wire rod and the quality requirements of the product, descaling
by reverse bending is completed or possibly replaced by an abrasive method such as sanding,
brushing, shot blasting or stream descaling. By combining reverse bending with one of these
auxiliary methods, complete removal of the oxide layer can be achieved, reaching a similar
surface cleanliness as with chemical pickling. [Com2 BG]
Compared to chemical pickling of wire rod, mechanical descaling has the advantage that one
production step is eliminated as the descaling unit is normally coupled directly to the drawing
machine. On the other hand, it is difficult to obtain the same level of drawability with
mechanical descaling. [CET-BAT]
A.2.3.2.2 Chemical Descaling (Pickling) of Wire Rod
In chemical descaling the mill scale is removed by dissolving in acid. Acids used are:
· Sulphuric or hydrochloric acid for low carbon wire.

· Hydrochloric acid for high carbon wire.
Pickling is mostly done in a batch process. Each roll of wire rod is immersed in the acid bath.
The acid slowly dissolves the oxide layer by transforming it into iron chlorides or sulphates.
When pickling in HCl an H2-inhibitor is used to suppress the reaction: 2 HCl + Fe -> FeCl2 + H2
and reduce the unwanted loss of iron.
After pickling the wire rod coils are rinsed in water. This is usually done in cascade rinsing (e.g.
rinsing 3 times) to yield maximum rinsing efficiency and minimum water consumption.
[Bekaert94], [Bekaert98]
A.2.3.2.3 Application of Soap (Lubricant) Carrier
In some cases, soap carrier is applied to enhance the adhesion of the lubricant to the wire. A
wide range of soap carriers is available. Selection is made on economical basis and on required
properties in downstream processes. Traditional soap carriers include lime, borax and Zn-
phosphate. Modern soap carriers are typically mixtures of soluble salts, e.g. sodium and
potassium sulphate, chloride, borax, phosphate or silicate. They are adapted to a particular soap
and a particular drawing situation.
Soap carrier is applied before drawing by dipping the wire in a watery soap carrier solution.
This can be done in a batch process, usually associated with chemical descaling, or continuous
in association with mechanical descaling.

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.3.3 Drawing
A.2.3.3.1 Dry Drawing of Wire
Dry drawing is typically used to draw wire rod (> 5.5 mm) to a product diameter of 1 - 2 mm
and some times even lower. The diameter of wire is reduced by passing it through a series of
dies with diminishing diameter. Before entering the dies, the wire is passed through a dry
lubricant. In most cases, soap-based lubricants are used with the soap formulation depending on
choice of fats from which the soap is produced, choice of fillers or choice of additives. In
exceptional cases (e.g. special steels, wire with special metal coatings) other lubricants like
pastes or oils can be used.
The drawing operation heats both (wire and drawing die) through friction of the wire. Cooling
is done indirectly, by cooling the capstans in contact with the wire with water.
Wet Drawing of Wire
Wet drawing is typically used to draw wire with an intermediate product diameter of 1 - 2 mm
to final diameter. The wire is also passed through a series of dies with diminishing diameter, but
wire, dies and capstans are immersed in a lubricant liquid that provides lubrication and cooling.
Typically, soap or oil emulsions (for some applications plain oil) are used. The heat resulting
from drawing operation is taken up by the lubricant, which is cooled indirectly with water.
A.2.3.4 Heat Treatment of Wire
Heat treatment of wire has different goals. Therefore different types of heat treatment are
available depending on the type of steel (low carbon / high carbon / stainless) and the final use
(desired ductility and strength). Heat treatment also thermally removes soap and lubricant
residues.
A considerable percentage of the output of the wire industry does not need any heat-treatment.
The heavy deformation of the metal crystal structure caused by drawing is mostly a positive
property, as it increases the hardness and the strength of the wire in the axial direction.
A.2.3.4.1 Batch Annealing of Low Carbon Steel Wire
Drawing profoundly deforms the shape of the metal crystals of the wire. Annealing is one of the
different methods to re-obtain a suited crystal shape. Batch annealing, typically used for low
carbon steel wire to obtain a very soft and ductile end product, is done in bell or pot furnaces.
Batch annealing is done by putting coils of drawn wire in chambers (called "pots" or "bells"),
filled with a protective gas. The protective gas is either neutral or reducing. The most common
protective gasses are nitrogen, hydrogen, nitrogen/hydrogen mixtures and partly oxidized
natural gas (or similar fuel). The chambers are heated from outside, typically by gas or fuel.
The warming up from room to peak temperature (roughly 700 °C) takes several hours; also
cooling down again takes several hours. In order to keep an over-pressure in the "pots" or
"bells", a fraction of the protective gas is continuously purged.
In some cases, the wire is oiled immediately after annealing.

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.3.4.2 Continuous (In-Line) Annealing of Low Carbon Steel Wire
Continuous annealing or strand-annealing has a similar goal as batch annealing: restore a suited
crystal texture to the steel in the wire after drawing. But the desired crystal shape and metal
properties are different from those that are desired when batch-annealing is applied. Continuous
annealing is a typical heat treatment method for low carbon products.
Strand-annealing is a fast continuous process. The wire is heated up to the recrystallisation

temperature (500 - 700 °C), is kept at this temperature for a few seconds, and is cooled down
again by quenching in a water bath.
A typical line is equipped for 15 - 50 wires and is characterised by a particular v x d (wire speed
x wire diameter). This means that wires of different diameters can be processed together at the
same line, but the higher the diameter of a wire, the lower its speed. Modern lines have a v x d
of 100 - 200 m/min x mm (in other words, a 1 mm wire is processed at speeds of 100 - 200
m/min). For specialities, lines with a few or only one wire and/or operating at a lower v x d, are
used. Strand-annealing is often combined in one production line with other unit processes e.g.
with hot-dip coating.
Commonly the wire is heated by passing through a molten lead bath. A fast heat-up is essential
for strand–annealing. Due to a very high heat transfer coefficient of lead (3000 W/m2.K)
equilibrium between wire and lead-bath temperature is reached after a few seconds. Other
methods such as an oven or inductive heating are alternatives, only in some niches e.g. one-wire
lines, lines operating at low speed or lines designed to run with only one diameter at a time.
After the heat-treatment, the wire is generally quenched in water. This can be followed by in-
line pickling with warm or cold HCl to remove oxides which also partly dissolves the
potentially dragged lead. Other acids or electrolytically assisted pickling can be used as well.
Pickling is followed by a rinsing cascade. At some plants, pickling is done as the first operation
of the next process step. Often pickling is omitted after heat treatment under protective
atmosphere.
A.2.3.4.3 Continuous (In-Line) Annealing of Stainless Steel Wire
Stainless and high alloyed steel wire is continuously annealed to obtain suited metal crystal
properties for (further) drawing operations. For stainless steel, the heat-treatment is done under
a protective gas atmosphere. If no protective atmosphere would be used, the stainless steel wire
would be oxidized; removal of these oxides would require pickling with special acids such as
HNO3, HNO3/HF,... (cfr. production of stainless steel strip). The temperature profile used,
varies with the type -content of Ni, Cr or other alloying elements- of stainless steel that is
processed (700 – 1100 oC).
The wire is passed through tubes or a muffle, under a protective gas. The purge of protective
gas is similar to what is described for batch-annealing. The first part of the tubes or muffle is
placed in an oven (indirect heating of the wire); the second part is cooled indirectly, e.g. by
cooling with water. The heating can be done by electricity (resistance heating, inductive
heating) or by combustion. [CET-BAT]
A.2.3.4.4 Patenting
Patenting is a heat-treatment method typically used for high-carbon and alloyed steel products
to create a special crystal structure, which allows easy further deformation. In contrast to

Part A/Chapter 2
annealing where iron and iron/carbon compounds tend to be separated, patenting yields a
structure where the carbon is homogeneously distributed in the iron.
Patenting is done by heating the wire to 850 - 1000 °C, then cooling fast to 450 - 600 °C and
keeping the wire for a while a this temperature, and finally quenching in water. Patenting is
usually done continuously and often combined with other unit processes, e.g. hot dip coating.
Heating to 850 - 1000 °C is done in an oven where the wire is in contact with the combustion
gasses. Intermediate cooling and keeping at 450 - 600 °C is done in a lead bath. For small lines
designed for specialities (e.g. fine diameters or mono-wire lines) other heating methods such as
heating under protective gas atmosphere and electric ovens can be used. For the patenting of
thick diameters, sometimes a molten salt bath is used.
In the fuel fired oven, a slight substoichiometric mixture is used in the burners. In this way, all
O2 is excluded from the oven atmosphere, in order to minimize the formation of iron oxides at
the wire surface. Excessive formation of iron oxide leads to high losses of wire material and to
excessive consumption of pickling acid, and leads to excessive dragout of lead.
Final cooling is done by quenching in a water bath followed by the same procedure as in
continuous annealing.
A.2.3.4.5 Oil Hardening and Tempering (Oil Tempering)
Oil hardening and tempering creates a special crystal structure in the steel with a high
percentage of martensite, resulting in increased hardness and wear resistance combined with
good thoughness. First, the wire is heated to 850 – 1000 oC, followed by rapid cooling.
Heating is typically done under protective atmosphere using electricity (radiation, inductive
heating) or combustion. The purge of protective gas is similar to what is described for batch-
annealing. Quenching is traditionally done in oil, but also other quenching media can be used
such as water or water with additions. (Note: although it is not unusual to quench in other
media than oil, the normal way of referring to this process step is still oil-hardening).
Oil-hardening is always followed by a tempering or stress-relieving step, in order to remove the

stresses caused by the extremely fast cooling. This is done by heating the wire again to 300 -
500 °C. Typically a normal oven is used, with electrical heating or direct heating with a typical
combustion gas, but also inductive heating can be used.
A.2.3.4.6 Stress-relieving
The goal of stress-relieving is to remove internal stresses in the wire caused by a previous
processing steps, without changing the shape and structure of the steel crystal. The internal
stresses can be caused by deformation (mechanical stresses) or by fast cooling (thermal
stresses). Stress-relieving as a stand-alone heat-treatment step is a typical process step for the
production of PC-strand (wire for prestressed concrete).
Stress-relieving can be done at various temperatures (200 - 500 °C), dependent on the desired
characteristics of the final product. Typically a normal oven is used, with electrical heating or
direct heating with a typical combustion gas, but also inductive heating can be used. After
stress-relieving, the wire is cooled relatively slowly in air or water. [CET-BAT]

Part A/Chapter 2
A.2.3.5 In-line Pickling
In-line pickling is a typical operation after heat-treatment and/or before hot-dip coating of wire.
It is used to clean the wire and to remove metal oxides. The wire is passed continuously through
one or more acid baths. The most common acid is HCl, but other acids can be used. The
pickling takes place in a very short time (a few seconds), therefore the acid is often heated
and/or used in concentrated form. After pickling the wire is rinsed in water.
Finishing of wire includes the application of metallic or non-metallic coatings. Galvanizing of

wire is covered in Part B of this BREF. In-line pickling will also be dealt with in detail in Part B
of the BREF.

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3 PRESENT CONSUMPTION AND EMISSION LEVELS

FOR HOT AND COLD FORMING
A.3.1 Hot Rolling Mills
A.3.1.1 Mass Stream Overview
Energy Natural or Plant Gas (BOF,

BF, COG)
Fuel Oil
Electricity
Steam
Oxygen
Water Cooling Water

Process Water
Oil Grease/Oil
Rolling Oil
Detergents
Miscellaneous
Flocculating Agents
Biocides
Corrosion Inhibitors
Refractories
Slabs/Blooms Hot Rolled

Billets/Ingots Hot Rolling Mill Product
Surface rectification Re-heating Rolling
Finishing Wastewater Treatment Roll Shop
Air Emissions Particulates

NOx
Waste Water Suspended Solids SO2
Oil, Grease CO/CO2
Water Treatment Sludge
VOC
By-products and Oxycutting & scarfing slags

Waste Filter Dust
Furnace Scale
Waste Heat (steam, hot water) Mill Scale/Mill Scale Sludge

Miscellaneous
Noise Steel Scrap
Refractory
Figure A.3-1: Input/output overview for hot rolling mills
The subsequent chapters present specific input and consumption data, as well as specific output
and emission data for individual operational steps associated with the manufacture of hot rolled
products.

Part A/Chapter 3
The consumption of fuel (natural gas, liquefied petroleum or plant gases) and oxygen for
scarfing depends on the dimensions of the rolling stock. Variations of 20 % in consumption and
emissions are possible when the e.g. thickness of a slab is increased from 200 mm to 250 mm.
Typical consumption for automatic scarfing of billets was reported as 5 m3 oxygen/t and 25 MJ
(propane)/t steel processed. No data available on water consumption for scarfing or on the
amount of waste water, which is generally discharged to the rolling mill or continuous casting
water treatment plant and is reused in the mill water system. [EUROFER HR]
During scarfing wet, corrosive fumes with high proportions of sub-micron particles (size range
from 0.5 to 250 microns) are generated. Samples of this fume, taken at the electrostatic
precipitator inlet, showed concentrations of 60 mg /m3 for CO, 35 mg /m3 for NOx and a range
of 230 - 3000 mg /m3 for dust. [HMIP]
Scarfing:
Input / Consumption Level
Energy n.a.
Oxygen n.a.
Water n.a.
Output / Emission Level
Specific Emission Concentration
Dust 1 1 - 80 2
g/t 5 – 115 3 mg/m3
Filter dust 1.5 - 3.25 2 kg/t
NOx 7
n.a. approx. 35 mg/m3
CO 7
n.a. approx. 60 mg/m3
Scale n.a.
Waste water no discharge, reused in
mill water system
Grinding:
Energy no representative data available
Water no representative data available
Dust: 4
mild steel < 30 - 100 5, 6 mg/m3
stainless steel n.a. < 50 5 mg/m3
Swarf n.a.
Noise n.a.
Scarfing, grinding and shot blasting:
Scale (dry material) < 0.2 - 35 2 kg/t
1
Dust emitted in cleaned waste gas
2
Source of data: [EC Study]
3
Resulting range from the sources [SIDMAR], [CITEPA] and [EUROFER HR]
4
[CITEPA] reports 1 - 10 mg/m3 without distinction of mild and stainless steel
5
Source of data [EUROFER HR]
6
Examples, abatement: fabric filter, V= 2.5 and 7 Nm3/s
7
[Com HR]
Table A.3-1: Consumption and emission levels for surface preparation

Part A/Chapter 3
The dust generated by scarfing contains mainly iron oxides with some trace alloying elements
present in steel. Dust emission factors vary significantly, depending on whether scarfing is done
automatic (30 - 60 g/t) or manual (3 g/t). [CITEPA]
Samples of the composition of emitted dust from scarfing show the following metal contents:
Cr 0.5 - 10 g/kg, Ni 1 - 5 g/kg, Mn 5 - 20 g/kg, Pb 1.7 - 2.3 g/kg, Cu 7.5 - 8.6 g/kg. [EC Study]
For dust collected from grinding and shot blasting of stainless steel following contents were
found: Cr 3 - 100 g/kg, Ni 6 - 20 g/kg, Mn 4 - 10 g/kg. [EC Study]
A.3.1.3 Reheating and Heat Treatment Furnaces
Energy consumption
Integrated steel plants try to valorise as much as possible the gases arising within the works for
internal use. Hence blast furnace gas, coke oven gas, BOF gas, natural gas and a lot of different
combinations of these gases (so-called mixed gases) are used in continuous furnaces. The
energy consumption of the furnaces depends on several parameters such as:
· The furnace design (pusher-type, walking beam, etc.).

· Throughput and shift patterns (operating time) [Com UK].
· The designed length of the recuperation zone in the furnace.
· The burner design.
· The use of recuperators or of a regenerating system.
· The production capacity of the furnace.
· The heating zone arrangement.
· The charging temperature of the stock.
· The heating and discharging temperature.
· The accuracy of the thermal regulation, and.
· The degree of insulation of the furnace [EUROFER HR].
Figure A.3-2 shows the energy balance of a typical reheating furnace in form of a sankey
diagram, only half of the energy input is heat to reheat the steel.
Dust (particulates)
Because of the nature of the fuel used (BFG previously dedusted, NG no dust) dust emissions
are low. Some data reported show an average of 13 g dust/ tonne rolled steel and a median of
8 g/t. The highest emission values correspond to the use of fuel oil. [EUROFER HR], [EC
Study]
NOx
The NOx emission level depends mostly on the type of the fuel and on the burner type and
design, e.g. ceiling burners emit less NOx than front or lateral burners. The use of recuperators
or of a regenerative system increases the thermal efficiency of the furnace, but can lead also to a
higher NOx concentration (up to 3500 mg/Nm3). In some countries a higher NOx level is
allowed for higher air preheat temperatures. In conventional burners, high flame temperatures
result in high NOx emission levels. Typical value for the NOx level is 500 mg/Nm³ (natural gas,
3 % O2, combustion air at ambient temperature). The preheating of the combustion air (with
recuperative or regenerative systems) can increase the NOx level exponentially. [EUROFER
HR]
SO2
The SO2 emission level depends on the S-content in the available fuel. Reported SO2 emissions
in dependence on fuel type show a difference in the SO2 emission levels between natural gas,
works arising gas and fuel oil. Average values are 9.7 g SO2/t for natural gas, 452 g SO2/t for

Part A/Chapter 3
plant gas (mixed coke oven and blast furnace gas) and 803 g SO2/t for fuel oil.
[EUROFER HR], [EC Study]
Scale
The amount of scale generated in the reheating furnaces depends on discharge temperature,
material, combustion air regulation, type of fuel, furnace type and throughput time. A clear
differentiation between furnace- and mill scale is difficult as the reheated material is descaled in
the mill area and both types of scale are collected together. The typical range for furnace scale is
0.07 to 15 kg/t. [EUROFER HR], [Com I], [Com2 HR]
Fuel input
1.55 GJ/t
Combustion air
0.24 GJ/t
FURNACE
Light-up
0.03 GJ/t
Shell
0.06 GJ/t
Stored in refractory
0.05 GJ/t
Radiation 0.01 GJ/t
Water Cooling
Waste gas
0.15 GJ/t
0.45 GJ/t
Steel
0.80 GJ/t
Figure A.3-2: Sankey diagram for a typical reheat furnace as reported in [StTimes 6/93]

Part A/Chapter 3

Energy: 1.1 - 2.2 6,10 GJ/t
Cooling water closed loop
(for components of the re-heating furnace) recycled completely
Dust 1 1 - 10 6, 8 g/t 4 - 20 6 mg/Nm3
NOx 2,3 80 - 360 6 g/t 200 - 700 6 mg/Nm3
Conventional burners 2 - 600 4 g/t

Low-NOx burner 150 - 500 4 g/t 25011 - 900 5 mg/Nm3
Regenerative burner 1000 - 4000 4 g/t
SO2 3 0.3 - 600 6, 9 g/t 0.6 - 1300 6 mg/Nm3

400 - 800 5 mg/Nm3
CO 5 - 850 5, 7 g/t 100 - 170 5 mg/Nm3
Hydrocarbon ( for BFG + NG firing) 0 - 5 5, 7 g/t
Furnace scale
Reversing, 4-high-Mills 0.5 - 18 4 kg/t
Hot Strip Mills 0.1 - 11 4 kg/t
Blooming/Billet/ Heavy Section Mills 0.5 - 47 4 kg/t
Light/Medium Bar and Section Mills 1 - 30 4 kg/t
Wire Rod Mills 0.3 - 20 4 kg/t
Waste refractory
1
[CITEPA] reports 200 - 1400 g of dust/t for continuous and 100 g/t for soaking pits with fuel oil firing, cautionary
note: may not be representative.
2
[EC Study] reports an average of 383 g/t for low-NOx burners, 1690 g/t for regenerative burners and 228 g/t for
conventional burners.
3
[CITEPA] reports 5 - 10 g/t for a mixture of blast furnace gas and natural gas, cautionary note: may not be
representative.
4
Source of data [EC Study]
5
Reference [CITEPA]
6
7
Cautionary note: may not be representative
8
[DFIU98] reports 0.2 - 30 g/t
9
[DFIU98] reports 0.02 - 900 g/t
10
[ETSU-G76] reports typical energy consumption 2.0 – 3.0 GJ/t, scattering from 0.7 – 6.5 GJ/t
11
[Input-HR-1]
12
[Vercaemst 30.3] reported 2.2 – 63 mg/Nm3
Table A.3-2: Consumption and emission levels for reheating/heat treatment furnaces
A.3.1.4 Descaling
Waste
Mill scale from descaling operations, after the reheating furnace and in-between rolling passes,
consists mainly of iron oxides, like FeO and Fe3O4. The exact composition varies, depending on
the steel grade rolled and the rolling process, but the iron content is usually about 70 % (on an

Part A/Chapter 3
oil and moisture free basis). Chemical analysis of mill scales show an average hydrocarbon
content of 4.6 % with a scattering range of 0.5 - 8.7 %. High hydrocarbon content may limit
recycling. [EC Study] Reported compositions of mill scale sludge show ranges of 25 – 65 % for
solids, 30 – 60 % water and 2 – 15 % for oil. [STuE-114-1]
Due to the use of lubrication oil and grease during rolling, mill scale is contaminated. Oil
contents depend on process operation, technical equipment and, especially, on the quality of
maintenance. Another factor influencing the oil content of mill scale is particle size. The very
fine particle portion of mill scale (referred to as mill scale sludge) consists of particles smaller
than 63 mm, which tend to adsorb oil. [DFIU98]
The typical range of scale generated is reported as 12.7 - 16 kg/t for oil-free scale and 1.9 - 3.5
kg/t for oily scale. [EUROFER HR]
Waste water
The process water used for descaling directly after the furnace is usually oil-free. The process
water used for descaling within the hot rolling section mostly contains oil due to losses and due
to the contact with the rolling equipment. The two waste water streams are usually mixed,
resulting in one oil containing, scale loaded waste water stream. The coarse share of the scale
load can be removed in settling tanks and, due to relatively low oil contents, be recycled to the
metallurgical process.

Water:
Cogging train n.a. m3/t 0.1 - 0.12 1 m3/s
before finishing train n.a. m3/t 0.05 - 0.06 1 m3/s
after finishing train n.a. m3/t 0.03 - 0.04 1 m3/s
Energy n.a.
Waste water n.a. m3/t
Containing scale and oil n.a.
3
Oil free scale :
Reversing, 4-high-Mills 1.6 - 23 2 kg/t
Hot Strip Mills 10 -20 2 kg/t
Blooming/Billet/Heavy Profile Mills 9 - 38 2 kg/t
Light/Medium Bar and Section Mills 3 - 60 2 kg/t
Wire Rod Mills 5 - 20 2 kg/t
3
Oily scale :
Reversing, 4-high-Mills 1 - 36 2 kg/t
Hot Strip Mills 2.7 - 30 2 kg/t
Blooming/Billet Mills 0.4 - 28 2 kg/t
Light/Medium Bar and Section Mills 0.5 - 20 2 kg/t
Wire Rod Mills 0 - 20 2 kg/t
1
Source [DFIU98]
2
Source [EC Study]
3
Austria reported: Coarse scale 20 – 30 kg/t for flat products, 5 – 10 kg/t for long products, scale sludge (fine scale)
from finishing group 3 – 15 kg/t [Com A]
Table A.3-3: Consumption and emission levels for descaling

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.1.5 Hot Rolling
The energy demand for the motor-driven rolls depends on the degree of deformation,
temperature of the work piece and material hardness. Energy is used in form of electricity.
Water consumption and water discharge depend on how the water flow is designed (water
management). Water discharge close to 0 m3/t can be achieved by closed circuits. Semi-closed
circuits have discharge rates of typically up to 11 m3/t maximum, whereas open systems (once-
through) will lead typically to 11 - 22 m3/t.
Emissions to air are dust, originating from the mill stands and for strip products from coil
handling lines. Fugitive oil emissions originate from the mill stands (work roll lubrication). The
quantity of dust emissions from hot rolling depends largely on the rolling speed and the product
surface area.

Rolling and lubrication oil
Water 1 - 15.5 2, 3 m3/t
Energy:
Deformation energy 72 – 140 2, 4 kWh/t
Particulates (oxides, dust)
Mill stands: 2 - 40 1 g/t 2 - 50 2 mg/m3
Coil handling lines » 50 2 mg/m3
Filter dust (collected from rolling stands) 100 – 7 600 1 g/t
Fugitive oil emissions 5 negligible
Waste water: (containing suspended solids, 0.8 -15.3 2 m3/t
oil…)
Sludge from waste water treatment
Metallic by-products: Crops, rolling rejections, 70 – 150 6 kg/t
cuttings, etc.
1
2
3
[EC Study] reports up to 22 m3/t
4
Upper end of range reported by [Com I]
5
Generated inside the mill bay, remarkable in near vicinity of emission source only and from that not significant for
releases to air [EUROFER HR]
6
Source [Com A]
Table A.3-4: Consumption and emission levels for hot rolling
A.3.1.6 Roll Shop

èNo data available.
A.3.1.7 Oil, Grease and Hydraulic Oil Flow
Oil and greases used for lubrication and hydraulic oil result in oil-bearing waste water and
waste. Large parts of the oil/grease input are carried out of the system by the product, by mill
scale, by the waste water or by emission to air. An estimated 300 g/t flat products and an
estimated 100 - 800 g/t long products is emitted as hydrocarbon to air due to evaporation, e.g.

Part A/Chapter 3
when in contact with the hot metal surface. Figure A.3-3 shows an example of oil and grease
flow in a steel mill. [DFIU 96]
6% on product
6%
intermediate storage
on mill scale 5%
sinter plant
3% losses during transport
Input (100 %): and storage
Oil
Grease 2% leackage losses,
Hydraulic oil piping, filling cleaning
7% losses due to evaporation,

burn-off
39 %
in waste and sludge disposal
in wastewater wastewater 8%
discharge
treatment
collected or skimmed 18 %
6%
Miscellanious
used-oil 1% sludge
5%
treatment treatment
(treated lubricants)
12 %
fuel
Figure A.3-3: Oily material balance of a typical steel mill as repoted in [DFIU 96]

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.1.8 Hot Rolling Mill Waste Water Treatment Plant
Kind and amount of input depends mainly on the design of the water treatment plant and water
treatment measures applied, e.g. application of flocculate agents or acids. Quality of water input
and the specific water consumption also have an influence.
Waste water from scale removal and flume flushing contains, apart form coarse scale,
suspended solids and emulsified oil. Large amounts of water are used for roll and material
cooling, which also contain oil and suspended solids. The solid concentrations range from 120
to 2000 mg/l (others report 50 to 1000 mg/l [DFIU98]); oil contents from 10 to 200 mg/l
depending on the mill type. [EC Haskoning]
The amount of water discharged from hot rolling mills is reported to range from 0 to 22 m3/t
including once-through cooling units. When once-through cooling units are excluded, the
maximum specific water discharge is up to 11 m3/t. Once-through cooling systems do not
correspond with 'state of the art'.

Processwater
Flocculating agents
Others
Discharged water:
Total suspended solids (TSS) 20 - 1065 1 g/t 5 - 100 1, 3 mg/l
Chemical oxygen demand (COD) 22 - 65 1, 5 g/t 18 - 43 1, 4 mg/l
Hydrocarbon content 1-31 g/t 0.2 - 10 1 mg/l
Cu 0.009 - 0.26 2, 6 mg/l

Zn 0.004 - 0.35 2 mg/l
Cd < 0.05 6 mg/l
Al 0.04 - 0.14 2 mg/l
Pb < 0.1 2, 6 mg/l
Cr < 0.18 6 mg/
Cr6+ 0.01 mg/l
Mn 0.04 - 0.26 2 mg/l
Fe 0.3 - 2.0 2 mg/l
Ni 0.01 - 2.0 2, 6 mg/l
Hg < 0.01 mg/l
Free chlorine 0.1 - 0.5 2 mg/l
Other parameters:
pH-value 7 -8.5 1
Temperature 11 - 30 oC 1
Water treatment sludge
1
2
Source of data [HMIP]
3
[EC Study] reports an extreme of figure of 200 mg/l
4
[EC Study] reports normal range up to 80 mg/l, with two extreme figures: 200 and 450 mg/l
5
[EC Study] reported data are as high as 300, 800 g/t and more
6
Table A.3-5: Consumption and emission levels of the water treatment plant

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.1.9 Waste and Recycling
In addition to the information on waste generation for the individual sub-process, Table A.3-6
presents an overview of the waste generated in total by hot rolling operations and of the
utilisation potentials. The reference base of the hot rolling mill as a whole was chosen, because
a clear distinction of waste sources and attribution of waste amounts to individual processing
steps is impossible in a number of cases.
Kind of waste or Average Reported Waste1 Utilization Percentage2

by-product/Source Specific Mass [t]
[kg/t] (steel production)2
Scale Recycle in-plant 95.9
(from scarfing, grinding, 3.5 77900 Externally used 4 3.4
shot blasting) (22 Mt) Landfill 0.7
Recycle in-plant 37.6
Externally used 4 13.4
Re-heating furnace 4 128000 Externally used 5 9.7
scale (44.7 Mt) Sold5 29.0
Landfill 10.3
Oil-free millscale 14.1 517000 Externally used 5 15.1
(36.8 Mt) Sold 5 2.9
Landfill 3.6
Oily millscale 11.2 692800 Externally used 5 1.5
(61.7 Mt) Sold 5 9.7
Landfill 5.6
Dust and sludges from air Recycle in-plant 94.8
cleaning devices, 0.23 2363 Externally used 5 0.8
Flat products (10.2 Mt) Landfill 4.4
Dust and sludges from air Recycle in-plant 16.8
cleaning devices, 0.71 2492 Externally used 4 24.5
Long products (3.5 Mt) Landfill 58.7
Waste water treatment 3.4 161000 Externally used 6 25.3
sludges (11 Mt) Sold 5 7.6
Landfill 59.4
Recycle 6.0
Dismantled refractories 0.5 21900 Externally used 7 7.7
(46 Mt) Sold 5 13.8
Landfill 72.5
Note: data based on [EC Study]; figures given on dry weight-basis
1
Submitted as an answer to a questionnaire activity of the EU.
2
Steel production of the companies that provided information on utilisation.
3
Percentage refers to reported mass/ answered questionnaires.
4
Reported by non-integrated plants, recycling in other steel making plants
5
No indication on further use
6
About a quarter is being recycled in other steel plants
7
Principally in refractory plants
Table A.3-6: Waste generated in hot rolling mills and utilisation rates

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.1.10 Noise Issues in Hot Rolling
Excessive noise from hot rolling is primarily an internal occupational health issue, with
precautions normally taken to protect employees where it is not practicable to prevent or reduce
the noise at source. In some instances, depending on the location of the process (for example
close to a residential area) and the noise characteristics (intermittent, impact and/or high
frequency noise is more often a source of complaint than continuous low frequency noise) there
can be cause for concern off-site, although this depends on the background noise level and other
noise sources nearby.
The most significant sources of noise in the hot rolling process are associated with product
handling. Other sources, such as high pressure descaling, reheat furnace induced draft fans and
hot/cold sawing can also be significant. The main issues with product handling are associated
with impact noise from large diameter pipes and movement of heavy plates, for example.
Section mill cooling banks can also be a source of high levels of noise as products are moved
during cooling. High pressure descaling (in some cases greater than 250 bar) is another
intermittent noise source. Reheat furnace induced draught fans operate continuously but can be
variable speed and therefore will cause noise of varying frequency and noise level. Long
products, such as sections or rail, are cut to length, on or off line, by either hot or cold saws.
High frequency noise is generated by the cutting action/friction. This can be both intermittent
and high frequency. The absolute noise levels (in decibel) are equipment/plant specific but can
be in excess of 85 dBA.
In terms of product handling, the main method for reducing noise is to devise operating
procedures to minimize the amount of contact between products and material handling
equipment such as cooling bank skids. Most other sources of noise are normally within
buildings and the noise level is moderated to an acceptable level. In the event of specific local
problems, additional measures such as local enclosure and/or building insulation may be
required, but these can be extremely expensive and are not normally considered to be necessary.
A.3.1.11 Commissioning and Decommissioning
The environmental effects of commissioning or the decommissioning in hot rolling mills are
generally not important. Some facilities are available (e.g. N2 purge in reheat furnaces) to assure
safety during commissioning or decommissioning or to permit the installations to be
maintained.

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2 Cold Rolling Mills
Energy Natural Gas

Plant Gas
Electrical
Steam
Water Cooling Water

Process Water
Oil/Grease
Oil
Rolling Oil
Hydrochloric acid
Acid
Sulphuric Acid
Mixed Acid
Degreasing Agents
Miscellaneous Inert Gas (H2, N2)
Lime, NaOH,
Ammonia, Urea
Hydrogen Peroxide
Flocculating Agents
Biocides
Corrosion Inhibitors
Hot Rolled Cold Rolling Mill Cold Rolled

Coil/Bars Pickling Rolling Annealing Tempering Finishing Product
Acid Regeneration Wastewater Treatment Roll Shop

By-products from
NOx
Regeneration
Waste Water Suspended Solids
SO2
( Iron oxide, iron sulphate)
Oil, Grease
CO/CO2
Liquid Spent Pickle Bath
Waste Acidic Rinse Water VOC
Spent Degreasing Bath Acid Aerosol
Spent Emulsion HF
Sludges
Pickle Tank Sludge Alkaline Aerosols
Emulsion Treatment Sludge Oil Mist
By-products Scale Sludge
and Waste
Filter Dust
Scrap
Scale/Scale Dust
Packaging material
Miscellaneous Noise
Waste heat
Figure A.3-4: Input/output overview for cold rolling mills
The subsequent chapters present specific input and consumption data, as well as specific output
and emission data for individual operational steps associated with cold rolling activities.

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.2 Pickling of Low Alloy, Alloy and High Alloy Steel
Hydrochloric, sulphuric and, for stainless steel, a mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acid are
used as pickling agents. Acid consumption varies obviously depending on whether acid is
regenerated or not. It also depends on the specific surface area pickled and the thickness of the
oxide layer. [EUROFER CR]
Consumption of anticorrosive oil depends on the percentage of oiled products, on the type of
oiling machine used (electrostatic oiling or spraying nozzles) and on the oil weight required by
the customer. [EUROFER CR]
Energy is required in form of steam for heating the pickling bath, as electrical energy for drives,
pumps etc. and as caloric energy (natural gas or LPG) for the regeneration process (HCl). Some
plants do not regenerate the acid or subcontract the regeneration, which in both cases can result
in lower energy consumption. However for these plants all the fresh acid has to be heated to
working temperature. [EUROFER CR]
Additionally, for high alloy steel processing, shot (for the shot blast machine) is needed for hot
band mechanical descaling. For NOx reduction measures either hydrogen peroxide is needed to
be added to the pickling bath to suppress the formation of NOx during pickling or ammonia or
urea is required for SCR installations. [EUROFER CR]
Water is used for rinsing after pickling and to prepare the pickling baths. Three kinds of process
water are created during pickling. These comprise water used for rinsing, spent pickle baths and
others (like water from the fume absorbers of the pickling tank exhaust system and flushing
water from plant cleaning). The main volume of waste water derives from rinsing, whereas the
main load of contamination comes from the continuous or batch exchange of pickle baths.
[EUROFER CR]
A primary aim should be to reduce waste water volume and minimize contaminant loading of
the waste streams by optimisation of the pickling process. The waste water volume can be
reduced by acid regeneration and recycling. Some plants sell spent pickle acid for external use,
e.g. in water treatment. Acidic waste water, e.g. from the rinsing section or the fume scrubbers,
which cannot be used in other processes of the installation have to be treated/neutralised prior to
release. Neutralisation, however, requires the use of additional chemicals, like lime, NaOH or
polyelectrolyte.
Scrap, scale dusts and pickle tank sludge arise during pickling operations. From acid
regeneration 0.05 to 15 kg sludges (ref. dry material) per tonne of steel arise, with an average of
4.2 kg/t. The sludges have an iron content of 55 - 66 % and, in case of stainless steel processing,
5 - 10 % Cr and 3 - 5 % Ni. [EC Study]
By-products generated by acid regeneration are iron oxides or iron sulphate. The average iron
oxide yield from regeneration is 5.5 kg/t. The Fe2O3 content of the by-products is usually
> 99 % with low concentrations of other metals, such as Al < 0.1 %; Pb, Cu < 0.03 %; Cr,
Ni < 0.02 % and Zn < 0.01 %. Chloride contents range from 0.1 to 0.2 %.
Iron sulphate production ranges from 2.5 to 25 kg/t with an average of 17 kg/t. Less than 0.1 %
of the production is reported to be landfilled as the product can be sold to external usage,
including water treatment and chemical industries. [EC Study]
Emissions to air generated by pickling depend partly on the acid used for pickling. They are:
· Acid-fumes from the pickling tanks (HCl, H2SO4), emitted from the outlet chimney of the
pickling tank fume exhaust absorber and from the exhaust gas chimney of the acid
regeneration plant.
· In case of mixed acid pickling: NOx, HF.

Part A/Chapter 3
· Dust, NOx, SOx, H2SO4, HCl from the regeneration plant.

· Gaseous emissions from storage facilities [EUROFER CR].
When pre-descaling is applied for stainless steel grades is carried out by electrolytic pickling
with sodium sulfate, chromium containing waste waters and wastes (sludges) may arise.
Many modern pickling lines are operated in association with regeneration plants. Therefore
some of the consumption and emission data presented for the individual pickling processes in
the following chapters include the regeneration process. A distinction was made where possible.
Detailed consumption and emission data for the regeneration plant and the exhaust gas cleaning
from pickling tanks are given in the corresponding chapters for techniques to be considered in
determination of Best Available Techniques.
A.3.2.2.1 Hydrochloric Acid Pickling Line and Regeneration Plant
Regeneration of the pickle liquor is done on- or off site. Figure A.3-5 shows the material flow
for a HCl pickling line in conjunction with acid regeneration.
Exhaust Gas
Fume Exhaust
Absorber
Pickling Loss Drag Out Drag Out

Iron Scale Fe2O3 + Fe
Pickling Section Fresh Acid Rinsing Section
Fresh Water
FeCl2 + HCl + H2O Rinsing
Waste Acid HCl + H2O Wastewater
Regen. Acid
Fe (Scrap)
Precipitation
Waste Gas
Lime Neutralisation
Ca(OH)2
Regeneration 2 HCl + FeCl2 + 2 Ca(OH)2 ->

Iron Oxide Gas, Air Fe(OH)2 + 2 CaCl2 + 2 H2O
External or internal operations Sludge

Air Fe(OH)3
½ O2 + H2O Oxidation
Precipitation
Chemical Reactions during HCl-Pickling
2+ -
FeO + 2 HCl -> FeCl2 + H2O Pickling Ca , Cl , H2O
Fe2O3 + 6 HCl -> 2 FeCl3 + 3 H2O Pickling
Fe3O4 + 8 HCl -> 2 FeCl3 + FeCl2 + 4 H2O Pickling Cleaned Water
Fe + 2 HCl -> FeCl2 + H2 Pickling
FeCl3 + ½ H2 -> FeCl2 + HCl Pickling Permanent T°C
Fe2O3 + Fe + 6 HCl -> 3 FeCl2 + 3 H2O Pickling automatic control Flow Acidity pH.
2 FeCl2 + 2 H2O + ½ O2 -> Fe2O3 + 4 HCl Regeneration Turbidity
HCl + NaOH -> NaCl + H2O Neutralisation Point of regulatory
FeCl2 + 2 NaOH -> 2 NaCl + Fe(OH)2 Neutralisation control by the national
2Fe(OH)2 + ½ O2 + H2O -> 2 Fe(OH)3 Oxidation and regional authorities
Figure A.3-5: Flow sheet for HCl pickling and acid regeneration
[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 3

Hot rolled strip 1.01 - 1.05 t/t
Pickling agent:
HCl (33 %) with regeneration 0.7 - 0.9 1 kg/t
HCl (33 %) without regeneration 12 - 17.5 kg/t
Anticorrosive oils 0.1 - 0.2 kg/t
Energy: Steam for bath heating 0.03 - 0.07 GJ/t
Electrical energy 0.015 - 0.08 GJ/t
Caloric energy 0.04 - 0.1 GJ/t
Industrial + demineralised water 0.02 - 0.13 m3/t
Cooling water 0.5 - 0.8 m3/t
Waste gas 35 - 100 m3/t
Waste air 50 - 400 m3/t
Exhaust gas from acid regeneration 24 - 38 m3/t
(Dust, SO2, NOx, CO/CO2, HCl, Cl)
Exhaust gas from pickling tanks 25 - 400 m3/t
Dust 2
n.a. < 5 - 20 mg/m3
HCl 3 0.258 g/t 1 - 30 mg/m3
HCl (20 %) recycled 23 - 40 kg/t
Waste water 4 0.025 - 0.07 m3/t
Spent pickle liquor
Sludge cake 0.043 - 1.2 kg/t
Pickling tank sludge
Oil contaminated waste
Iron oxide (Fe2O3) 4 - 12 5 kg/t
Scale dust( collected by dedusting system)
Strip head/tail scrap 30 kg/t
Notes: Source of data [EUROFER CR]; Production: 300000 - 2500000 t/a
1
Germany reported fresh HCl consumption as low as 0.01 kg/t for closed circuit pickling line [Com D]
2
[EUROFER CR] reports 10 – 20 mg/Nm³ , [Corus 31.8] reports < 5 mg/Nm³ .
3
[EUROFER CR] reports emission levels of 10 – 20 mg/m3, [EC Study] 1 - 145 mg/m3 and 2 - 16 g/t and [EPA-
453] achieved levels of 2.7 – 3.5 mg/m3., [EUROFER 6.9] reports upper level of 30 mg/Nm³ when including
continuous measurements.
4
In some cases no acid regeneration, but free acid reduction with scrap, FeCl2 (used bath): 19.4 kg/t is sold for
external use
5
Source: [EC Study]
Table A.3-7: Consumption and emission levels for HCl pickling plants (incl. regeneration)
The acid rinsing water from the pickling plant can be used as wash water for gas scrubbers and
as process water in the regeneration plant. In case acidic water is not or partially not reused as
process water, it is neutralised with lime or NaOH in the neutralisation plant prior to discharge.
The sludge is de-watered in filter presses and then disposed of. Input and output of
neutralisation, sedimentation and filtration, as well as the concentration of pollutants discharged
are given in Table A.3-8.
Although acidic waste water from gas scrubbing and other acidic waste water are often
neutralised and the sludge is being disposed of, there are processes which allow a recycling of
these waste water streams. For hydrochloric acid pickling the possibility of a virtually waste
water free operation was reported. [Com D]

Part A/Chapter 3

Raw Waste water 0.025 - 0.07 m3/t
Ca(OH)2 (95 %) 0.272 - 0.525 kg/t
Polyelectrolyte 0.22 g/t
Air 0.259 kg/t
Energy (electrical) 1 MJ/t
Specific Emission
Sludge Cake 0.043 - 1.2 kg/t
Waste water 0.025 - 0.07 m3/t
Suspended solids 2.86 g/t
Fe total 0.114 g/t
Note: source of data [EUROFER CR]
1
Reduction rate based on mass flow of constituent
Table A.3-8: Consumption and emission levels for waste water treatment in HCl-pickling plants
A.3.2.2.2 Sulphuric Acid Pickling Line and Regeneration Plant
Exhaust Gas
Pickling Loss
Iron Scale Drag Out Drag Out
Fe2O3 + Fe Pickling Fresh Acid Rinsing
Section Section Fresh Water
FeSO4 + H2SO4 + H2O H2SO4 + H2O Rinsing Waste Water

Waste Acid Regen. Acid
Regeneration Vacuum
Iron Sulphate
Exhaust Gas Lime Neutralisation

Ca(OH)2
Cooling Water
Condenser H2SO4 + FeSO4 + 2 Ca(OH)2 ->
Fe(OH)2 + 2 CaSO4 + 4 H2O
Sludge
Cooling Water Air Fe(OH)3 + CaSO4solid
O2 + H2O Oxidation
Precipitation
Chemical Reactions during H2SO4-Pickling
FeO + H2SO4 -> FeSO4 + H2O
Fe2O3 + 6 H2SO4 -> 2 Fe(SO4)3 + 3 H2O Ca2+, SO42- , H2O
Fe3O4 + 4 H2SO4 -> 2 Fe(SO4)3 + FeSO4 + 4 H2O
Fe + H2SO4 -> FeSO4 + H2
Fe(SO4)3 + 2 H2 -> FeSO4 + 2 H2SO4 Cleaned Water
Fe2O3 + Fe + 3 H2SO4 -> 3 FeSO4 + 3 H2O
H2SO4 + Ca(OH)2 -> CaSO4 + 2 H2O

FeSO4 + Ca(OH)2 -> CaSO4 + Fe(OH)2
2Fe(OH)2 + ½ O2 + H2O -> 2 Fe(OH)3
Figure A.3-6: Flow sheet for H2SO4 pickling and regeneration

[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 3
Regeneration of the pickle liquor is done on- or off site. Figure A.3-6 shows the material flow
for a H2SO4 pickling line with acid regeneration.

Pickling agent: 96 % sulphuric acid 7 - 10 kg/t
Cooling water 3.84 m3/t
Anticorrosive oils1 0.15 - 0.3 kg/t
Energy:
caloric/steam for bath heating 0.05 - 0.1 GJ/t
electrical energy for drives 0.02 - 0.05 GJ/t
FeSO4-heptahydrate (from regeneration) 26 - 30 kg/t
Recycled acid (H2SO4 20 %) 0 - 10 kg/t
Exhaust gas from pickling tanks 50 - 110 m3/t
H2SO4 0.05 - 0.1 g/t 1- 2 mg/m3
SO2 0.4 - 1 g/t 8 - 20 mg/m3
Exhaust gas from acid regeneration (SO2, H2SO4) 70 - 90 m3/t
Oil contaminated waste 4 - 8 E - 5 m3/t
Sludge cake 3 0.06 - 0.2 kg/t
Scale dust (collected by dedusting system)
Scrap (from trimming and head/tail ends of coil) 37 - 45 kg/t
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CR]; Production: 900000 - 1500000 t/a
1
sometimes rolling oil
2
waste = dust + sludge
Table A.3-9: Consumption and emission levels for H2SO4 pickling plants (incl. regeneration)
In case that cooling water from the condenser (acid regeneration) and acidic rinsing water from
the pickling plant have to be discharged, they are generally neutralised with lime or NaOH. The
sludge is dewatered in filter presses and disposed of. Input and output of neutralisation,
sedimentation and filtration, as well as the concentration of pollutants discharged are given in
Table A.3-10.

Raw Waste water 0.315 m3/t
Ca(OH)2 kg/t
Polyelectrolyte g/t
Air kg/t
Energy (electrical) 1 MJ/t
Specific Emission
Sludge cake kg/t
Waste water: 0.315 m3/t
Suspended solids 16 - 20 g/t
Fe total 0.3 - 0.5 g/t
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CR]
1
Table A.3-10: Consumption and emission levels for waste water treatment in H2SO4 pickling plants

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.2.3 Mixed (HNO3-HF) Acid Pickling Line and Acid Recovery
Figure A.3-7 shows the material flow for a mixed acid pickling in conjunction with acid
recovery.
Evacuation
H2O H2O
Strip
Neutral salt, electrolytic Rinsing HNO3 / HF Rinsing Drying
NaOH
Regeneration
Ca(OH)2 Ca(OH)2 Absorption
Chromate Continuous Nitrite

detoxification Neutralisation neutralisation detoxification
Clarification
NaHSO3 H2SO4 NaOCl
H2SO4
Chromate Clear water
detoxification Clarification
NaHSO3
Ca(OH)2
Neutralisation Filtration Thickening
Clear water flowstai.ds4
Figure A.3-7: Flow sheet for stainless steel pickling with HNO3-HF acid (incl. recovery)
[DFIU98]

Part A/Chapter 3

Annealed strip
Shot 1 1.5 - 3 kg/t
Nitric acid (HNO3 70 %) 3 - 10 kg/t
Hydrofluoric acid (HF 70 %) 2.5 - 7.5 kg/t
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 35 %) 3 -10 kg/t
Water
Energy: steam (acid heating) 0.1 - 0.3 GJ/t
Metal oxide and /or scale particles, shot
fragments
Exhaust gas from mechanical descaling 350 - 450 m3/t
Dust 10 - 20 g/t < 1 – 25 2 mg/Nm³
Scale
Spent pickle bath/ mixed acid
Sludge
Acid treatment sludge
Exhaust gas from pickle plant: a
HF 0.2 - 3.4 g/t 0.2 – 17 3 mg/m3
NOx, 3 - 4000 g/t 3 - (~1000) mg/m3
SO2 1 g/t 1 - 10 mg/m3
Waste water 4 1.0 - 9.0 m3/t
Water from neutralisation
(metals, suspended solids)
Gaseous emissions from storage
Note: source of data [EUROFER CR], except a: [EC Study]
1
Shot blasting is only used for hot band (pickling I)
2
15 – 25 mg/Nm³ source [EUROFER CR]; < 1 – 4.5 mg/Nm³ source [FIN 28.3]
3
reported range from [EUROFER CR] 350 – 600 mg/Nm3 with application of hydrogen peroxide injection and
pickling tank fume exhaust absorber
4
Discharged to effluent treatment
Table A.3-11: Consumption and emission levels for mixed acid pickling and recovery
A.3.2.3 Cold Rolling
A.3.2.3.1 Low Alloy
Tandem Mill
Rolling oil (including additives as required) and demineralised water or equivalent water are
used to prepare the rolling emulsion. Basic oils are usually naphthenic and paraffinic mineral oil
fractions or vegetable fatty oils. To create a oil-in-water emulsion, anionic and nonionic
emulsifier are added. The oil concentration in the emulsion can range from 1 to 25 %. To reduce
friction and wear mineral oils are substituted by synthetic products, containing additional
corrosion inhibitors, anti-foam agents and agents to prevent biological degradation Usual
cooling/lubricant consumption is between 1800 and 3000 m3/h.
Energy is required in mill stands, emulsion-, hydraulics- and oil management for drives, fans,
pumps etc.. The consumption of electrical energy is related to the steel grade rolled, the total
reduction and the final gauge of the cold rolled product. Additionally, energy in form of steam

Part A/Chapter 3
maybe needed for heating of the emulsion (if required). Oil consumption depends on the
average final gauge of the cold rolled product.
Cold rolling activities result in the generation waste water which is treated in emulsion splitting
plants. Effluents may contain oil and suspended solids. Oil and oil sludge from emulsion
splitting plants or exhaust air absorber from mill stand are generated. Also particulate emissions
can occur (roll wear or iron dust), which are collected by de-dusting systems.

Pickled steel strip 1.002 - 1.032 t/t
Cooling water 5 - 6.5 m3/t
(0.5)2 m3/t
(River water, soft water, NaOH, inhibitor)
for cooling water system
Rolling oil1 0.3 - 2.0 kg/t
Other oils (hydaulic, Morgoil…)
Energy:
Steam 0.01 - 0.03 GJ/t
Electrical 0.2 - 0.3 GJ/t
Caloric 0.001 - 0.036 GJ/t
Cooling water 5 - 6.5 m3/t
(0.5)2 m3/t
Waste air 1800 - 2000 m3/t
Emissions to air: Dust 96 g/t 10 - 50 mg/m3
Hydrocarbons 7 g/t 5 - 20 mg/m3
Oila 0.6 - (~ 150)3 g/t 0.1 - 15 (34)4 mg/m3

Æ 19.7 g/t
Oil contaminated waste (disposed) 0.2 g/t
Emulsion (internally recycled) 5000 - 13200 kg/t
Sludge cake 0.9 -1.5 kg/t
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CR], except: a [EC Study]; Production: 1600000 - 3100000 t/a
1
Consumption of rolling oil in the pickling line is also considered
2
Circulating water
3
from diagram [EC Study]
4
one extreme figure
Table A.3-12: Consumption and emission levels from tandem mills with emulsion system

Part A/Chapter 3
Reversing Mill

Pickled steel strip 1.002 t/t
Rolling Oil 0.1 - 0.11 kg/t
Energy:
Electrical 240 - 245 MJ/t
Caloric 0.023 - 0.024 MJ/t
Emisions to air HC 8.4 - 10.1 g/t 10 - 12 mg/m3
3
Oila 0.4 - (~ 150)1 g/t 0.1 - (~ 6)1 mg/m
Æ 10.8 g/t
Sludge cake (disposed) 1.9 -2.0 kg/t
Emulsion (internal recycling) 8.5 - 9.0 m3/t
Scrap, off-cuts, etc
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CR], except a [EC Study]; Production: 250000 - 550000 t/a
1
Table A.3-13: Consumption and emission levels from reversing mills
A.3.2.3.2 High Alloy/Reversing Mill
As rolling oil usually mineral oil including additives is used. Energy is used on mill stands and
oil circuits for drives, fans, pumps etc. From cleaning operations oil contaminated filter media
(debris from roll wear, dust and steel strip) is generated. The oil from exhaust filtration system
is recovered. [EUROFER CR]

Stainless annealed strip 1.01 - 1.03 t/t
Cooling water (recirculating) 20 -35 m3/t
Oil (mineral) 1.5 - 6.0 l/t
Oil filtration media 1-2 kg/t
Energy: electrical 0.6 - 0.8 GJ/t
Waste air (mill stand exhaust air absorber) 3000 - 12000 m3/t
Oil 50 - 80 g/t 10 - 20 mg/m3
Oil a 3 - (~150)1 g/t 0.1 - 16 mg/m3
Æ 91.7 g/t
Oil contaminated waste filter media 1.8 - 2.8 kg/t
Waste water (suspended solids, salts of iron
and alloy metals, traces of oil)
Scrap, off-cuts, etc
1
Table A.3-14: Consumption and emission levels from reversing mills

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.4 Annealing of Low Alloy and Alloy Steel
A.3.2.4.1 Batch Annealing
Degreasing / Electrolytic Degreasing

Alkaline cleaners/detergents:
(caustic soda, soda ash, alkaline silicates, phosphates)
Water
Energy
Waste water:
(containing suspended solids, dissolved metals oil)
Alkaline fume
Table A.3-15: Consumption and emission levels from degreasing
Annealing
Electrical energy is required for drives, etc. and heating; mixed gas (coke-oven gas/top gas) for
the HNX-hoods and natural gas or LPG for the hydrogen-high convection hoods. For protective
atmosphere in the furnaces inert gas, typically nitrogen with 3 - 7 %-hydrogen or alternatively
100 %-hydrogen, is needed.

Cold rolled strip 1 - 1.01 t/t
Energy:
Caloric 0.62 - 0.75 GJ/t
Cooling water 5 - 10 m3/t
Inert gas (H2, N2)
Cooling water 5 - 10 m3/t
Oil containing waste (disposed) 2.04 E -4 m3/t
Emissions to air: a SO2 Rev: (~0) - (~2) 1 g/t
Cont: (~0) 1 - 41 2 g/t
NOx Rev: (~9) - (~900) 1 g/t

Cont: (~0.5) - (~250) 1 g/t
Rev = Reversing mills, no differentiation batch/continuous annealing
Cont = Continuous mills, no differentiation batch/continuous annealing
1
2
one extreme figure: 194.4 g/t
Table A.3-16: Consumption and emission levels from batch annealing

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.4.2 Continuous Annealing
Chemicals for alkaline and electrolytic pre-cleaning are needed. Furthermore, wet temper
rolling agents for rough passes and anticorrosive oils are consumed. Usually, natural gas, other
(plant) gases or LPG are used for heating the strip. Electrical energy is used for drives, booster,
overaging zone and finishing). Inert gas (nitrogen with typically about 5 %-hydrogen or
alternatively 100 %-hydrogen) is used for protection of surface oxidation.
Continuous annealing mainly produces waste water (oil, suspended solids, COD) and exhaust
gas from annealing furnaces (NOx, SO2, CO, CO2).

Cold rolled strip 1.007 - 1.030 t/t
Chemicals for alkaline/
electrolytic pre-cleaning
Energy:
Caloric 0.775 - 1.483 GJ/t
Steam 0.119 GJ/t
Cooling water 23.529 m3/t
Inert gas (nitrogen/hydrogen)
Wet temper rolling agent
(for rough pass, electrical sheet)
Anticorrosive oils,
Waste gas from annealing furnace: 350 - 400 m3/t
a
Emissions to air: Rev: ~0) - (~2) 1 g/t
SO2 Cont: (~0) 1 - 41 2 g/t
NOx Rev: (~9) - (~900) 1 g/t

Cont: (~0.5) - (~250) 1 g/t
Waste heat (steam, can be recovered) 0.037 - 0.078 GJ/t
Waste water (oil, suspended solids…) 0.118
Cooling water
Sludge cake (disposed) 0.018 - 0.47 kg/t
Scale dust
Oil sludge from pre-cleaning
Note: source of data [EUROFER CR], except a [EC Study]; Production: 600000 t/a
Rev = Reversing mills, no differentiation batch/continuous annealing
Cont = Continuous mills, no differentiation batch/continuous annealing
1
2
one extreme figure: 194.4 g/t
Table A.3-17: Consumption and emission levels from continuous annealing

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.5 Annealing and Pickling of High Alloy Steel
Table A.3-18 presents consumption and emission data of continuous furnaces for annealing hot
rolled strip.

Industrial + demineralised water 0.015 – 0.55 m3/t
Energy:
Caloric (Gas) 1.0 - 1.5 GJ/t
Steam 0.06 - 0.13 MJ/t
Emissions to air: a SO2 0 - (~30) 1 g/t
NOx 0.1 - (~1500) 1, 2 g/t
Sludge cake 2.0 - 15.0 kg/t
Note: source of data [EUROFER CR], except a [EC Study]; Production: 56000 - 550000 t/a
1
2
one extreme figure: 3820 g/t
Table A.3-18: Consumption and emission levels of continuous annealing furnaces
High alloy steels are mostly treated in combined annealing and pickling lines. The amount of
pickling acid required depends on the strip size (surface, volume) and the thickness of scale
layer. Acid consumption depends also on whether hot band or cold rolled material is processed.
Energy requirements are: natural gas and LPG for annealing furnaces, steam for acid bath
heating and electrical energy for drives, fans, pumps etc
Emissions mainly refer to waste water from neutralisation plants (metals, suspended solids),
exhaust gas from furnaces (combustion products: CO, CO2 NOx), exhaust gas from pickling
plant fume scrubbers (containing NOx HF) and exhaust gas from mechanical descaling
extraction system (dust). [EUROFER CR]
Table A.3-19 gives the consumption and emission from combined pickling and annealing lines.

Part A/Chapter 3

Stainless steel strip (hot band or cold rolled) 1.03 - 1.08 t/t
Shot1 1.5 - 3 kg/t
Cooling water (recirculated) 10 -20 m3/t
Nitric acid (HNO3 70 %) 3 - 10 kg/t
Hydrofluoric acid (HF 70 %) 2.5 - 7.5 kg/t
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 35 %) 3 -10 kg/t
Compressed air
Energy1: Electrical 0.15 - 0.30 GJ/t
Caloric (NG) 0.7 - 1.8 GJ/t
Steam (acid heating) 0.1 - 0.3 GJ/t
Scale/shot dust
Exhaust gas from mechanical descaling/dust 350 - 450 m3/t
Waste water discharged to effluent treatment 1.0 - 9.0 m3/t
Spent pickle bath/ mixed acid
Exhaust gas from pickle plant fume scrubbers
Exhaust gas:
Emissions to air from furnace: a SO2 0 - (~30) 2 g/t
NOx 0.1 - (~1500) 2, 3 g/t
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CR]; Production: 30000 - 300000 t/a)
1
Shot blasting is only done on hot band (pickling I)
2
3
one extreme figure: 3820 g/t
Table A.3-19: Consumption and emission levels from Pickling and annealing of high alloy steel

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.6 Tempering (Low alloy/High Alloy)
During rolling operation typically a 5 % -solutions of wet temper rolling agents, which may be
nitrite based, are applied. Energy is required in form of hot water and electrical energy for mill
stand, hydraulics, etc.

Annealed strip 1.01 - 1.03 t/t
Industrial and demineralised water 0.002 - 0.004 m3/t
Tempering fluid concentrate 0.11- 3 kg/t
Anticorrosive oil 0.04 - 0.05 kg/t
Oil contaminated waste 1
6 - 7.5 E -5 m3/t
Tempering2/cooling fluid
Sludge cake2 2.0 - 4.0 kg/t
Leakage oil 4 - 5 E -5 m3/t
Note: source of data [EUROFER CR]; Production: 300000 - 1000000 t/a
1
externally disposed
2
internally recycled
Table A.3-20: Consumption and emission levels from tempering
A.3.2.7 Finishing (Cutting, Inspection, Packing)

Anticorrosive oil 0.2 - 0.4 kg/t
Signing ink 0.5 - 80 g/t
Film (clear) 80 -90 g/t
Paper (blue) 9 - 80 g/t
VCI paper 1.5 - 1.7 g/t
FLEX-Stripes 0.05 - 0.06 m2/t
Wood 950 - 1050 g/t
Waste gas Output / Emission Level
Oil contaminated waste 1.4 - 1.6 E -4 m3/t
Scrap 25 - 40 kg/t
Table A.3-21: Consumption and emission levels from finishing

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.8 Roll Shop
Main input for the roll shop is water and grinding fluid to prepare fresh emulsions. Output
resulting from grinding: spent grinding emulsions and grinding sludge. [EUROFER CR]

Cooling water (circulating water) m3/t
Grinding emulsion (fresh) 0.4 -80 g/t
Shot grain (SBT) 40 - 50 g/t
Soluble oil concentrate 5-6 g/t
Chromium salt (PRETEX) 2-3 g/t
Condensate for chromium acid (PRETEX) 140 - 160 g/t
Waste gas1 25 - 70 m3/t
Dust <1 mg/m3
Cr < 0.1 mg/m3
Grinding sludge 0.1 - 0.2 kg/t
Grinding wheel 0.9 - 1.0 g/t
Waste emulsion 0.035 - 0.08 kg/t
Oil contaminated waste 1.5 - 2.0 E -4 m3/t
SBT-dust 40 - 50 g/t
1
Chroming installation
2
Cold rolled strip is used as reference value for specific consumption figures
Table A.3-22: Consumption and emission levels from the roll shop
A.3.2.9 Hydraulic Fluids and Lubricants Management
On several places of the cold rolling mill, hydraulic systems or oiled and greased components
are in operation. These systems are generally placed in oil-tight bunds or pits to prevent the oil
from penetrating into water or soil in case of leakage.

Cooling water 9.0 - 10 m3/t
Demineralized water 0.05 - 0.12 m3/t
Grease, oil, hydraulic oil 1.5 - 1.8 kg/t
Rolling oil 0.45 - 2.2 kg/t
Hydraulic + lubrication oils 0.2 - 0.9 kg/t
Energy:
Steam 0.04 - 0.05 GJ/t
Specific Emission
Waste (disposed)
Used oil + water + rejects 3.0 - 50 kg/t
Used oil + water 3.2 - 3.5 kg/t
Table A.3-23: Consumption and emission levels from hydraulic fluid and lubricant systems

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.10 Cold Rolling Mill Waste Water Treatment Plant
The following data refer to water discharge from the cold rolling mill as a whole as available
data often does not distinguish the different sources of waste water.
Continuous C- Reversing C-Steel Reversing

Steel Stainless Steel
Specific Waste water
discharge 0 - 40 m3/t 0 - 6 m3/t 3
(~0) - 35 m /t
Waste water discharge
from WW-Treatment 0 - 12 m3/t
(excl. once -through cooling)
Total Suspended Solids 1 7 - 120 mg/l (~0) - 2210 mg/l 0 - 60 mg/l
2.7 - 520 g/t (~0) - (~160) g/t 0 - (~180) g/t
COD 1 19 - 5300 mg/l 15 - 100 mg/l 10 - 2000 mg/l
5 - 220 g/t 10 - 80 g/t 10 - 275 g/t
Note: Source of data [EC Study]
1
Unit changed from mg/m3 to mg/l
Table A.3-24: Waste water discharge from cold rolling mills

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.2.11 Waste and Recycling
In addition to the information on waste generation for the individual sub-process, Table A.3-25
presents an overview of the waste generated in total by cold rolling operations and of the
utilisation potentials. The reference base of the hot rolling mill as a whole was chosen, because
a clear distinction of waste sources and attribution of waste amounts to individual processing
steps is impossible in a number of cases.
Kind of waste/Source Average Reported Waste1 Utilization Percentage3

Specific Mass [t]
[kg/t] (steel production)2
Oil recovery sludges Recycle in-plant 50.3
1 13150 Externally used 4 33.7
(14 Mt) Sold 5 3.6
Landfill 12.4
Acid regeneration Recycle in-plant 9.8
6
sludges 4.2 36200
(8.5 Mt) Externally used 7 9.4
Sold5 46.0
Landfill 35.0
Waste water Recycle in-plant 32.5
treatment sludges 3.3 114000 Externally used 1
(19.9 Mt) or sold5
Landfill 66.5
Dry dust from air Recycle in-plant 38.5
cleaning devices 5.4 8200 Externally used 5 42
Stainless steel rolling (1.5 Mt) Landfill 19.5
Oil, emulsion, grease Recycle 42.8
1.3 17700 Externally 34.4
(8.7 Mt) incineration
Landfill 22.8
Dismantled Externally used 5 66
refractories 60 Landfill 34
Note: data based on [EC Study]; figures given refer to dry material
1
Submitted as an answer to a questionnaire activity of the EU.
2
Steel production of the companies that provided information on utilisation.
3
Percentage refers to reported mass/ answered questionnaires.
4
56 % incinerated, 44 % oil recuperation in dedicated plant
5
No indication on further use
6
EAF or blast furnace
7
For the production of iron oxides
Table A.3-25: Waste generated in cold rolling mills and utilisation rates
A.3.2.12 Noise Issues in Cold Rolling

èNo specific information for cold rolling submitted.

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.3 Wire Plant
Energy Natural Gas or LPG

Electricity
Steam
Process Water
Water
Cooling Water
Lubricant Soap + Additives

Soap Emulsions
Oil Emulsions or Plain Oil
Hydrochloric Acid
Acid
Sulfuric Acid
Mixed Acid
Lead
H 2 Inhibitors
Miscellaneous Soap Carrier
Oil
Protective Gas (H 2, N 2)
Additives for Cooling Water Circuit
Ca(OH)2 or NaOH (Wastewater Treatment)
Rod
Wire Mill Wire
Descaling Pickling Drawing Heat Treatment

NOx, CO/CO2
Acid Aerosols
Dissolved Fe Oil Mist
Traces of Other Metals
Soaps
Spent Pickle Bath
Liquid Waste
Spent Soap Carrier Bath
Spent Wet Drawing Lubricant

Sludges
FePO4 Sludge
Solid Waste Filter Dust

Scrap
Miscellaneous Scale/Scale Dust

Lead Waste
Spent Dry Drawing Lubricant
Table A.3-26: Input/Output balance for a wire mill

Part A/Chapter 3
The subsequent chapters present input and consumption data, as well as output and emission
data for individual operational steps associated with wire production (wire rod preparation,
drawing, heat treatment process steps). It should be noted that specific consumption and
emission data (expressed per tonne of product) can show huge variations with the wire diameter
produced.
A.3.3.2 Wire Rod Preparation
A.3.3.2.1 Mechanical Descaling of Wire Rod
Mechanical descaling brings about solid waste: scale, mainly consisting of iron oxide (FeO and
Fe3O4) plus traces of other metal oxides, depending on the alloy elements and impurities in the
wire rod. The most common wire descaling technique, wire bending, generates a relatively
coarse scale, which generates only negligible amounts of dust.
Sanding, brushing and shot blasting generate a relatively fine scale and are equipped with a
filter system to capture scale dust. When shot blasting is used, the scale is mixed with the
fraction of the shot blasting media that is not recovered.
Scale is not contaminated with oil or water, in contrast to what is generally the case in the strip
industry. Very fine scale (e.g. filter dust) represents a fire or explosion hazard.
Abrasive methods:
Abrading material
Scale (iron oxide)
Scale dust
Wire bending:
Scale 2-51 kg/t
Note: Source od data [Com BG]
1
depending on wire rod diameter and quality
Table A.3-27: Consumption and emission levels for mechanical descaling
A.3.3.2.2 Chemical Descaling/Pickling of Wire Rod
In chemical descaling liquid waste is generated in form of spent HCl or H2SO4 acid, largely
converted to metal salts. Aerosols (small HCl or H2SO4 particles) can from mechanically when
the wire rod is allowed to drip off. Furthermore, fumes evaporate from the HCl bath and H2 can
form unless suppressed by an inhibitor. Acid fumes from the baths are evacuated. Sometimes
scrubbing is needed, depending on type of acid and concentration. [Bekaert98]

Part A/Chapter 3

Acid:
HCl (32 %) (no recovery) 15 – 25 kg/t
HCl (32 %) (with recovery) n.a.
H2SO4 (98 %) (no recovery) 10 – 20 kg/t
H2SO4 (98 %) (with recovery) 2.5 – 5 kg/t
H2 inhibitor 0.01 – 0.1 kg/t
Energy (mainly electricity):
Pumps, ventilation, lifting equipment etc. n.a.
Heating of acid (only H2SO4) n.a.
1
Rinsing water n.a.
Emissions to air from
HCl pickling (acid vapour, droplets) 6 n.a.
H2SO4 pickling (aerosols, droplets of acid) 6 n.a.
Spent acid:
HCl 80 – 90 % 2
total Cl 200 - 275 g/l
Fe 100 - 160 g/l
H2SO4 3
Rinsing water 10 – 20 % 2
4
FeSO4 x 7 H2O 20 – 35 kg/t
5
H2
Note: Source of data [Com BG]
1
large variations from plant to plant depending on number of rinsing cascades, wire rod diameter and quality
requirements
2
of consumed acid
3
No figures available for spent H2SO4 if recovery by FeSO4-crystallisation is not used
4
from regeneration, 96 – 98 % pure; imureties: H2O, H2SO4 and traces of metals depending on alloy elements in
wire rod
5
Emission of H2 is negligible if a correct H2-inhibitor is used. The use of inhibitors is normally limited to batch
pickling.
6
Source [Stone]
Table A.3-28: Consumption and emission levels for chemical descaling
A.3.3.2.3 Application of Soap Carrier
Consumption and emissions associated with the application of soap carrier vary in dependence
of the type of soap carrier, thickness applied and the wire rod diameter. No quantitative data is
available at the moment.
When Zn-PO4 coating is used, a thick FePO4 sludge or cake is formed containing traces of zinc,
soluble phosphates and chlorate or nitrite coming from the Zn-PO4 bath. Also spent soap carrier
bath may arise as liquid waste. If drying is done in gas - or fuel fired ovens, the usual
combustion products are emitted. [Bekaert98]

Part A/Chapter 3
Lime and equivalent products:

Consumption Emissions
- lime milk (made from lime and process - spent lime milk baths (accumulation of
water) impurities by dragin)
- steam or natural gas - possible emmisions from heating.
- water for compensation of heat losses
Alkali-salts and mixtures of alkali salts
- alkali salt (mixture) - spent soap carrier baths (accumulation of
- water/water for compensation of heat impurities by dragin)
losses - possibly emissions from heating
- possibly steam
ZnPO4 and equivalent products
- concentrated mixture of Zn, H3PO4 and - FePO4 sludge
additive - rinsing water
- water/water for compensation of heat - Bath liquid is normally never discharged.
losses
steam for heating
Table A.3-29: Consumption and emission levels for the application of soap carrier
[Com BG]
A.3.3.3 Drawing of Wire
A.3.3.3.1 Dry Drawing
Dry drawing activities leave spent lubricant, mainly consisting of the drawing soap itself
(typically alkali-salt of natural fatty acid + additives) contaminated by degradation products,
caused by heating of lubrication in the dies, soap carrier and metal particles, like Fe or Zn
depending on the surfaces of the wire). From the drawing activity also soap dust arises, which
can be controlled by proper encapsulation and filtering of the extracted air. Traces of soap may
also contaminate the cooling tower blow down, if the drawing machine is not well maintained.
Furthermore, waste arises in from broken dies. [Bekaert98]

Dry drawing lubricant 1 - 4 kg/t
(preformulated alkali soap + additives)
Electric energy for drawing machine...1 n.a.
Cooling water n.a.
(huge variation)
Spent soap + evt. filter dust of soap filter system 1 - 4 kg/t
Soap dust emission n.a.
Cooling water n.a.
Broken dies not significant
Note: Source of data [Com BG], data per tonne of drawn wire
1
no figure available, huge variation, dependent on diameter, ratio initial / final diameter and type of steel.
Table A.3-30: Consumption and emission levels for dry drawing

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.3.3.2 Wet Drawing
Wet drawing is done in a watery emulsion of soap or oil. This emulsion is gradually
contaminated by dragin of various products from previous process steps, by dissolution or
abrasion of metal from the wire surface (Fe or other metals if the wire is coated in a previous
step), and by thermal or biological degradation. The result is that the wet drawing lubricant
needs to be replaced from time to time; the replacement frequency can be lowered by
continuous removal of some of the contaminants by decantation or filtration.
Other waste streams are broken dies and cooling tower blowdown, which could be
contaminated by traces of emulsion if the heat exchanger is not properly maintained.
Cooling water contamination occurs much less frequent with wet drawing machines than with
dry drawing machines.
No figures are available for wet drawing in plain oil; the percentage of wire tonnage which is
drawn in oil, is rather small. If wire is drawn in plain oil, oil aerosols do not occur. All moving
parts are submersed in oil; the wire is wiped at the exit of the drawing machine. [Com BG]

Preformulated concentrated soap emulsion or oil 1 - 10 kg/t
emulsion
Dillution water for wet drawing lubricant 20 - 250 l/t
Electric energy for drawing machine... n.a.
Cooling water n.a.
(huge variation)
Specific Concentration
Emission
Spent Wet Drawing Emulsion 20 - 250 l/t
(including sludge removed by filtration / decantation)
Suspended Solids
COD (fatty acid soap or oil, surfactants, other additives) 20 - 80 g/l
Metals (Fe for wet drawing of bright wire, other metals 0.2 - 1 g/l
for wet drawing of coated wire)
Cooling water 2 n.a.
Broken dies n.a.
Note: Source of data [Com BG], data per tonne of drawn wire
1
no figure available, huge variation, dependent on diameter, ratio initial / final diameter and type of steel.
2
Note: Cooling water contamination occurs much less frequent with wet drawing machines than with dry drawing
machines.
Table A.3-31: Consumption and emission levels for wet drawing

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.3.4 Heat Treatment of Wire
A.3.3.4.1 Batch Annealing/Bell and Pot Furnaces
Emissions from batch annealing furnaces comprises the combustion products from the firing
and a small flow of the protective atmosphere (purge) containing decomposition products of the
lubricant. These are formed by pyrolisis/cracking of the lubricant molecules; typical
decomposition products are low molecular weight olefins and alkanes.
The cooling water is not contaminated and can be used for cooling of some parts of the furnace.
[Bekaert98], [CET-BAT]

Energy (gas, fuel, electricity) n.a.
Inert gas n.a.
(H2, N2, H2/N2-mixture, partially oxidized gas)
Cooling water n.a.
Oil (if applied) n.a.
Combustion products n.a.
Cooling water n.a.
Spent inert gas 1
Note: No figures are available for annealing of wire, but they are assumed to be similar to those for annealling in a
hood-type furnace used for strip, although the unit size is much smaller in the wire business. [Com BG]
1
Normally all spent protective gas is burnt.
Table A.3-32: Consumption and emission levels for bell and pot furnaces
A.3.3.4.2 Continuous Annealing/Molten Lead Bath
Continuous annealing in a lead bath is composed of a lead bath followed by quenching in water.
This process leads to solid wastes in the form of lead oxides and lead contaminated bath cover
material. Waste water is formed as overflow of the quench bath; this stream contains some of
Pb. Emissions to air occur in form of dust (bath cover material, including small amounts of Pb)
and soap pyrolysis products (VOC, CO, etc.). [Com BG]
Often, this heat-treatment step is followed by continuous pickling in a HCl bath. Due to the
short residence time, heated and concentrated HCl is used. HCl-fumes are removed by
scrubbing from the gaseous outlet streams of the HCl-bath. Liquid waste generated are spent
acids, partially converted to metal salts and contaminated by iron, lead, traces of other metals
and inorganic suspended solids; quench water also contaminated by lead (magnitude mg/l).
Waste waters occur as rinsing water from the rinsing cascade after the HCl-bath and from the
scrubber. [Bekaert98], [Com BG]

Part A/Chapter 3

Lead 1 – 15 1 kg/t
Energy for heating the lead bath (gas, fuel) n.a.
Quench water 1-3 m3/t
Lead waste (lead oxides + spent bath cover) 1 –15 1 kg/t
Quench water overflow 0.5 – 2.5 m3/t
(containing Pb and suspended solids) SS n.a.
Pb 2 - 20 mg/l
Emissions of lead bath: Pb 0.02 - 5 mg/m3
Dust 1 – 30 mg/m3
TOC 1 - 50 mg/m3
Emissions from heating the lead baths
(typical emissions of standard heating process)
Note: Source of data [Com BG], data per tonne of wire
1
extreme figures apply to fine wire
Table A.3-33: Consumption and emission levels for lead baths

HCl (expressed as 32 % HCl) 10 - 100 kg/t
Energy for heating the HCl-bath 1 n.a.
Scrubber / rinsing water 0.5 - 5 m3/t
2
Spent HCl 5 - 100 l/t
Total Cl 150 – 275 g/l
Fe 60 - 125 g/l
Scrubber/rinsing waste water 0.5 - 5 mg/m3
HCl (emissions from scrubber) 0 – 30 3 mg/m3
Lubricant burn-off
Waste water
Dust
Note: Source of data [Com BG], data per tonne of pickled wire; the figures for HCl-pickling are also -/+
representative for other continuous HCl pickling process steps.
1
often the bath is heated by residual heat in the wire
2
spent acid contains Cl, Fe and other contaminants depending on previous processing steps, e.g. soap residues,
pickled soap carrier, Pb…
3
small sources (< 300 g/h) can have higher concentrations, as in most countries, small sources only have to comply
with a limit for mass flow
Table A.3-34: Consumption and emission levels for in-line HCl pickling
A.3.3.4.3 Patenting
For a patenting line consisting of a furnace with direct contact between wire and combustion
gases, a lead bath and a quench bath, wastes and emissions are as follows:
Air emissions arise from the furnace. The furnace is heated to 850 - 1000 °C using natural gas
(or a similar sulphur-free fuel) and with a slight O2-shortage. Fresh air is mixed with the hot
exhaust gas of the oven in order to convert the CO to CO2, prior to emission into the

Part A/Chapter 3
atmosphere. NOx and SO2 are negligible in this stream: reducing atmosphere/fuel is free of
sulphur.
The lead bath is used for cooling; in contrast to a lead bath used for annealing, there is no
burning of residual lubricant, so the emissions to air are limited to dust (bath cover material,
containing traces of Pb).
Solid waste is generated by the lead bath as lead oxides and spent bath cover material. Waste
water is formed in the quench bath. Some installations need cooling water for cooling of
moving parts that are in contact with the hot wire. [Com BG]

Lead 1 - 10 kg/t
Energy (for heating the furnace and for heating n.a.
the lead bath during start-up and stand-by periods)
Quench water 1-3 m3/t
Cooling water 0 – n.a.
Lead waste (lead oxides + spent bath cover) 1 - 10 kg/t
Quench water overflow 0.5 – 2.5 m3/t
(containing Pb and suspended solids) SS n.a.
Pb 2 - 20 mg/l
Stack emissions from lead bath: Pb < 0.02 – 1 mg/m3
Dust 1 - 30 mg/m3
Stack emissions from the furnace: CO 50 - 300 mg/m3
NOx, SO2 negligible
Note: Source of data [Com BG], data per tonne of wire
Table A.3-35: Consumption and emission levels for patenting

[Bekaert98]
A.3.3.4.4 Oil Hardening & Tempering
An oil hardening and tempering line consists of a heating step under protective gas, quenching
in oil or water, and reheating in a temper oven. Waste and emissions are dependent on the
method of heating, the quench medium and the reheating method. This, in combination with
the broad diameter range of products, makes it impossible to present general figures for an oil
hardening and tempering line. [Com BG]

Energy for heating (electricity, and/or natural gas)
Protective gas
Quenching medium (oil, water, additives)
Lead (if applied)
Cooling water
Using a lead bath: lead waste
Quenching with water: waste water
Quenching with oil: waste quench oil
emission to air of oil aerosols
Heating with natural gas: exhaust gas of normal combustion process
Burnt protective gas stream
Table A.3-36: Qualitative input / output balance for oil hardening

Part A/Chapter 3
A.3.3.4.5 Annealing of Stainless Steel Wire
A quantitative mass balance cannot be given (lack of data / small tonnage when compared to
plain steel/high variation due to variation in diameter and stainless steel composition).

Energy: gas (fuel), electricity
Inert gas: H2, N2, H2/N2-mixture
Cooling water
Combustion products
Cooling water
Source [Com BG]
Note: normally all spent protective gas is burnt
Table A.3-37: Qualitative input / output balance for annealing of stainless steel
A.3.3.4.6 Stress Relieving
The most important application is stress relieving of PC-strand: reinforcement wire that will be
used in prestressed concrete. Normally inductive heating is used as heating technique.

Electric energy for the inductive heating coil and possibly for a soaking zone
Cooling water for equipment and wire
Cooling water
Source [Com BG]
Table A.3-38: Qualitative input / output balance for stress relieving
A.3.3.5 Noise Issues in a Wire Plant
Excessive noise is primarily an internal occupational health issue, with precautions normally
taken to protect employees where it is not practical to prevent or reduce noise at the source. In
some instances, depending on the location of the process and noise characteristics, depending
on local off-site aspects (other noise sources, nearby residential area,...), and depending on local
plant aspects (noise reduction by the building structure), there can be a concern for noise off-
site.
The main sources of noise in wire processes are:

· Rotating equipment, e.g. wet drawing machines; dry drawing machines; take-up units and
pull-through units on coating lines.
· Air-wipes or air-brushes which clean the wire using compressed air can have a high
frequency noise.
· Pay-off units of wire rod have a particular repetitive noise.
· Burners of ovens.
These operations are typically continuous operations and are operated inside a building. In this
way, the impact outside the building is minimized to such an extent, that noise generated by
these operations rarely is an issue when concerning noise off-site.

Part A/Chapter 3
Case studies show that non-process sources outside the building, such as ventilation or plant
utilities, are the main concern in wire plants located close to e.g. a residential area. Measures
such as relocation, insulation or local enclosure can be considered for this last category of
sources.

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4 TECHNIQUES TO CONSIDER IN THE DETERMINATION

OF BAT FOR HOT AND COLD FORMING
In this section techniques for environmental protection and energy saving measures are given
for the individual processing steps. A description of each technique, the main achieved emission
levels, the applicability, the monitoring of emissions, cross-media effects, reference plants,
operational data, economics and driving force for the implementation are given where these data
are available and pertinent.
Some of the techniques listed here aim predominantly at improving product quality and
increasing yield. As these measures also have an environmental impact (reduced scrap, reduced
energy consumption, less emissions) they are covered here as well, although their reduction
potential may only be limited.
A.4.1 HOT ROLLING MILL
A.4.1.1 Storage and Handling of Raw Materials and Auxiliaries
Description:
Oil: Spillages of oil may occur at storage tanks and from pipelines. Such spillages are drained
to pump sumps, from where the oil, grease water mixture may be fed to intermediate waste oil
storage tanks. Discharge of filled tanks may be carried out via authorised external companies or,
in the case of integrated plant sites, by internal thermal treatment plants or via the blast furnace
or coke ovens.
Accidental releases of hydrocarbons are prevented by periodic checks and preventive

maintenance of seals, gaskets, pumps and pipelines.
Contaminated drainage water at the various consumers (hydraulic aggregates) should be

collected and may be pumped into intermediate storage tanks. The waste oil, after separation
from water, should be reused or utilized, e.g. by injection into the blast furnace or by external
recycling. To allow for reuse, the separated oil has to be recovered in sufficient quantities and in
a form suitable for reuse; the chemical composition and the physical properties (e.g. viscosity)
of the recovered (used) oil have to be the same as of the new oil. The separated water may be
further processed in a water treatment plant, e.g. with ultra filtration or vacuum evaporator (e.g.
of industrial washing machines).
Complete prevention of water and scale contamination by hydrocarbons (oils and grease) is,
even by applying precautionary measures, almost impossible.
A.4.1.2.1 Enclosed Scarfing Operation with Wastegas Cleaning
Description:
As shown in Figure A.4-1, scarfing takes place in a tightly closed hood, which captures the
fume and dust generated by the oxy-fuel flame. The waste air is cleaned by dry or wet
electrostatic precipitators or fabric filters. The collected dust is internally recycled within
integrated steel works or disposed of by authorised companies.

Part A/Chapter 4
Water jets are used to remove the slag from the conditioned surface. Spent water and slag are
collected in a flume beneath the roller table and transferred to water treatment.
Figure A.4-1: Scarfing abatement flowsheet (example with wet EP)

[HMIP]
Main achieved environmental benefits:

· Reduced fugitive air emissions/dust.
Applicability:
· New plants (difficult to implement in existing plants due to problems with structures of
buildings).
· Not applicable for manual scarfing.
Cross-media effects:
· Increased energy consumption.
· Generation of waste / filter dust or sludge which is collected.
· Waste can be reduced by internal recycling.
Reference plants:
SIDMAR, Aceralia (Avilés)
Operational data and economics:
Example SIDMAR:
The scarfing machine is located in a special building (dimensions 32 m x 18 m x 9 m) with
acoustic insulated sidewalls leading to a maximum noise level of 85 dBA at 1 m. The fume is
captured at the 4 corners of the roof. The complete installation is operated under suction with an
aspiration flow of 200000 m3/h. The aspiration is controlled automatically as a function of the
place where the scarfing takes place (2/3 of fumes are aspired above the work area). The
exhaust air is cleaned by fabric filters with filter area of 3576 m2 leading to an exit dust
concentration of 5 – 10 mg/Nm3 (continuous optical measurement in stack).

Part A/Chapter 4
Year of Waste Gas Particulate Energy Costs

Installation Volume Emission Consumption 1 EURO
[m3/s] [mg/m3] [kWh/1000m2] ‘000
a Wet EP 1973 32 20 - 115
(Billet Scarfer)
b Wet EP < 20
c Wet EP 1988 approx. 60 30 - 80 n.a.
a Dry EP 1986 30 20 - 115
(Slab Scarfer)
b Dry EP < 50 420
d Bag filter data: 1998 30 < 10
b Bag filter Æ 42 < 20 155 I 2: 2200
max. 55 O 1,3 0.058
e Bag filter 55.6 5 - 10
Note: ESP = Electrostatic Precipitator; I = Investment costs; O = Operational costs
a: [EUROFER HR]
b: [CITEPA], levels were reported BAT levels of the air-BAT-note
c: [Input-HR-1]
d: [DFIU98]
e: Company information SIDMAR
1
Reference base 1000 m2-scarfed
2
Investment costs given for complete installation, incl. civil engineering, filter (filter area: 3200 m2), hood,
ventilators, motors, pipes, control measurement devices etc.
3
Operational costs for full capacity, 60 % manpower
Table A.4-1: Operational data and achievable emission levels for dust from scarfing operation
As the fume generated by scarfing is very corrosive, maintenance is an important issue for good
performance of the abatement units. Regular inspection of precipitator electrodes, associated
internals etc. is recommended to survey corrosion.
If the fume is very wet, bag filters might be problematic. [Com HR]
Driving force for implementation: prevention of fugitive emissions. [Com HR]

Reference literature:
A.4.1.2.2 Enclosed Grinding Operation with Waste Gas Cleaning
Description:
The dust created by grinding operations is collected and precipitated in bag filters. Manual
grinding is carried out in dedicated booths, equipped with collection hoods. Machine grinding is
carried out in soundproofed, complete enclosures. The abatement unit, in both cases, is either
stand-alone or shop based.
The collected dust is internally recycled within integrated steelworks or disposed of by

authorised companies.

Part A/Chapter 4
Figure A.4-2: Grinding abatement flowsheet

[HMIP]

· Reduced fugitive air emissions/dust.
· Noise is reduced.
Applicability:
· New Plants.
· Generation of waste / filter dust which is collected.
· Waste can be reduced by internal recycling.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Year of Waste Gas Particulate Energy Costs

Installation Volume Emission Consumption 1 EURO
[m3/s] [mg/m3] [kWh/1000m2] ‘000
a Compact 1980 - 1989 2.5 20 - 100
Cell Filter 2
a Pulse Jet 1995 7 < 30
Filter 3
a: [EUROFER HR], reported typical operational data and emission levels [Com2 HR]
1
Reference base 1000 m2-ground
2
Bag area 120 m2
3
Bag area 234 m2
Table A.4-2: Operational data and achievable emissions for dust reduction from grinding
Economics:
Driving force for implementation: Prevention of fugitive emissions. [Com HR]

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.2.3 CAQC - Computer Aided Quality Control
Description:
Computer aided quality control is applied to enhance the quality of the continuous casting
output, thus reducing surface defects in the rolled product. A computer model observes and
controls the casting conditions based on various peripheral measurements. Each change in the
operation parameters leads to a new pre-setting of the machine for an optimised casting process.
Changes in the casting conditions, which cannot be corrected by the control loop and may lead
to surface defects, are recognised and visualised by the system so that the location of a possible
fault is well known. Subsequently, selective (manual) scarfing of the damaged areas is possible
instead of automatically scarfing the total slab.

· Reduction of air emissions and waste from scarfing, because selected scarfing is possible.
· Energy consumption for scarfing process is reduced.
· Enhanced surface quality, reduction of scrap.
Without CAQC With CAQC

Machine scarfed 32 % 9 %
Inspection and selective scarfing 68 % 8 %
No inspection no scarfing 83 %
Table A.4-3: Comparison of amount of scarfing with/without CAQC

[DFIU98]
Applicability:
· New and existing plants with continuous casting [Com HR].
Reference plants:
· VA Stahl Linz, Austria.
· EKO Stahl, Germany [Com A].
Operational data:
Economics:
Only very limited data on economics were reported.
One source reported investment costs of EUR 4 m, Voest [Input-HR-1]; while another reported
savings of 5 $ per tonne of steel [Com A] in connection with implementationof CAQC.
Driving force for implementation:

· Improved quality of hot rolled product, increased yield.
· Reduction of slab conditioning costs [Com A].
Aspects of modern quality control for continuous casting, 3rd European Conference on
Continuous Casting, Oct. 20 – 23, 1998 [Com A]

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.2.4 Rolling of Wedge-type Slabs
Description:
Instead of flame cutting, wedge-type slabs are rolled under special settings of the hot rolling
mill. The wedge is either eliminated by edging technology (automatic width control or sizing
press) or by trimming during the subsequent shearing of hot strips.

· Emissions and wastes normally generated by flame cutting are avoided.
Applicability: new plants and existing plants in case of major revamping [ComHR]
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.2.5 Slab Slitting
Description:
In order to improve caster productivity, the slabs are often cast in multiple widths. The slabs are
slit before hot rolling by means of slitting devices, slit rolling or torches either manually
operated or mounted on a machine. In that way, wedge-type slabs are prevented.

· Emissions and waste arising from wedge correction are prevented.
Applicability:
· Additional energy consumption [Com A].
Reference plants:
· Krakatau Steel [Com A].
Operational data:
This technique requires an improved quality of centre segregation.
Gas consumption 1.6 Nm3/t slab
Oxygen consumption 2.7 Nm3/t slab
Yield loss 1.4 0 3.0 % of slab weight, depending on slab dimensions [Com A]
Economics:

Higher caster capacity as twin or triple casting [Com A]

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.3 Reheating and Heat Treatment Furnaces
A.4.1.3.1 General Measures for Energy Efficiency and Low Emission

Operation
Furnace design
The design of the furnace and the degree of insulation have a significant effect on the thermal
efficiency. The furnace as a whole, the number and the installed capacity of the burners should
be carefully calculated starting from several realistic production scenarios. Different heating
temperatures of the stock, differences in production rhythm caused by changes in the
dimensions of the stock or as a result of changes in the production rhythm of the hot mill as well
as periods where hot or direct charging is applied have to be taken into account.
[EUROFER HR]
The appropriate equipment should be available to limit the emissions and the energy
consumption in case of a sudden line stop. This means that temperature can easily be turned
down or burners switched off in certain furnace sections. In the latter case, a N2-purge might be
necessary for safety reasons. [EUROFER HR], [Com HR]
Generally, the following recommendations should be considered, preferably in the design

process:
· Incorporation of a stock recuperation zone in the furnace, with the unfired preheating
section being large enough to ensure a maximum recovery of the heat of the flue gases.
· Radiant burners in the roof of the furnace, due to quick dissipation of energy, produce lower
NOx levels.
· Return of the flue gases into the burners influences the NOx emission level.
· Insulation properties of the refractory material are important, therefore constructional
measures should be taken to increase the life of the refractory material, as damage in the
refractory material cannot be repaired immediately.
· Use of low thermal mass refractory material can reduce stored energy losses and reduce
light-up energy and time [ETSU-G76]. Ceramic fibres are generally cheaper than pre-cast
concrete modules and have good insulating properties. However, following a European
Directive, their use is or will be limited because they may cause cancer by inhalation. In
new condition the fibres are dust-producing when being manipulated and may cause some
skin irritation. After heating, cristoballite is formed which is suspected to cause cancer.
Nevertheless, new ceramic fibres are also considered suspect [Com2 HR].
· Improved air-tightness of furnaces and installation of specially designed doors, to reduce
tramp air [ETSU-G76].
· Door areas and/or charge and discharge door gaps should be minimized, use of insulating
refractory curtains for times when doors are necessarily open (provided that excessive
mechanical damage to stock can be avoided) [ETSU-G76].
· Measures such as skid mark compensation or skid shifting, avoid skid marks and allow
lower heating temperature [EUROFER HR].
Waste Heat Recovery

The heat contained in the gases leaving the reheating furnace normally constitutes the main
energy loss. Three basic principles of heat recovery options should be considered:
(a) Minimizing energy lost in the exhaust gases.

(b) Recycling the exhaust gas energy back to the furnace.
(c) Using the exhaust gas energy for other purposes ('external').
As mentioned under furnace design, energy loss in exhaust gases can be minimized by creating
a large temperature gradient along the length of the furnaces, removing the exhaust gas at the

Part A/Chapter 4
cold (discharge) end and using the heat for stock recuperation. Using exhaust gas energy outside
the furnace usually implies the generation of steam, which might be used elsewhere in the plant.
Utilising the exhaust gas energy within the furnace comprises basically three heat recovery
systems: regenerative burners, self-recuperative burners and recuperators, which are presented
in more detail later on. [ETSU-G76]
Operation & Maintenance

The furnace should be run with 'good craftsmanship'. Even sophisticated installations can give
poor results in emission and thermal efficiency if the process is not properly operated and if the
installations are not maintained on a regular basis. Experience has shown that good
housekeeping can lead to fuel savings of up to 10 %. [ETSU-G76]
Turbulence in the flame of the burners should be avoided. Investigations showed a marked
increase of the NOx production by temperature fluctuations compared to the NOx values
produced by a steady flame operating at the same mean temperature. The control system should
therefore be appropriate.
Air excess is also an important factor for the control of the NOx emission level, the energy
consumption and the formation of scale. The air excess should be minimized without excessive
CO emission. Special care should be taken to avoid the presence of tramp air, which increases
the energy consumption as well as the NOx emission. A mass spectrometer is useful in keeping
the air/gas ratio at an optimal level for fuels with variable or unknown composition.
[EUROFER HR]
Heat stored in the refractories is supplied during light-up period and the first production shift.
During continuous operation this stored heat is usually regarded as negligible. When down-shift
practices are employed (e.g. at weekends) or when furnaces are deliberately cooled for
maintenance reasons, these energy losses can become an important factor as this energy has to
be put in during furnace heat-up for the next production period. For two cases, stored energy
losses during weekend plant shut-down were reported: 0.409 GJ/m2 and 0.243 GJ/m2. During
production stoppages and weekends, doors should be closed and sealed to retain the heat. The
use of low thermal mass refractories can reduce light-up time, energy consumption and
operating costs. [ETSU-G76]
Choice of fuel
Integrated steel works normally utilise gases from the coke oven plant, the blast furnace or the
basic oxygen furnace, sometimes in mixture with natural gas. Non-desulphurised coke oven gas
and S-containing liquid fuel (including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and all types of oil
(distillate and residual) and emulsion) are the major sources of SO2 emission from re-heating
furnaces. If required, desulphurisation ought to be performed at the gas producing and providing
plants (e.g. coke oven battery). The use of liquid fuel is sometimes necessary to continue
operations during a temporary stop in the supply of gaseous fuels, which can result in elevated
sulphur oxide emission. Limiting the sulphur content in fuel oil is one measure to reduce SO2
emissions. Where possible, the use of plant gases should be maximised, which minimizes the
use of valuable natural resources and the need to flare the plant gases.
SO2 emission is directly related to the S-content of the fuel. Due to the different ratios of the
volume of the flue gases to the volume of the fuel gas for different fuels, a comparable S-
content in 2 different fuels can result in marked differences in the SO2 content in the flue gases.
Depending on the fuel used the following SO2 levels are achieved:
-
natural gas < 100 mg/Nm3
-
all other gases and gas mixtures < 400 mg/Nm3
-
fuel oil (< 1 % S) up to 1700 mg/Nm³

Part A/Chapter 4
Techniques for efficient combustion are based on burner design, the method of atomisation and
control of air supply. A control system is required to govern the fuel and air supplies and is
important in air pollution control. It is important that the atomisation of oil fuels is efficient, and
the primary consideration will be the viscosity of the fuel fed to the burners. [EUROFER HR]
With regard to NOx formation, the individual combustion gases also show a different
behaviour. For instance, waste gas from coke-oven gas firing contains 50 to 100 % more NOx
than the waste gas from natural gas firing.
The composition of the fuel is related to the flame temperature. Methane (natural gas) burns
relatively slowly compared to fuels with a high H2 - content (e.g. coke oven gas) that tends to
burn more quickly with a higher NOx emission level (up to 70 % higher). The type of burner
should be appropriate for the available fuel(s). [EUROFER HR]
A.4.1.3.2 Furnace Automation / Furnace Control
Description:
With the help of a process computer the heating process can be optimised (e.g. no unnecessary
overheating of slabs during interruptions, more accurate temperature control) in accordance
with material quality and dimensions. At the same time, parameters such as the proportion of
combustion air, are controlled more exactly. [EUROFER HR]
Furnace pressure control: If the furnace pressure is below atmospheric pressure, cold air will
be drawn into the chamber through doors and openings. Conversely, if it is above atmospheric
pressure, hot gases will be forced out through the same openings. For reasons of energy
efficiency, consistency of operation and product quality furnaces, are usually operated at a
slight positive pressure compared with the outside air. [ETSU-G76] Another reason to maintain
a slightly positive furnace pressure is for safety; to prevent air ingress which might provide an
explosive mixture if fuel/gas were ignited, especially on start-up. [Com HR]
Air/fuel ratio control: Control of the air/fuel ratio is necessary to regulate the quality of the
combustion, as it secures flame stability and complete combustion. Adjusting the air/fuel ratio
as close as possible to stoichiometric conditions results in higher fuel efficiency and reduced
exhaust gas energy losses. Measurements of the oxygen concentration in the combustion
products in the furnace can be used to provide a signal to trim air/fuel ratio control systems
(Oxygen Trim Control). [ETSU-G76]

· Reduced energy consumption.
· NOx reduction.
Applicability:
· New and existing continuous reheating furnaces.
Cross-media effects: - no negative effects on other media are known.
Reference plants:
Roundwood Coil Bar Mill, Rotherham Engineering Steels Ltd, UK
British Steel, Teesside, UK
Benteler AG, Dinslaken, Germany [StuE-116-11]

Part A/Chapter 4
Example Oxygen Trim Control
A system using zirconia-based oxygen measuring cells has been installed at Rotherham
Engineering Steels' walking beam furnace which is used for reheating square billets from cold
to 1200 oC. The 110 t/h capacity furnace operates 6 independently controlled temperature zones.
It is usually fired by natural gas, but with heavy fuel as an alternative during interruptions in gas
supplies. The oxygen trim resulted in a lower average oxygen concentration in the furnace than
with conventional air/fuel ratio control. Energy savings of about 2 % were achieved: although
the reduction in oxygen content suggests that savings of around 4.7 % could realistically be
achieved, this potential has been reduced by an increase of temperature in the heating zones.
Additional benefits included improved product quality and reduced maintenance costs. [ETSU-
FP15], [ETSU-G77]
Energy reductions of 2 % were equivalent to an approximate fuel cost saving of ₤ 26000/y,

giving a simple payback time of 1 year on the initial investment of ₤ 26572 (reference year
1989). [ETSU-FP15]
Example Computer-Controlled Furnace Management

Computer-controlled furnace management installed at two pusher-type furnaces used to re-heat
cold charged slabs at BS, Teeside, resulted in energy savings of 15 % for both furnaces. The
former manually adjusted temperature zones switched to computer controlled (using on-line
mathematical models) to provide optimal heating profiles.
Implementation of computerised furnace control at a German pipe production site, led to energy
savings of 5 % and a reduction of scale generation during reheating of up to 30 %. [StuE-116-
11]
Reduction [%] Investment cost [M ECU]

NOx Energy 1 New facilities Existing facilities
Furnace automation 2 10 10 2.0 2.0
Note: Source of data [EUROFER HR]. Basis is a furnace with a yearly capacity of 1.5 Mt fired with natural gas with
standard burners and without air preheat. Investment costs can be site specific (available room, layout of the
existing furnace, number of side and bottom burners)
1
In percentage terms, the energy reduction is matched by the reduction in SO2, CO and CO2 emissions
2
With furnace automation is meant all measures that allow a quick adaptation of the furnace parameters to changes
in the production and a tight control of the air excess
Table A.4-4: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for furnace automation

Reference literature: [ETSU-FP15], [ETSU-G77], [ETSU-G76]
A.4.1.3.3 Optimised Furnace Door Design
Description:
Conventional (one-segment) furnace doors leave gaps beside the feedstock through which
furnace gases escape (or tramp air may be sucked into the furnace; see negative impact of
excess air). In case of escaping furnace gases, this results not only in uncontrolled (fugitive)
emission, but also in a loss of waste gas which might otherwise be used for combustion air
preheating. The recuperation efficiency is thus reduced.

Part A/Chapter 4
The modern furnace door design comprises a vast number of single doors (e.g. 64 doors on a
width of 15.6 m) which can be lowered down on the refractory to the left and right of the
feedstock. [STuE-117-5]
Applicability:
· New and existing continuous reheating furnaces.

Reference plants: Stahlwerke Bremen
Operational data:
The change of the furnace door design (of a walking beam furnace) resulted in an increase of
the air preheat temperature (recuperation) of 60 ° with a reduction in energy consumption of
0.05 GJ/t. [STuE-117-5]
Economics:
With the given reduction of energy consumption of 0.05 GJ/T and an investment cost of DEM
1 m (reference year 97) for 2 doors and a production of about 3.5 Mt, the return on investment
was about 1 year. [STuE-117-5]

A.4.1.3.4 Regenerative Burner System
Description: see Chapter D.2.1

· Reduction of the total volume of flue gases.
Applicability:
· New plants.
· Existing plants, provided that space is available.
· Higher NOx emission levels may occur. [EUROFER HR]
· Reduced energy consumption has a positive effect on SO2 and CO2.
Reference plants: small part of reheating furnaces.
Operational information and economics:
Example A:
A UK plant operating a walking beam furnace to heat various sizes of mild steel tube (up to
200 mm diameter and 15 m long) from cold to 1050 oC, changed their firing to regenerative
burners. The old 44 nozzle mix, NG fired burners were replaced by 12 pairs of regenerative
burners. At the same time, the roof profile was modified to improve zone control and hot gas
circulation. As a result of the plant modification the specific energy consumption was reduced
from typically 3.55 GJ/t to 1.7 GJt, giving a 52 % saving in fuel use. Productivity potential was
improved by 14 %. The payback period was less than three years. [ETSU-G77]

Part A/Chapter 4
Example B:
Rotherham Engineering Steels revamped one of their soaking pit re-heating units in 1987 with
dual-fuel, regenerative low-NOx burners. The original pit was feeding a billet mill with ingots;
a nominal charge being about 100 t heated to about 1300 °C. About 80 % of the charged
material was hot charged at about 750 °C, 20 % was charged cold coming from stock (no mixed
charges of hot and cold material). The pit was dual-fuel fired by NG or heavy fuel oil by a main
6.5 MW burner in the upper part of one of the end-walls and by a 750 kW supplementary unit
directly beneath. A concentric-tube recuperator provided preheated air to the main burner only.
Compared with the original plant only the combustion system was changed; the structure, stock
tonnage, and the thermal objectives remained essentially the same. An assembly of two
regenerative burners was installed at each end of the pit. Long-term monitoring showed energy
savings of 40 % for oil-firing mode. Short-term monitoring for oil-firing confirmed the same
savings. Cost of the modification was ₤ 170000 (including ₤ 21500 on-site burner development)
resulting in a payback period of 2.4 years (2.1 without the burner development). [ETSU-NP-54]
Advantages and disadvantages:

Higher NOx emissions may occur (typical value is 350 mg/Nm³), but combined with lower
energy consumption and waste gas flow reduction, specific NOx emission (in g/tonne steel) is
comparable with the specific NOx emission level reached with other systems. [EUROFER HR]
A drawback of regenerative systems is their sensitivity to dust. If the heating process generates
substantial amounts of dust the permeability of the ceramic fillings in the regenerator drops very
fast and the fillings have to be replaced consequently. This item appears to be a minor problem
in re-heating furnaces in steel plants. [EUROFER HR]
Regenerative burners are usually bigger than conventional burners. Thus limited space can be
an obstacle for installing regenerative burners in existing plants. To date, it has not been
possible to use regenerative systems cannot be used for roof burners. [EUROFER HR]
A regenerative system might be considered for the construction of new re-heating furnaces in
those cases where, due to the plant layout, the length of the re-heating furnace has to be limited.
In the same way, an increase in the production capacity of an existing furnace is possible by
installing a regenerative system without increasing the length of the furnace (which in most
cases is a fixed specification). [EUROFER HR]
This system is particularly interesting for batch processes because batch processes generally do
not contain a preheat zone. In continuous furnaces equipped with a central recuperator system, a
similar thermal efficiency is reached by means of a long unheated (preheat) zone, where the
heat of the flue gases is transmitted by convection to the cold stock. A thermal efficiency of the
furnace of 80 % can be achieved. [EUROFER HR]
The higher investment costs (regenerative system, more expensive burners) may be
compensated by the benefits of shortening the length of the furnace (new plant) and increased
fuel efficiency. [EUROFER HR]

Regenerative systems 50 40 4.0 4.5
Notes: Source of data [EUROFER HR]. Basis is a furnace with a yearly capacity of 1.5 Mt fired with natural gas
with standard burners and without air preheat. Investment costs can be site specific (available room, layout
of the existing furnace, number of side and bottom burners)
1
Table A.4-5: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for regenerative systems
Driving force for implementation: improved energy efficiency and monetary advantage.
Reference literature: [ETSU-G76], [ETSU-G77]

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.3.5 Recuperator and Recuperative Burners

· Reduced fuel/energy consumption.
Applicability:
· New plants.
· Existing plants in case of major revamping [Com HR].
Cross media effect:

· NOx emission levels increase with rising combustion air temperature.
· Reduced energy consumption has a positive effect on SO2 and CO2.
Reference plants:

Recuperator with low-NOx NOx Energy 1 New facilities Existing facilities
(2nd generation) 50 25 1.0 2.2
Recuperative burner 30 25 4.5 5.0
1
Table A.4-6: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for recuperators and recuperative
burners

A.4.1.3.6 Oxy-fuel Technology
Description:
Normal combustion air is replaced by industrial grade oxygen.

· Reduced energy consumption and CO2 emission.
· Reduced CO and overall NOx emissions.
Applicability:
· New furnaces.
· Existing furnaces in case of major revamps.
· Higher NOx emission concentrations, although overall NOx emissions are lower.
· Potential safety hazard from using pure oxygen.

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants: several case studies (mostly for stainless steel)

At least 50 units in normal daily steel heating operation; soaking pits, car bottom furnaces, box
furnaces, caternary furnaces, rotary hearth furnaces, roller hearth furnaces etc. At least 6 new
furnaces operating in Sweden.
Operational data:
Economics:
· Low investment costs.
· High running cost if no increase in production is realized.

· Increased productivity.
· Fuel savings.
· Lower overall NOx emissions.
"All Oxy-Fuel in heating furnaces", Dr. Joachim von Schéele and Dipl. Ing. Tomas Ekman,
"Nordic Steel and Mining Review 2000", page 100.
A.4.1.3.7 Low-NOx Burners

Nowadays burners combining low-NOx design features and air preheating are available, e.g.
regenerative low-NOx burners.

· Reduction in NOx emission.
Applicability:
· New furnaces.
· Existing plants in case of major revamping (limitation for the replacement of existing
burners may be given with respect to the size). [Com HR] Existing conventional burners
can generally be converted into first generation low-NOx burners by changing burner baffle
and port block. A conversion to second generation low-NOx burners is more difficult and
requires a modification of the furnace lining. [EUROFER HR]
· The internal flue gas re-circulation, a design feature of low-NOx burners, reduces the NOx
level, but may increases energy consumption.
Reference plants:
EKO Stahl, Aceralia, Voest Alpine, Preussag, etc.

For low-NOx burners the NOx level is less dependent on the air preheat temperature.
Sometimes in industrial practice, low-NOx burners do not show best performance in NOx
emission. This shows that the total NOx output is influenced by a lot of other parameters such
as furnace design, type of fuel, heating temperature, operation and maintenance. [EUROFER
HR] Special care is therefore necessary regarding operating conditions and control of operation.
Compared to conventional burners a reduction in the NOx emission level of approximately 30

% can be obtained. A typical value for natural gas is 300 mg NOx /Nm³.

Part A/Chapter 4
In two cases, using COG and heavy oil, guaranteed emission levels of 330 mg NOx/m3 (dry
waste gas at 5 % O2) were reported. [DFIU]
Examples
Voest Alpine is operating 2 pusher–type (350 t/h) and 2 heat treatment furnaces. The reduction
of the NOx level can only be obtained, when the burner capacity is higher than 20 %. During an
unscheduled or scheduled delay time (burner capacity < 20 %) the NOx level can be double or
more. Investment costs were reported to be EUR 1 m/furnace (350 t/h). [Input-HR-1]
EKO Stahl operates a walking-beam furnace with a capacity of 200 t/h. The furnace is
equipped with low-NOx burners and is operated with natural gas and an air preheating
temperature of 450° C (waste gas volume 140000 m3/h). Levels of 400 mg/m3 for NOx and
<100 mg/m for CO (reference 5 % O2) are achieved as daily averages in the case of cold
charging.
NOx emissions of 250 mg/m3 (reference 3 % O2) with Low-NOx burners were also reported,
compared to conventional burners with 300 – 500 mg/m3 ACB

NOx Energy New Existing
facilities facilities
Low-NOx burners with internal flue gas 40 0 0 0.8
recirculation (1st generation)
Low-NOx burners with internal flue gas 65 0 0.2 1.2
recirculation and air staging (2nd
generation)
Table A.4-7: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for low-NOx burners

A.4.1.3.8 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
Description:
A secondary measure to reduce the NOx emissions is selective catalytic reduction. The general
technical description of SCR is given in Chapter D.2.4.

Applicability:
· New and existing plants.
· Use of ammonia gas (transport and storage can be hazardous and subject to stringent safety
regulations).
· Risk of air pollution due to ammonia slip.
· Possible increase in energy consumption [Vercaemst 27.7].
· Possible increase in waste; de-activated catalyst, which can be reprocessed by the
manufacturer. This waste stream probably will be minimal.[Vercaemst 27.7], [Oekopol 7.9]

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Hoogovens Steel, walking beam furnace [Com NL]
Operational data:
Example Corus/Hoogovens Hot Rolling Mill No 2 in IJmuiden:

In IJmuiden the SCR technique is applied at the walking beam furnaces which produce about
2.3 million tonnes of hot rolled steel annually. Due to the specific construction of the flue gas
channel, it was possible to build the ordinary SCR catalyst into the existing channel. The type of
catalyst used is suitable to operate within the temperature range 270 - 450 °C. Short periods of
temperatures up to 500 °C do not harm the catalyst. With this type of installation it is possible to
get an overall reduction rate of more than 80 %. The permit of the plant describes a reduction
from 800 mg/Nm3 to 320 mg/Nm3 and a demand to achieve more than 85 % reduction, which
can probably be done. The cost efficiency of the SCR at the walking beam furnace at
Corus/Hoogovens is NLG 4.20 per kg NOx reduced. [EUROFER 31.3] [EUROFER 3.4]
In IJmuiden no SCR behind a pusher type furnace is installed yet, but one is under construction.
Start of operation is scheduled for June 2000. For the second pusher furnace, installation of an
SCR is planned for early next year. The performance will probably be much worse than in the
case of the walking beam furnace. Due to the very high temperatures of the flue gas (75 %
above 520°C) an experimental type of catalyst has to be used. This type only functions properly
within a temperature range of 300 - 520°C. At temperatures above 520° no ammonia can be
injected any more because of potential damage to the catalyst. Unless the high temperatures are
dealt with (i.e. technical solutions for this problem are found or additional measures are taken),
it is estimated that the overall reduction of NOx will not be more than 30 %. [EUROFER 31.3]
Some doubts were expressed regarding the technical feasibility of SCR which may limit the
applicability to reheating furnaces:
· Some practical problems are likely to be encountered in application of SCR on steel
reheating/heat treatment furnaces as production rate (and therefore thermal input) and
temperature profiles are not steady state. To avoid either excessive NH3 slip or excess NOx
in the stack, the ammonia injection rate would need to be controlled to match rapidly
changing exhaust flow rates and NOx concentrations. [ETSU-GIR-45].
· SCR technology requires certain limits of temperature and volume flow, which might not be
achieved by some plants [DK 30.6].
· The required flue gas temperature suitable for SCR may not be readily available. If the
temperatures are too high, dilution air could be used, although furnace draughting may then
not be acceptable. [ETSU-GIR-45].
· In the case of regenerative burners, the efficiency of flue gas heat recovery would be
affected, unless the SCR could be incorporated midway in a regenerator bed (e.g. the bed
would need to be split). [ETSU-GIR-45].
· Many plants recover the waste heat of the exhaust gases for reasons of energy efficiency.
The resulting temperature of the waste gas is in the range 150 – 210 °C and needs to be
reheated for the SCR catalyst to work properly. Consequently, additional energy input
would be necessary [EUROFER 2.7].
· As there is only very limited experience with the application of SCR at reheating furnaces
(only one plant and only for walking beam furnaces), it not verified whether the technique
will work under all temperature conditions and air ratios, [EUROFER 30.6].
· With higher dust concentrations in the waste gas (e.g. if fuel oil is used as energy source)
de-dusting measures would be required to protect the catalyst [EUROFER 2.7].
· In integrated steel plants, plant gases (blast furnace top gas, BOF converter gas or coke
oven gas) are used as fuel. They contain usually only negligible traces of zinc or other
metals, but these could still contaminate the surface of the catalyst and gradually reduce its
efficiency and lifetime [EUROFER 2.7].

Part A/Chapter 4
· A problem which can arise is the formation of acidic ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO4 or
bisulphate (NH4) HSO4 particles by the reaction of excess ammonia carried over from the
SCR reactor with SO2 and SO3 in the cooler flue gases downstream. Deposition of these
particles can cause fouling, erosion and corrosion of downstream equipment surfaces. The
formation of ammonium sulphate is minimized by use of slightly sub-stoichiometric
amounts of NH3 (0.9 – 1.0 mole per mole of NOx) to suppress carry over. [HMIP-95-003],
[ETSU-GIR-45].
Economics: NLG 4.20 per kg NOx reduced [EUROFER 3.4]

Reference literature: [HMIP-95-003], [ETSU-GIR-45], [EUROFER 31.3]
A.4.1.3.9 Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR)
Description:
The general description of SNCR is given in Chapter D.2.5

Applicability:
· Use of ammonia gas (transport and storage can be hazardous and subject to stringent safety
regulations).
· Risk of air pollution due to ammonia slip.
Reference plants:
Avesta Sheffield, walking beam furnaces
Operational data:
Example Avesta Sheffield:

At the hot strip mill for rolling stainless steel slabs to strip, there are two reheating furnaces
(walking beam furnaces), each with a capacity of 100 t/h and using propane/butane gas as fuel.
Furnace A, supplied by Stein Heurty, became operative operation in 1992, and furnace B,
supplied by Italimpianti, in 1996.
Because this is the plant’s largest point source of NOx, action has been taken to reduce these
emissions through the introduction of an SNCR installation. The installation comprises mainly a
storage tank for ammonia (25 % water solution), pumps, pipes, injection lances, and a
computerised measurement and control system, where ammonia is added to the exhaust gas of
each furnace on the basis of continuous NOx measurement.
The installation was put into in continuous operation in October 1999 and was regulated during
the autumn. Measurements in January 2000 gave the following results (NOx measured as NO2):
NOx content (mg/MJ fuel) Reduction (%) NOx [mg/Nm3]

Furnace A 74 70 205
Furnace B 62 30 172 (ammonia slip 5 mg/Nm3)
The measurement results are averages of continuous measurements made during 32 hours at
Furnace A and 42 hours at Furnace B. They are considered normal and expected to remain at
these levels in continuous operations.

Part A/Chapter 4
The reason why the reduction is lower at Furnace B is that the nitrogen oxide content without
ammonia is lower than in Furnace A.
The following cost information was given to the Swedish Environment Court in December 1999
in a report on the possibilities of reducing the emissions of nitrogen oxides from these furnaces:
The capital investment (including installation and running-in costs as well as the cost of all
equipment): SEK 6.3 m (EUR 0.76 m)2
Operating costs (mainly ammonia and maintenance): SEK 1.4 m per year (EUR 0.169 m per
year)
Total capital and operating costs: SEK 3.3 m per year (EUR 0.40 m per year)
With the NOx reduction mentioned above, the emissions of nitrogen oxides can be reduced by
60 tonnes per year, corresponding to a specific cost of SEK 55 (EUR 6.63) per kg NOx reduced
(measured as NO2). [EUROFER 17.4]
Other sources report efficiency of NOx removal by SNCR of typically 50 – 60 % with 20- 30
ppm NH3 slip [ETSU-GIR-45], but even higher reductions of up to 85 % are reported in
connection with ammonia injection on a natural gas-fired regenerative burner. Others reported
on the use of ammonia and urea injected into the flue of a burner (operating at 900 ºC air
preheat) burning a mixture of blast furnace and coke oven gases. For both reagents, the
maximum reduction was of the order of 80 %. These data derive from test furnaces not
exceeding 600 kWth, which in this case was a 1/3 scale version of a soaking pit furnace.
[HMIP-95-003]
Some doubts were expressed regarding the technical feasibility of SNCR which may limit the
applicability to reheating furnaces. Problems in applying SNCR to reheating furnaces due to
large variations in process conditions (waste gas temperature, volume flow etc.) and or non-
availability of a suitable temperature window are probably the same as for the application of
SCR (see above):
· The temperature window for SNCR is about 850 – 1100 ºC (depending on the reagent). For
those regenerative systems which have furnace temperatures well in excess of 1000 ºC, the
appropriate SNCR temperature range is liable to be found within the regenerator bed, which
may militate against the use of the method. Control systems would be complicated if there
were a need to 'follow' a temperature window which can change its location within the
furnace/burner as thermal inputs and production rates are altered. [HMIP-95-003],
[EUROFER HR]
· A potential drawback of the SNCR technique is the formation of ammonium sulphate by the
carry over of excess NH3. The use of clean gaseous fuels such as natural gas in conjunction
with SNCR should avoid the reported problems of adhesive and corrosive compounds that
can otherwise occur. This may not be the case with sulphur-containing steelwork gases.
[HMIP-95-003]
Economics: The economic data of the Swedish plants shows that the cost of 6.63 euro per kg of
NOx reduced gives rise to additional costs of 0.33 euro in the manufacture of 1 tonne of rolled
steel. Based on a price of about 400 euro per tonne of hot wide strip, the relative expenditure
comes to 0.08 %. Annual production of the two plants was estimated to be 1.2 million tonnes of
rolled steel. [Germany 7.4]
2
The costs in EUR were calculated using an exchange rate of EUR 0.12 for 1 SEK.

Part A/Chapter 4

The SNCR units were fitted as a result of local regulatory issues. The site has a total annual
mass emission limit for NOx and there was a desire to increase production. The increased
throughput could not be realised unless some emission reductions were achieved and the SNCR
installation was then found to be the best solution.
Reference literature: [HMIP-95-003], [ETSU-GIR-45], [EUROFER 17.4]
A.4.1.3.10 External Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR)

Applicability:
· New and existing furnaces.

· In practice, for retrofitting, there may be physical difficulties in installing ductwork and
problems of accessibility.
· Potentially difficult to control in cases where composition and hence waste gas volumes are
variable (e.g. on integrated sites where mixed plant gases are used).
· Potential increase in fuel consumption (as long as waste gas flow and temperature are not
affected by FGR, combustion efficiency and fuel consumption will remain the same, but
this implies an increase in air-preheat temperature).
Reference plants:
Operational data:
For a COG fired steel slab reheater with a capacity of at least 140 t/h NOx reductions of 51.4 %,
69.4 % and 79.8 % (from a base level of 657 mg/m3) for 10 %, 20 %, and 30 % FGR
respectively, are reported. [ETSU-GIR-45]
Data given for increases in fuel consumption (and hence for CO2 emission) for different burner
designs range from 1.1 to 9.9 % (FGR ranging from 10 – 50 %). [ETSU-GIR-45]
Economics:
A.4.1.3.11 Waste Heat Boiler
Description:
A waste heat boiler can be installed between furnace exit and chimney (decreasing the
effectiveness of a recuperating system) or between the recuperator and the stack. In the waste
heat boiler, the heat content of the waste gas is used to generate steam. The waste gas
temperature after the waste heat boiler is lowered to about 200 °C. The generation of steam by
this method at this point saves generating this energy elsewhere (e.g. in the power plant or
heating station). As a result, considerable energy and emission reductions can be achieved.

Part A/Chapter 4
The steam generated can be used within the rolling mill for heating systems or outside the
rolling mill to produce electrical energy in the power plants and for municipal long-distance
heating systems. [EUROFER HR]
To saturated steam net To overheated

Steam drum steam net
Economiser
Evaporiser
Waste heat
boiler
Overheater
Make up water
Flue gas from Furnace
Figure A.4-3: Schematic of waste heat boiler

[EUROFER HR]

· Efficient energy use.
· Saves resources, as no fuel is consumed at other stages for producing the steam and
emissions are reduced.
Applicability:
· New plants.
· Existing plants, provided required space is available.
Reference plants:
Voest Alpine (2 boilers), Svenskt Stål AB
Example Voest:
Steam temperature: 320 oC
Steam pressure: 18 bar
Waste gas temperature behind water heat boiler: 200 oC
Energy recovery: 0.17 GJ/t (12 % of fuel consumption)
Investment costs: 4.5 M Euro/ heat boiler (65t/h)

Part A/Chapter 4
Reduction 1 [%] Investment cost [M ECU]

Waste heat boiler 15 15 4.0 4.0
1
Waste heat boilers have a negligible effect when combined with recuperators or with regenerative systems
2
The energy reduction in terms of percentage has an equal effect on the reduction in SO2, CO- and CO2 emissions
Table A.4-8: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for waste heat boilers
Installation of a waste heat boiler is only sensible when there is a special requirement for steam,
i.e. some users. Only a marginal effect can be expected from the installation of a waste heat
boiler when it is combined with effective recovery of the waste heat by the use of recuperators
or of a regenerative system and with the proper furnace design. [EUROFER HR]
Driving force for implementation: - reduced energy consumption, monetary advantage.

A.4.1.3.12 Optimised Skid Design to Reduce Skid Marks
Description:
SMC - Skid Mark Compensation Device
The slabs heated in the pusher-type furnace lean on water-cooled supporting pipes which
cause local undercooling (skid marks) on the bottom side of the slabs and must be compensated
for during the residence time in the soaking hearth to avoid thickness variations of the finished
product.
The soaking time can be reduced if the skid marks are reheated by application of suitable
methods, e.g. local inductive heating (skid mark compensation device). Losses due to the
cooling system and the hearth wall are almost constant over time, regardless of whether the
furnace is operated under full load or partial load.
Main achieved environmental benefits: The reduction of the residence time on the hearth and,
consequently, of the throughput time, results in energy savings. But it was also reported that
SMC requires high energy input for inductive heating. [Com2 HR]
Furnace Skid Riders

An additional measure to reduce the formation of skid marks is the use of so-called skid riders.
These are fixtures for the water-cooled furnace rails made from special material (metal alloy or
ceramics), which reduce temperature dissipation.
Main achieved environmental benefits: - As in SMC, a reduction of the temperature

compensation, combined with an increased throughput and reduced energy consumption, is
possible.
Skid Shifting
In modern walking beam furnaces, the material supporting skids are not straight all along the
furnace. Mainly the last section of skids, near the furnace exit side, is shifted with an offset
designed to distribute and therefore to decrease the skidmarks.
Main achieved environmental benefits: - Quality is enhanced and waste output reduced.
Applicability:
· Furnace skid riders and skid shifting: only applicable to new installations as they have to be
considered at design stage.
· Skid mark compensation device: new and existing installations.

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Reported reduction for skid shifting, skidmark compensation or furnace skid riders was 1 % for
energy consumption and 1 % NOx emission. [EUROFER HR]
Economics:
A.4.1.3.13 Reduction of Energy Loss through Stock Transportation

Device
Description:
In re-heating furnaces water cooling is used to protect some components and maintain their
physical strength; examples include doors, lintels and the stock transport mechanism or support
system. Water-cooled components represent a significant source of energy loss. In particular,
the loss through stock transport systems in continuous (walking beam) furnaces, can account for
6 to 12 % of the fuel input under typical operating conditions. Close to the end of a furnace
operating campaign, when insulation of the cooled components begins to degrade, the loss can
be as high as 20 to 25 %. [ETSU-G76], [Com2 HR]
Losses from stock supporting structures can be minimized at the design stage by
optimizing/reducing the number of cooled beams and supports and by using suitable
insulation. [ETSU-G76]

· Reduction in water cooling losses of 26.7 GJ/h (equivalent to a fuel saving of 44.5 GJ/h)
were reported [ETSU-G76].
Applicability:
· New furnaces and existing furnaces.
· For existing furnaces, optimisation can be done during refractory maintenance [Com2 HR].
· 46 % reduction in water use [ETSU-G76].
· Reduced energy consumption of pusher mechanism [ETSU-G76].
· Reduced skid marks, improved quality [ETSU-G76].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.3.14 Evaporative Furnace Skid Cooling
Description:
Skid cooling energy losses can be used to generate steam. A closed, forced cooling circuit,
which circulates a mixture of approx. 95 % water and 5 % saturated steam can be installed in re-

Part A/Chapter 4
heating furnaces. Steam produced by cooling the supporting beams (skids) of rolling stock is
extracted from the circuit and fed to other consumers for further use. [EUROFER HR]
Steam produced
Water steam circulation Steam drum

Water supply
Recirculation
Pump
Furnace
Furnace skid system
Figure A.4-4: Typical schematic of evaporative furnace skid cooling

[EUROFER HR]

· Efficient energy use, saves resources as no fuel is consumed at other stages for producing
the steam, emissions are reduced.
Applicability:
· New and existing installations.
· Only sensible when there is a specific requirement for steam. [ETSU-G76].
Reference plants: Svenskt Stål AB, EKO Stahl
Example EKO Stahl [Input-HR-1]

- average working pressure in the boiler: 23 bar
- average temperature of cooling water: 222 oC (at 23 bar)
- possible steam production for the turbine: 10 – 41 t/h (depending on the situation of
the refractory material and the working
conditions of the furnace)
- generator capacity: 4.16 MW
- steam production (cold charging): Ø 18 t/h
- steam production (hot charging): Ø 22 t/h
- recovered energy: n.a.
Reported general reduction potentials and cost data are given in the following table.
Reduction1 [%] Investment cost [M ECU]

Evaporative furnace skid cooling 7 7 4.0 4.0
1
Evaporative furnace skid cooling has a negligible effect when combined with recuperators or with regenerative
systems
2
The energy reduction in terms of percentage has an equal effect on the reduction in SO2, CO and CO2 emissions
Table A.4-9: Typically achievable reductions and cost data for evaporative furnace skid cooling

Part A/Chapter 4
Only a marginal effect can be expected from evaporative furnace skid cooling when it is
combined with good insulation of the skids.

A.4.1.3.15 Feedstock Preheating
Description:
The heat in the waste gas of heating furnaces can be used to preheat the feedstock by blowing
the hot waste gas from top and bottom onto the slab. Even after regenerative burners and a
waste heat boiler, the waste gas can have enough energy to heat the slabs up to 400 °C. Figure
A.4-5 shows the example of a slab preheater installed upstream of a pusher-type heating
furnace.
Figure A.4-5: Principle of slab preheating by waste gas

[StuE-113-10]

· Reduced energy consumption in the heating furnace (20 %).
Applicability:
· New and existing continuous reheating furnaces (for cases where stock recuperation is not
already incorporated in the furnace).
Reference plants: Preussag Stahl, Salzgitter

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Example:
The preheater shown in Figure A.4-5 is installed up-stream of 2 pusher-type furnaces. The
furnaces have capacities of 300 t/h and are fired by regenerative burners. The heat from the
waste gas of the furnace is first used for heat recovery in a waste heat boiler. After that it still
has a temperature of 500 – 600 °C and is used in the preheater to heat the slabs to up to 400 °C.
The waste gas leaving the preheater still has a temperature of 300 °C and is used to preheat the
combustion air for the regenerative burners of the heating furnace to about 150 °C (by means of
a oil heat exchangers). The waste gas is discharged at a temperature of 200 °C. [StuE-113-10]
As an alternative to preheaters, the heat of waste gas can be used in very long walking beam
furnaces in the un-fired long preheating zone. [StuE-113-10]
Economics:
A.4.1.3.16 Heat Conservation Box / Thermal Covers
Description:
Hot boxes or insulated chambers are used to promote heat retention in the steel and to provide a
link between the source of hot stock and the furnace. Semi-finished products, which cannot be
charged immediately (because of programme co-ordination and for bridging gaps caused by
interruptions) are stored in this unheated, heat-insulated box instead of being stored in open
stockyards. Heat losses of the slabs are reduced and the charge temperature is maintained at a
high level. On average, the storing time for slabs is 8 hours. The temperature of insulated stored
slab is approximately 220 °C higher than that of open stored slabs. [EUROFER HR], [ETSU-
G76].
Another method for reducing the furnace operating temperature and preventing heat loss
between the furnace and the rolling mill is insulated shields (heat retaining covers) installed
between the furnace discharge and the rolling stands. Heat losses during transport from the
casting machine to the re-heating furnace can be prevented by the same kind of measures.
[DFIU98], [ETSU-G76]

· Reduced energy consumption in re-heating.
· Thermal covers for the transport of slabs between a continuous caster and a re-heating
furnace can save about 0.33GJ/t [DFIU98].
Applicability:
· All continuous casting plants with adjacent rolling mill [Com A].
· same limitations may apply as for hot charging [Input-HR-1].
Reference plants:
· VA Stahl Linz, (max. 5000 t), Austria [Input-HR-1].
· HADEED, Saudi Arabia [Com A].
· Stahlwerke Bremen [STuE-117-5].

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Example
An investigation on potential measures to increase the charging temperature of continuous cast
slabs to a heating furnace was done at Stahlwerke Bremen using numerical modelling. The
results based on computer simulation and measurements for that installation showed that the
core temperature of slab immediately after casting was about 950 °C. On the way to the
stockyard of the hot rolling mill the slabs cooled down by 200 ° to 750 °C: during the storage
time of 24 h the temperature of the slabs dropped further, leaving a remaining charging
temperature to the heating furnace of about 350 °C. By optimizing the synchronisation of the
continuous caster and the rolling schedule, the storage time could be reduced to a third.
Additionally, the slabs were covered with thermal covers with a 50 mm mineral wool lining. It
was proven that during an 8 hour storage, starting from 750 °C, a charging temperature of
700 °C could be maintained. Compared to the old charging practice (350 °C) this represented an
additional energy input to the furnace of 0.26 GJ/t resulting half from the shorter storage time
and half from the thermal insulation. [StuE-117-5]
Figure A.4-6: Modified storage to increase charge temperature

[StuE-117-5]
Economics:
Return on investment in 1 year at VA Stahl Linz [ComA].
Investment costs 2 M Euro, Voest [Input-HR-1].

· Increased furnace- and rolling mill capacity.
· Increased hot charging rate in connection with CAQC. [Com A].
Ideas and Concepts for Hot or Direct Charging, Paper No. 50, 7th International Continuous
Casting Conference, May 20 – 22, 1996 [Com A].

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.3.17 Hot Charging / Direct Rolling
Description:
Contrary to the conventional process (storage and cooling of the material), the residual heat
from the continuous-cast slabs, blooms, beam blanks or billets is utilized by charging them
directly (with their residual heat content) into the heating furnaces. Hot charging refers to
charging temperatures of 300 to 600 oC; direct rolling to charging temperatures of 900 to
1000oC. These technique, can only be applied if the surface quality is good enough so that
cooling and scarfing is not required and if the manufacturing programs of the steel making plant
and the hot rolling mill can be adequately tuned. Control computers are used to co-ordinate the
production of both departments according to customers' orders and to prepare the rolling
schedules.
Figure A.4-7 presents a possible material flow in a plant allowing both cold charging and warm
or hot charging. An optimised production planning and control system to synchronise the
production schedules of a steelworks and a rolling mill can achieve a hot charging share of over
60 % at about 800°C. A soaking furnace placed before the rolling mill may be required.
8 9
12
Material flow with hot and cold charging
13
1. Flame-cutting machine
2. Roller table
6 6 3. Cross transport
4. Distributing roller table
5 Cold charging Hot charging
10. Ingot pusher 5. Bloom transfer

11
11. Bearing grid
12. Cold stock
10 4 6. Roller table
13. Feeding grid
6. Roller table
3
7. Walking beam furnace
8. Bloom transfer
9. Roughing stand
2
1
Figure A.4-7: Material flow: cold versus hot charging

[DFIU98]

· Reduction in energy consumption (fuel savings).
· Reduction in SO2, CO and CO2 emissions.
Applicability:
· Application may be limited at some existing plants because of plant layout and operational
logistics. Important technological parameters are mill type and configuration, proximity of
the caster to furnace and rolling mill (time required for the transfer of the stock from the
steel plant to the reheating furnace) as well as steel specifications. Sometimes application to
furnaces with unfired preheating zones is not possible. The implementation of hot charging

Part A/Chapter 4
or direct rolling depends furthermore on the installation of equipment to allow a higher

furnace throughput, temperature normalisation (e.g. edge heaters), schedule free rolling,
potential to aligne the production schedule of the steel plant (caster) and the production
schedule of the rolling mill, high quality slabs (surface quality) etc. [DFIU98], [ETSU-
G77].
· Reduced stock residence time in the furnace.
· Higher production rates (e.g. 10 - 25 %).
· Improved yields and product quality due to reduced scaling and decarburisation.
· Waste reduction in following processes, e.g. descaling.
· Temperature of exhaust gas may increase [ETSU-G77].
Reference plants:
EKO Stahl, [Input-HR-1]
Rotherham Engineering Steels, [ETSU-CS-263]
Stahlwerke Thueringen [StuE-118-2]
Operational data:
Table A.4-10 illustrates the influence of hot charging on energy consumption and production
time for hot charging. In the examples shown, production potential was increased by 10 % for a
hot charging temperature of 400 °C and by 25 % for a charging temperature of 700 °C.
Charging Temperature
20 oC 400 oC 700 oC
Specific energy 1.55 GJ/t 1.25 GJ/t 0.94 GJ/t
consumption (fuel)
Percentage Reduction 0% 19 % 39 %
Heat to steel 0.80 GJ/t 0.56 GJ/t 0.37 GJ/t
Residence time in 100 min 90 min 75 min
furnace1
1
Example based on: billets, mild steel, top-fired pusher furnace, discharge temperature 1200 oC
Table A.4-10: Effect of hot charging on fuel consumption and residence time
[ETSU-G77]
Examples
EKO Stahl hot charging of slabs [Input-HR-1]
- percentage of hot charging: 4.63 – 31.65 %, Ø in 1998 14.64 %
- average charging temperature of slabs: 700 – 900 oC
- fuel consumption (natural gas): 17 Nm3/t
- energy saving: 0.6 GJ/t
Rotherham Engineering Steels hot charging of blooms [ETSU-CS-263]

- percentage of hot charging: 66.4 %
- charging temperature of blooms: ~ 700 oC
- specific energy consumption (SEC): 1.1 GJ/t during productive periods
1.23 GJ/t including light-up energy
energy saving: ~ 0.67 GJ/t (compared with a
walking-beam type furnace with similar structural
energy loss, efficiency of 67 % and SEC 1.9 GJ/t)
Stahlwerke Thueringen hot charging beam blanks [StuE-118-2]

- percentage of hot charging: > 60 %

Part A/Chapter 4
British Steel, Scunthorpe hot charging concast blooms [Input-HR-1]

- charging temperature of blooms: ambient up to concast exit temperature ~ 1300 oC
- energy savings of about 33 %
- specific energy consumption (SEC): 1.35 GJ/t (2.1 GJ/t without hot charging)
Energy savings for hot charging at 300 °C of 15 % were reported in [EUROFER HR].
Imatra Steel, Imatra Hot charging of blooms
- engineering steel grades, billets / heavy bars 74 / 26 %

- percentage of charging via hot route 91 – 93 %
- direct hot charging 700 – 900 °C
- charging via hot buffer (natural gas fired) 700 °C
- soaking temperature 1250 - 1290 °C
- specific energy consumption 0.87 GJ/t (average for production 1998 (98 %
natural gas + 2 % electricity) including hot buffer, cold charging, weekends
and light-up energy).
Hot buffer is used:

- to eliminate effects of short stoppages in rolling mill
- to balance the production speed difference when rolling bars (the casting
speed cannot be lowered to match the speed of the old rolling mill)
- for slow preheating of cold blooms at weekends.
Economics:
Type of investment Investment cost

New facilities Existing facilities
(M ECU) (M ECU)
Hot charging (at 300 °C) 1.5 2.0
Notes: Source of data [EUROFER HR]. Basis is a furnace with a yearly capacity of 1.5 Mt fired with natural gas with standard
burners and without air preheat. Investment costs can be site specific (available room, layout of the existing furnace, number
of side and bottom burners)
Table A.4-11: Investment costs for for hot charging

[EUROFER HR]
Driving force for implementation: - reduced energy consumption.

A.4.1.3.18 Near Net Shape Casting / Thin Slab Casting
Description:
'Near net shape casting' or thin slab casting comprises an improved continuous casting
technology in which the thickness of the produced slab is reduced as far as possible to the
required end-product shape.
The technical solutions available differ mainly in the thickness of the slabs, ranging from 15 up
to 80 mm (conventional thickness ranges 150 - 300 mm), in the reheat technique and the linkage
between caster and hot rolling mill. Available thin slab casting techniques include:
· Compact Strip Production (CSP): using funnel type moulds with a casting thickness of
approx. 50 mm.

Part A/Chapter 4
· Inline Strip Production (ISP): the cast strand of about 60 mm thickness undergoes a soft
reduction (on liquid core) with rolls below the mould, followed by a shaping of the
solidified strand creating slab thickness of about 15 mm.
· Continuous Thin Slab Casting and Rolling (CONROLL): using straight parallel moulds
with casting thickness of 70 - 80 mm.
· Direct Strip Production (DSP): 90 mm caster mould and soft-reduction to 70 mm.
The casting machines may be linked to all main configurations of hot rolling finishing mills,
e.g. finishing train, planetary mills, Steckel mills etc.
Figure A.4-8 and Figure A.4-9 show as examples the schematics of the CSP and the ISP
process.
Furnaces of different design – chieving uniforme incoming slab temperature - are the linkages
between the caster and the hot rolling mill. Depending on the type of thin slab production plant,
tunnel furnaces or 'cremona boxes' are used. The main target of these facilities is to equalise and
homogenise the temperature of the continuous cast slabs of different cross sections and length
of around 50 m up to 300 m nowadays [Com2 HR] and to regulate the feed to the finishing
rolling mill. Dependent on the casting strands, 1 or 2 furnaces are installed, connected by a
shuttle device.
Firing of continuous furnaces and combustion systems is in general comparable with the
common systems of reheat furnaces.
Ladle
Tundish
Mould
Cooling line
Soaking furnace
Rolling mill Coiler
CSP.ds4
Figure A.4-8: Schematic of the CSP process

[DFIU98]

Part A/Chapter 4
Ladle
Tundish
Mould Coilbox
Rolling mill Cooling line
Furnace Coiler
HRM (hot reduction

mill)
ISP.ds4
Figure A.4-9: Schematic of the ISP process

[DFIU-99]

Applicability:
· Applicable for new plants.
· For the production of low carbon steel, higher strength unalloyed and micro-alloyed
structural steel and C-steel > 0.22 % [STuE-118-5].
· For production of high quality stainless steel (austenitic, gradres, ferritic grades as well as
martensitic grades (BHM, 142Jg. 1997, Heft 5, 210 – 214)) [Com A].

Reference plants:

Part A/Chapter 4
Slab dimensions Capacity Rolled Thickness Start Date

[mm] [Mt/a] [mm]
Compact Strip Production
Nucor 50 x 900 - 1350 0.8 1.6 7/89
Crawfordsville, USA 50 x.500 - 1350 1 1.6 4/94
Nucor 50(75) x 1220 - 1560 1 1.5 8/92
Hickman, USA 50(75) x 1220 - 1560 1 1.5 5/94
Nucor, Berkeley County, USA 50 x 1680 1.5 1.2 3/97
Geneva Steel 150-250 x 3200 max 1.9 plate 7/94 - 95
Provo, USA or 50 x 1880 max
AST, Terni, Italy 50 x 1000 - 1560 - - 12/92
Hylba SA, Monterrey, Mexico 50 x 790 - 1350 0.75 1.2 11/94
Hanbo Steel 50 x 900 - 1560 1 1.5 6/95
Asan Bay, Korea 50 x 900 - 1560 1 1.5 12/95
Gailatin Steel, Warsaw, USA 50 x 1000 - 1560 1 2.1 2/95
Steel Dynamics, Butler, USA 40-70 x 990 - 1560 1.2 1.2 1/96
Nippon Denro lspal 50 x 900 - 1560 1.2 1.2 8/96
Calcutta, India
Amalgamated Steel Mills 50 x 900 - 1560 2 1.2 10/96
Malaysia
Ac. Compacta Bizkaya 53 x 790 - 1560 0.91 1.3 7/96
Bilbao, Spain
Acme Metals 50 x 900 - 1560 0.9/1.8 1.25 10/96
Riverdale, USA
Inine Strip Production
Arvedi ISP Works 60* x 1070 - 1250 0.5 1.2 1/92
*
Cremona, Italy (red. to 40 during
solidification)
Posco, Kwangyang, Korea 75* x 900 - 1350 1 1.0 1996
*
(red. to 60 during 0.8 1.0 1996
solidification)
Nusantara Steel Corp ?
Malaysia
Saldanha, South Africa (1.4)1 ?
Ipsco, USA (1)1 ?
Pohang Iron and Steel (2)1
South Korea
Hoogovens Staal 2 70 – 90 x ?? (1.3) 1 – 2.5
Ijmuiden, NL
CONROLL
Avesta, Sweden 80-200 x 660–2100 - - 12/88
Armco, Mansfield, USA 75-125 x 635-1283 0.7/1.1 1.7 4/95
Voest Alpine, Linz, Austria ?
Direct Strip Production
Algoma, CAN3 90* x 200 1 11/97
*
(red. to 60 during
solidification)
Note: Source of data [Jahrbuch Stahl 1996], reference year of information 1995
1
Source [StuE-116-11], ordered plants, reference year of information 1996
2
Source [Steel News, march 1998]
3
Source [algoma.com]
Table A.4-12: Thin slab casting plants (by July 1995)

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
The production of 1 to 3 mm thick strip by conventional slab casting - with a charging
temperature for the furnace of 20 ºC and discharge at 1200 oC - requires a specific energy of
1.67 GJ/t. A thin slab casting line - with a charging temperature for the furnace of 960 ºC and
discharge at 1150 oC - has a specific energy consumption of 0.50 GJ/t.
Grades cast by thin slab casting (commercial production):

- Plain carbon steels outside peritedic range (CSP).
(0.065 - 0.15 %C) (CSP).
- High alloyed and stainless (CSP).
- Unalloyed structural steels (ISP).
- Alloyed structural steels (ISP).
- Line pipe steels (HSLA) (ISP).
- Oil field pipe steels (ISP).
- High alloyed austenitic and ferritic steels (ISP)
- Stainless steels CONROLL [Near-Net-Shape].
- Low and ultra-low carbon steel (CSP) [StuE-118-5], [AC-Kolloq].
- C-steel grades with > 0.22 %.
- High strength (micro- and unalloyed) structural steel.
- Deep steel drawing grades.
- Microalloyed Nb steels.
- Cu alloyed structural steels [Near-Net-Shape].
Conventional production route Thin slab production route

Typical Consumption Typical Consumption
Electrical energy 1 72 - 115 kWh/t
(deformation energy) approx. 70 kWh/t (deformation only)
average 94 kWh/t (reported by approx. 77 kWh/t (incl. Coil box)
members of shadow group)
Reheating energy
(fuel consumption) 2 approx. 1300 - 1900 MJ/t approx. 300 - 650 MJ/t
Note: source of data [EUROFER HR]

1
Depends on the degree of deformation; temp. of intermediate strip; material hardness
2
fuel consumption depends on the furnace design and thickness of ingoing slab
Table A.4-13: Comparison of consumption figures for conventional and thin slab production route
Economics:
Thin slab casting technique effectively opened the flat rolled market to mini mills, which up to
that time had been bound more or less to the production of long products. Implementation of
this technology shrinks the size of the caster and eliminates the roughing mill, resulting in
capital cost saving. Hot band, in the non-critical surface segment, can now be economically
produced with capacities of 0.8 - 1.0 Mt/year (with one-strand casters).

- Due to reduction in energy consumption and processing time, economic/monetary advantage.

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.3.19 Near Net Shape Casting/ Beam Blank Casting
Description:
Another – more common - form of 'near net shape casting' is applied in the field of long product
rolling of structural steel. Instead of the traditional bloom with a rectangular or square cross
section the continuous caster produces an H, I or double T shaped beam blank.

· Reduced energy input in reheating and rolling.
Applicability:
· New plants or existing plants in case of a major revamp.
Reference plants:
Northwestern Steel & Wire, USA [StuE-114-8]
Chaparral Steel, USA [StuE-114-8]
Kawasaki Steel, Nucor-Yamato, Yamato Steel Tung Ho Steel [StuE-114-9]
Stahlwerke Thueringen [StuE-118-2]
Operational data:
Economics:
· Increased yield in the continuous caster due to reduced material to be cropped.
· Increased specific heat transfer in the reheating furnace.
· Reduced time in the rolling process, increase in productivity [Com HR].
A.4.1.4 Descaling
A.4.1.4.1 Material Tracking
Description:
Automation of the respective train areas and peripheral sensors allow exact determination of the
entry into and the delivery of the materials from the descaling equipment and allow the operator
to open the valves of the pressure-water pipes accordingly. As a result, the water volume can be
continuously adjusted to the requirement.

· Reduced water consumption.
Applicability:
· Roughing, finishing and plate mills.
· New and existing hot rolling mills for flat products.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.4.2 Use of High-pressure Storage Equipment
Description:
Appropriately sized high-pressure storage vessels are used to temporarily store the high-
pressure water and to reduce the starting phase of the high-powered pumps. In addition, it is
possible to keep the pressure at a constant level when several simultaneous descaling processes
are performed. This method helps to keep the energy consumption within reasonable limits and,
in the case of several descaling processes at the same time, helps to ensure optimum cleaning
and high-quality products due to the constant system pressure.

Applicability:
· Roughing, finishing and plate mills’ descaling systems.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.5 Edging
Sizing Press
Description:
In conventional vertical rolling, width reduction is limited to the slab edges with only little
effect on the centre part of the slabs. Material thickness increases at the edges, forming dog-
bone shaped cross sections. In the following horizontal rolling a significant return in width -
side spreading - takes place, resulting in low width reduction efficiency.
In-line size presses, due to the forging effect on the slab, increase also the material thickness in
the middle of the slab. The shape of the cross section is nearly rectangular and side spreading
during horizontal rolling passes is reduced.
With the introduction of a sizing press prior to the rougher the width intervals of the caster and
the number of wedge type slabs are reduced. Caster productivity and hot charging rate may
therefore be increased. [EUROFER HR]

· Reduced trimming and cropping scrap.
Applicability:
· Roughing and plate mills.
· New hot rolling mills for flat products.
· With limitations for existing mills.
Reference plants: Sollac Fos, Thyssen Bruckhausen

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Economics:
Driving force for implementation: - Improved yield.
A.4.1.5.1 Automatic Width Control Comprising Short Stroke Control
Description:
In conventional edging the width of the slab is reduced independently of the actual width and
temperature of the material, therefore generating width variations along the transfer bar,
especially under high width reductions. With the aid of an AWC system the edging process is
performed via computer models. For the strip ends (head and tail) the edging values are reduced
across a defined length and thus the formation of so-called tongues at the strip head and/or fish
tails occurring in conventional rolling are avoided.
a ) W ithout AW C - and sho rt stroke functio n

C onstant position
Bad shape
Skid marks D og bone
P osition control
Improved shape (re ctangularity)

Skid marks D og bone
b ) W ith AW C - and sho rt stro ke functio n
Figure A.4-10: AWC-operation

· Reduced trimming, head and tail scrap.
Applicability:
· Increased product quality, improved yield, therefore less material has to be recycled; energy
consumption and emissions are reduced.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.6 Roughing
A.4.1.6.1 Process Automation
Description:
The use of computers allows the adjustment of the thickness reduction per pass. In other words,
slabs and blooms are reduced to a rough strip by applying the lowest possible number of passes,
even in the case of short interruptions resulting in temperature losses of the material.

· Furnace discharge temperature can be decreased.
· Number of roll passes is optimised.
Applicability:
· Roughing and plate mills.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.7 Transport of Rolled Stock from Roughing Mill to Finishing Train
A.4.1.7.1 Coil Box
Description:
The intermediate product produced in the roughing train (transfer bar) is wound up to a coil
without a mandrel by means of appropriately arranged, electrically driven pinch/bending rolls
and cradle rolls. After completion of coiling, the coil is placed on an uncoiling device, decoiled,
and passed to the finishing stand. During the uncoiling process and finishing rolling the coiler is
free to receive the next rough strip. In this way, bottlenecks in the production flow can be
avoided.
This equipment has the advantage that the temperature distribution across the length of the
transfer bar remains constant and the loads during finishing rolling are reduced. On the other
hand, the additional energy requirement for the coiling operations must be considered. When
modernising existing mills, product range may be increased.
In the event of a cobble downstream, the coiled bar may be held for a longer period than would
otherwise be possible. For longer mill break-downs the coiled transfer bar might be stored in so
called heat recovery furnaces. Both measures thereby improve the yield.

Part A/Chapter 4
Figure A.4-11: Coil box arrangement

[EUROFER HR]

· Less rolling force required (temperature in stock is higher and more uniform).
Applicability:
· Run-out table of roughing mills.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
In some cases a coil box can limit the maximum mill production. [Com HR]
Economics:
A.4.1.7.2 Coil Recovery Furnace
Description:
Coil recovery furnaces were developed as an addition to coil box installations, so that in case of
longer rolling interruptions the coils could be restored to rolling temperature and returned to the
rolling sequence, which results in a yield improvement. Temperature losses are minimized and
even rolling breaks of up to 2 hours can be covered.
Heating and cooling temperature models determine the correct heating cycle for each coil,
taking into account the temperature profile of the coil at the start of heating. This profile is
determined from data from the mill computer on the temperature at the roughing pass, the
elapsed time before and after coiling, as well as bar size and grade. Coils saved using the
recovery furnace are rolled into prime hot band, providing they are rolled within 2h. Coils held
for longer periods are processed to ‘non-surface critical’ products. (The furnace can be built
with an inert gas system.)

Applicability:
· In combination with coil boxes at roughing stands.

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.7.3 Heat Shields on Transfer Tables
Description:
To minimize temperature loss in a bar while it is conveyed from rougher to finishing mill and to
decrease the temperature difference of head and tail end on entering the finishing train, the
transfer roller table can be equipped with heat shields. These are insulated covers applied to the
conveyor. For those sizes where the rolled products reach the limit of capacity of the rolling
train, this equipment achieves lower rolling loads.

· Reduced temperature loss.
Applicability:
· Transport roller table between roughing and finishing mills.
Reference plants:
Operational data: Heat shields on transfer tables involve high maintenance costs as the shields
are easily damaged by cobbles. [Com2 HR]
Economics:
Driving force for implementation: -Improved yield
A.4.1.7.4 Strip Edge Heating
Description:
In order to raise the temperature of the cooler strip edges to the overall temperature level and
achieve a constant temperature profile across the strip width, the transfer roller table is equipped
with additional gas or inductive heating devices.

· Reduced energy consumption in finishing rolling.
· Reduced wear occurring on the work rolls (less grinding sludge).
Applicability:
· Transport roller table between roughing and finishing mills.
· Energy used for edge heating.

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
Driving force for implementation: -Improved yield.
A.4.1.8 Rolling
A.4.1.8.1 Crop Optimisation System
Description:
By the use of CCD-cameras, combined with a width measurement subsequent to the roughing
train, the real crop shape of the ingoing rough strip is identified. An automatic system ensures
that the cutting action of the shears is limited to cut off materials outside of the rectangular area
of the transfer bar.
Shape measurement
Crop shear
cutting line
Figure A.4-12: Crop optimisation system

[EUROFER HR]

· Scrap (head and tail) reduction.
Applicability:
· At entry of finishing trains.
Reference plants: Sidmar
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.8.2 Work Roll Lubrication System
Description:
Rolling oils are supplied to the roll gap via nozzles in order to reduce the friction between
material and roll, to lower the drive power requirements, to decrease rolling forces and to
improve the surface quality of rolled material.

· Reduced energy consumption by reduced rolling load.
· Reduced roll wear (especially at the strip edge areas) resulting in a longer lifetime of work
rolls and reduction of grinding sludge.
Applicability:
· Finishing stands.
· Contamination of water system with rolling oils.
Reference plants: large number of plants.

Operational data:
Economics:
Driving force for implementation: - Higher mill productivity and increased pickling rate.
A.4.1.8.3 Forced Interstand Strip Cooling
Description:
To permit acceleration of the finishing train and still attain a constant finishing temperature,
forced interstand cooling of the strip by water sprays or water curtains is employed.

· The formation of scale and oxide fumes is suppressed.
· Decreased wear rate of the work rolls in succeeding stands and reduced grinding sludge.
Applicability:
· Between finishing stands.
· Generation of waste water.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.8.4 Interstand Strip Tension Control
Description:
Normally loopers are used for controlling strip tension between finishing stands. Various looper
designs (hydraulic, low inertia, and tension measuring devices) are available. Additionally, so-

Part A/Chapter 4
called looper-less techniques have been developed but their successful operation depends
largely on the measurement accuracy of processing parameters. Improved looper systems
combined with computer models for calculating the strip tension and appropriate electronics
controller facilitates the independent control of both tension and looper height. This mainly
avoids necking of the strip after threading and unstable operation.
Automatic systems for controlling the strip width when leaving the finishing mill train and/or
approaching the coilers (with feedback to the computer models of the finishing train) supports
the tension control system.

· Trimming scrap is reduced by avoiding ‘necking’ during threading and unstable operation.
Applicability:
· Finishing trains.
· New and existing hot rolling mills for flat products (part of mill automation systems).
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.8.5 Strip Profile and Flatness Control
Description:
The cross sectional profile and flatness of the hot band is of importance for subsequent
processing and is dependent on a number of operating conditions including the pass schedule
practice.
The principle purpose of strip profile and flatness control in rolling mills is to achieve the
desired strip profile without exceeding the required flatness tolerances. In application to hot
rolling mills, strip profile and flatness control systems are commonly designed to achieve the
following targets:
· Strip crown control range from approx. 0 - 75 mm.

· Strip crown tolerances.
· Strip flatness of approx. 10 I-Units (I-Unit: ∆L/L= 10-5 m).
· Reduction in edge drop.
To maintain good strip flatness in hot strip mills, there are only certain maximum changes in the
strip crown to thickness ratio that are possible in one rolling pass without introducing
undesirable disturbances to strip flatness, known as 'flatness deadband'. Different actuators are
developed for an objective selection of strip profile and flatness:
· Work roll and backup roll bending systems.

· Flexible body adjustable crown rolls.
· Flexible edge adjustable crown rolls.
· Roll crossing systems.
· Axially shifting systems with non cylindrical rolls.
· Axially shifted cylindrical rolls.
· Automatic gauge control.

Part A/Chapter 4
In hot strip mills each stand is usually equipped with a roll bending system that can be either
crown in, crown out or both. If that is not sufficient to reach the crown requirements the stands
can be equipped with additional actuators such as CVC-rolls, UPS-rolls, roll crossing systems
or others. A computer mill set up model, sometimes comprising neural networks, calculates the
required settings of profile and flatness actuators under consideration of thermal crown of the
roll body to obtain desired strip crown and flatness.
Downstream of the mill stands, profile measuring devices (sensors) are installed to monitor the
actual crown. The actual crown is compared to the target and the difference is used to produce
changes mainly in the roll bending forces. Flatness control loops lead to nearly constant
stripcrown-to-thickness ratio. Shapemeter devices are installed either at the end of the finishing
train or between mill stands to monitor the actual flatness. Detected flatness errors are again
used to adjust roll bending forces.

· Reduced scrap.
Applicability:
· Finishing and plate mills.
· New and existing hot rolling mills for flat products (part of automatic process control).
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.8.6 Work Roll Cooling
Description:
In the mill stands a wide variety of water spray nozzle types and spray header configurations are
used to cool the work rolls. This is important to avoid damage and cracks of the rolls (which
means less grinding operations and waste generation) and reduces the formation of scale.

· Reduced scale formation.
· Reduced roll wear and reduced grinding sludge.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.8.7 Finishing Train Automation - Process- and Basic Automation
Description:
High quality materials can be produced by using process computers supported by appropriate
control loops (basic automation - level I) for production planning and control of furnaces and
roughing mills. In the event of short rolling interruptions the implemented flexible software
models allow pass schedule changes up to the last moment (just before grabbing in the first
stand).

· Reduced scrap from short mill breakdowns.
Applicability:
· Finishing mill.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
Driving force for implementation: - Increased yield.
A.4.1.8.8 Reduction of Fugitive Emissions / Oxide Removal System
Description:
Oxide particles are released due to the rolling operation. The air borne particles are released as
fugitive emissions, mainly at the exit side of mill stands (where the speed of the mill stands is
the highest). They may be suppressed by water sprays or removed by exhaust systems
(suction hoods, dust hoods or suction lines).
Water sprays
With the spray water, the suppressed oxides are led to the roller table flumes and further to the
water treatment, where they are recovered in settling basins and filters.
Exhaust system
Another option is to install an exhaust system, where dust hoods are installed between the mill
stands (mainly behind the last 3 finishing stands) to collect the dust and oxides. Via suction
pipes at the mill drive side the oxide-dust mixture is drawn off and routed to pulse jet filters
(dry type, bag filter) or wet type filters. The separated dust and oxides are transported into
buckets via screw conveyors and are recycled in integrated steel plants.

· Fugitive emissions of particles are reduced.
Applicability:
· Finishing mills.
· Water sprays result in waste water, oxides have to be recovered from the waste water.
· Dry systems consume energy but, like exhaust/bag filters, have the advantage that they
avoid the need to recover the oxides from waste water and the collected dust can be
recycled internally. [Com2 HR].

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Water sprays WSM Avilés, Aceralia; Sidmar, Hoogovens
Exhaust System Voest Alpine
Particulate Emission Capacity Costs

[mg/m3] [Mt/a] EURO ‘000
a Water sprays IC: 50
a Hood and Bag filter 1 < 50 3 IC: 280
a: [CITEPA], level was reported BAT level of the air-BAT-note
IC: Investment costs
Table A.4-14: Achieved emission levels and operational data for oxide removal systems
Examples Water sprays:

Water sprays are installed in the last finishing stand. The equipment comprises 6 nozzles in the
upper part and 8 nozzles in the lower part at each stand. The water is sprayed at a flow-rate of
22 l/min and a pressure of 8 bar. The total water flow of the spraying system is 35 m3/h. Costs
given for 1994: 50000 ECU.
Sampling location Concentration of particulate matter

Sampling Duration: 3 h without spraying with spraying
Above the finishing mill 6.02 mg/Nm3 2.35 mg/Nm3
Roof 2.77 mg/Nm3 0.63 mg/Nm3
Table A.4-15: Typical reduction of fugitive emissions by water spraying

[Input-HR-1]
The measuring system does not correspond to any standard, because the emissions are more or
less diffuse. The sampling points were chosen valuing from where the emissions came due to
aspiration in the workshop because there were no well defined flows.
Example Exhaust System:

Investment costs of 1 M Euro (Voest) were reported in [Input-HR-1]. Another source
[EUROFRER HR] reports approx. investment costs of 1.45 M ECU and operating cost of 0.15
M ECU/t (sludge and dust removal /disposal not included) for suction plants for finishing train.
Driving force for implementation: - reduction of emissions of ferrous oxides. [Input-HR-1]

A.4.1.8.9 Prevention of Hydrocarbon Contamination
Description:
Reduction of oil and lubricant losses is a preventive measure against the contamination of
process waters and the included scale. The use of modern design bearings and bearing seals
for work-up and back-up rolls and the installation of leakage indicators in the lubricant lines
(pressure monitoring equipment e.g. at hydrostatic bearings) can reduce the hydrocarbon
content (oil) of scale and waste water and reduces the oil consumption by 50 to 70 %.
[EUROFER HR]
Contaminated drainage water at the various consumers (hydraulic aggregates) should be

collected and can be pumped into intermediate storage tanks. The waste oil, after separation
from water, can be used as a reducing agent in the blast furnace or can be recycled off-site. The

Part A/Chapter 4
separated water may be further processed either in the water treatment plant or in dressing
plants with ultra filtration or vacuum evaporator. [Com2 HR]

· Prevention of oil (hydrocarbon) contamination of water and scale.
· Reduced amount of oily scale.
Applicability:
· New plants and existing plants in case of major revamps (less applicable to older plants).
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.8.10 Hydraulic Coilers Comprising Step Control
Description:
In conventional coiling the strip is in contact with the wrapper rollers during at least 3 turns of
the mandrel and penetrates the overlaying winding. These parts of the hot band have to be
removed for subsequent processing in the cold rolling mill.
Hydraulically operated coilers comprising step control systems lift the wrapper rollers
automatically, commanded by sensors, when the strip head passes the individual roller.

· Amount of crop scrap in the subsequent processes is reduced.
Applicability:
· Hot strip mills.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.8.11 Shape Rolling / Plan View Control
Description:
During conventional plate rolling by maintaining a constant plate thickness during each rolling
pass, a distinct distortion of the plate plan view from true rectangular shape takes place.
Employing shape controlled rolling, tapered thickness profiles or dog bones will be produced
during rolling. Supported by measurements (load or shape) the amount of dog bone formation
or tapering is computed and the correction signals are sent to the roll adjusting system. The plan
view control is mainly employed as an addition to the automatic gauge system. The term 'shape
rolling or plan view control' is applied to various techniques developed in recent years. All of
them are based on the same principle that employs rolling a plate of variable thickness during

Part A/Chapter 4
the intermediate passes, which results in closely rectangular final plate shape and a reduction in
trimming scrap.

· Reduced scrap.
Applicability:
· Plate mills.
· New plants and, with limitations, existing plants.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.8.12 On Line Heat Treatment (Accelerated Cooling)
Description:
Cooling devices of various design (e.g. water curtains, water pillows, etc.) are arranged behind
the rolling mill stand. By controlling the cooling water volume under consideration of sheet
temperatures, in-line treatment, such as normalising or quenching, can be applied.

· Reduced energy consumption and emissions from subsequent heat treatment furnaces.
Applicability:
· Plate mills.
· New plants and with limitations for existing plants.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.8.13 Thermo Mechanical Rolling Operation
Description:
In a 'thermo-mechanical rolling operation', the properties of hot rolled plates or sections are
influenced to reduce the need for subsequent heat treatment. Slabs or blooms/beam blanks from
the re-heating furnace are rolled to an intermediate thickness, followed by a holding period
(during which water sprays may be applied) to cool down to a desired temperature and are then
finally rolled. Thermo-mechanical rolling achieves a technological parameter, usually attributed
to smaller grain size, using less alloying additives and without or with reduced need for
subsequent heat treatments, such as normalising.

· Reduced of energy consumption.
· Reduction of emissions from heat treatment.

Part A/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· Plate and section mills.
· New and existing plants, provided sufficient rolling power is available [Com HR].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.9 Cooling Lines
A.4.1.9.1 Optimized Water Pumps for Laminar Flows
Description:
è No description and technical information submitted..
A.4.1.10 Subsequent Sheet Production
A.4.1.10.1 Leveller Dust Removal
Description:
By the strip bending effect of levelling rollers, scale is broken from the strip surface and
fugitive dust is generated. Suction hoods can be installed which collect the air born particles
near the leveller and lead them via suction pipes to a filter plant, usually equipped with fabric
filters. [Com HR]

· Reduction of fugitive particle emissions.
Applicability:
· Shearing and rewinding lines.
· New installations for subsequent treatment equipment for flat products.
· Waste generation.
· Collected dust particles are recycled into the steel production.
· Increased energy consumption [Com2 HR].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.11 Roll Shop
A.4.1.11.1 Good Operational Practice for Roll Shops

Description:
Use of solvents
· As far as technically acceptable for the degree of cleanliness required, water based
degreasing should be applied.
· If organic solvents are used, preference should be given to non-chlorinated solvents.
Wastes
· Grease removed from roll trunnions is collected and disposed of properly (e.g. by
incineration).
· Grinding sludge is treated by magnetic separation for recovery of metal particles which are
recycled into the steelmaking process.
· Mineral residues from grinding wheels are deposited in landfills.
· Steel and iron turnings are recycled into the steelmaking process.
· Worn grinding wheels are deposited in landfills.
· Worn rolls which are unsuitable for further reconditioning are recycled into the steelmaking
process or returned to the manufacturer.
· Cooling liquids and cutting emulsions are treated for oil/water separation. Oily residues are
disposed of properly (e.g. by incineration).
· Waste water effluents from cooling and degreasing as well as from emulsion separation are
recovered by the hot rolling mill water treatment plant.

· Reduction of overall environmental impact.
Applicability:
· New and existing roll shops.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.12 Water Treatment
A.4.1.12.1 Reduction of Water Consumption and Discharge
Description:
Implementation of semi-closed and closed loop water systems, with discharge as low as
possible. For further description refer to Chapter A.2.1.15

· Reduction of waste water and pollutant discharge.
Applicability:
· In some cases upgrading existing plants from ‘wet mills’ (once-through) to mills with semi-
or closed circuits, may not be possible due to insufficient space being available to
accommodate a fully equipped water treatment plant at economically justifiable investment
costs.

Part A/Chapter 4
· Increased energy consumption and consumption of chemicals.
· Waste (sludge) generation.
Reference plants:
Semi-closed: …..
Closed: Stahlwerke Bremen, …
Operational data:
Table A.4-16 shows the emission levels achieved with semi-closed and closed water circuits.
For comparison the levels achieved by an open system are also given.
Parameter Open circuit Semi closed circuit Closed circuit

Suspended solids (SS) £ 40 mg/l £ 40 mg/l £ 40 mg/l
Specific emission of SS approx. 800 g/t approx. 480 g/t 0 - 40 g/t
Water consumption 100 % approx. 60 % 1 approx. 5 % 1
COD (O2) £40 mg/l £ 40 mg/ £ 40 mg/l
Specific emission of COD approx. 800 g/t approx. 480 g/t approx. 38 g/t
Hydrocarbons (HC) £ 5 mg/l £ 5 mg/l £ 5 mg/l
(related to mineral oil)
Specific emission of HC approx. 100 g/t approx. 60 g/t approx. 5 g/t
Notes: Source of data [EUROFER HR]. Based on a production of approx. 3.0 Mt. Waste water treatment consisting
of a combination of individual measures as described in the following chapter (no detailed information available)
1
Compared with open-circuit, absolute values for water consumption depends on the individual plant situation.
Table A.4-16: Typically achieved effluent levels for different water treatment systems
Economics:
Process Investment costs Operating costs Water volume

flow/consumption
Open circuit ECU 9.4 - 14.4 million ECU 0.5 - 0.65 / t 4000 m³/h
treatment plant
Semiclosed circuit ECU 13.0 - 14.5 million ECU 0.6 - 1.15 / t 2500 m³/h
treatment plant
Closed circuit m³/h
treatment plant additional water
consumption
·with cooling tower ECU 25.0 up to 40.0 million ECU 1.45 / t (cooling tower)
and/or cooling water
·with heat exchanger ECU 43.2 million ECU 1.6 - 1.75 / t in large quantities
for heat exchangers
Notes: Source of data [HR]. Basis is a production of about 3.0 Mt/year hot rolled products. Investment costs
exclude costs for building ground and shops, but include the necessary infrastructure. Operating costs are typical
examples only; sludge and dust removal (disposal) is not considered).
Table A.4-17: Estimated costs for different water treatment plants


Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.1.12.2 Treatment of Scale and Oil Bearing Process Water
Description:
Scale and oil bearing waste water from hot rolling (and often from continuous casting) is treated
by a sequence of cleaning steps, for example scale pits, settling tanks, cyclones, filtration etc.
creating quite complex waste water treatment systems. The first step, usually, is a scale pit to
remove the coarse scale by sedimentation. This is followed by several secondary or fine
cleaning steps aiming at separating and abating oil and the remaining scale.
For a detailed description of the individual treatment devices refer to Chapter D.9.1.
As there are numerous options for combining the individual cleaning steps, the treatment of
scale and oil bearing process waters and the achievable emission levels are described by means
of examples of water treatment systems implemented in hot rolling mills.

· Reduction of pollutant discharge to water, especially suspended solids, oil, grease etc.
Applicability:
· Oil and sludge arise as waste in waste water treatment. [Com D].
Reference plants:
Stahlwerke Bremen (D), SSAB (S), BSW (D).
Operational data:
Example A: SSAB
The major portion of scale and oil is separated in two scale pits near the rolling mill. The water
treatment plant has three basins for gravimetric separation of scale and surface separation of oil
and grease. The final cleaning is done in ten sand filters. The rate of water circulation has
gradually been increased over the past years to reduce water discharge to river to below
200 m3/h (former: 3500 m3/h, recirculation rate approx. >95 %). Additionally, primary measures
have been taken to reduce leakage of e.g. grease, lubricants and hydraulic oils from machine
equipment. Hoses have been changed, better couplings have been installed and routine
inspections are carried out. [SSAB]
Achieved discharge values are 0.4 mg/l for oil (0.7 t/a) and 3.8 mg/l for suspended solids (6t/a)
(reference year 1994, monthly mean value?) [SSAB]
Example B: Stahlwerke Bremen

Figure A.4-13 shows the water circuit and the water treatment system installed at Stahlwerke
Bremen. The system treats an average water flow of 18000 m3/h; about 3500 m3/h of which is
from the roughing mill and about 14500 m3/h from the finishing train including water from the
delivery roller table, the coiler and the mist extraction system. The coarse scale is removed
from the roughing mill process water in scale pits before it is treated together with the stream
from the finishing train in aerated fine scale traps followed by settling tanks. Before the water is
recirculated and split into different quality streams, it is cleaned in sand filters. These consist of
3 groups of pressure filters; operating at full production capacity, the filtering speed is 21.4 m/h.
The reduced concentration of suspended solids, iron and hydrocarbons is shown in Table
A.4-18. [Dammann], [UBA-Kloeckner-82]

Part A/Chapter 4
Scale pits, aerated fine scale trap, Sand/Gravelfilter

settling tank
Outlet Inlet1 Outlet Reduction
Substance [mg/l] [mg/l] [mg/l] [%]
Suspended solids 40 – 70 36 3.5 ~ 3.8 90
Iron 10 – 20 7.7 0.85 90
Hydrocarbons 1-2 1.7 0.5 ~ 0.6 65
Note: Source of data [UBA-Kloechner-82]
1
average inlet concentration
Table A.4-18: Pollutant concentration in the water circuit

Part A/Chapter 4
Stream I: 4600 m3/h for machine cooling (highest quality, oil < 10 mg/l)
Stream II: 7400 m3/h roughing mill and finishing train (medium quality, oil ~15 mg/l)
Stream III: 6000 m3/h delivery roller table (lowest quality, oil < 20 mg/l)
Figure A.4-13: Example of a water recirculation system for a hot rolling mill
[UBA-CS-8007]
To make–up for evaporation losses and elutriation water, water from the LD steel plant or – in
case of production stop - roughly filtered water from a river is added to the system. The amount
of elutriation water, which needs to be withdrawn from the system to avoid salt built-up, is

Part A/Chapter 4
mimimised by reuse for back-washing sand filters and by partial reuse in slag processing.
[Dammann], [UBA-Kloeckner-82]
From filter back-washing about 750 m3/h arise which are treated as shown is in Figure A.4-14.
About 92 % of the solids settle in the sedimentation step; the remaining suspended solids
(approx. 50 mg/l) and the hydrocarbons (average 1.5 mg/l) are treated by flocculation and
flotation. The water is then recirculated to the water system. The partial stream which has to be
discarded is treated in two-layer filters. The concentration of suspended solids and
hydrocarbons are well below the emission limit values set by authorities (10 mg/l SS and 1 mg/l
HC). Achieved emission levels are shown in Table A.4-19.
For maintaining the water circuit, biocides, corrosion inhibitors and dispersing agents are added.
When needed (e.g. once a day) flash chlorination is done.
FA = flocculation agent FAA = filtration aiding agent
Figure A.4-14: Treatment of back-washing water

[UBA-CS-8007]
Substance Concentration Type of sampling Measurements in 1998

in mg/l Operator/Comp. authority
Fe 0.13 Qualified random sample 12/6
Oil < 0.1 Qualified random sample 12/6
Suspended <3 Qualified random sample 12/6
solids
Cr < 0.01 Qualified random sample 12/6
Ni 0.02 Qualified random sample 12/6
Zn 0.03 Qualified random sample 12/6
Note: Source of data: Senator für Bau und Umwelt Bremen. Plant: Stahlwerke Bremen.
Mean values of the qualified random samples from 1998. Waste water volume: 1620404 m3
Table A.4-19: Concentration of effluents from treatment of back-washing water

[Com2 D]
Example C: SIDMAR
The water circuit installed at Sidmar consists basically of 3 systems: the 3 bar-system for
cooling the supporting rolls, the roll table and the motors; the 12 bar-system for cooling of the

Part A/Chapter 4
work rolls and for feeding of the discaling pump system and the 150 bar-system for descaling at
the furnace exits and in the roughing and finishing mill. The total flow is up to 13000 m3/h.
Oil and scale bearing water from the 150 bar-system is cleaned in a first step by scale pits
followed by gravity sand filters. The process water from the roughing mill contains mainly large
scale, less than 20 % of the oil and grease consumption, does not require colling and can be
reused in the 3 bar-system without further treatment. Water from the finishing mill contains fine
scales and over 80 % of the oil and grease consumption. Following the decanters and the sand
filters this water needs to be cooled before it is reused in the 3 bar-system. The reused channel
water contains less than 5 mg/l suspended solids and less than 0.2 mg/l hydrocarbons.
Due to evaporation losses and high contents of Na, Cl, etc., about 500 m3/h of refreshing water
is needed, which is taken from the cold rolling mill. The elutriated water exits to the steel mill.
The reutilisation rate of the described system is over 95 %.
Efficiency of the waste water treatment and thus the pollutant concentration discharged depends
among others on the combination of individual cleaning operations. Table A.4-20 lists more
example water treatment sequences and achieved emission levels.
Results of waste water treatment

Before Treatment Treatment After treatment [mg/l]
Example E
Sedimentation + flocculation, Oil: 50
flotation + sand filter SS: 50
Example F SS: < 10
Oil/Grease: Sedimentation + flocculation + Oil: <5
10 -200 mg/l cooling + sand filter Fe: 12
0.7 - 2.73 kg/t Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd: < 0.1
Example G Reduction:
Suspended solids (SS): Sedimentation + flocculation + SS: 90 % (down to 3 - 9 mg/l)
120 – 2000 mg/l cooling + magnetic filtration 1 Oil: 50 - 90 %
0.13 - 4.57 kg/t Example B’
Sedimentation + aerated sinter Reduction:
removal + flotation + sand filter, SS (>63 mm): > 99 %
blow down: biological polishing 31 < SS <63 mm): 20 - 80 %:
Example H Oil: 50 (= 20 g/t)
Cyclones, settling basin, sand filter, SS: 50 (= 20 g/t)
cooling towers COD: 100
Note: Source of data [EC Haskoning]
1
Concentration before treatment: 30 - 100 mg suspended solids/l
Table A.4-20: Pollutant reduction for several waste water treatments
Economics:
A.4.1.12.3 Cooling Water Treatment
Description:
In order to operate closed cooling water cycles the cooling water has to be re-cooled and
treated.

Part A/Chapter 4
Cooling is carried out either by evaporation in cooling towers or by heat exchangers. In

pressure-cooled counterflow cooling towers the water to be cooled is sprayed on grids in the
cooling tower cells and flows over blocks into the cooling tower tray. Fans arranged laterally or
on top draw off ambient air which passes the water in counterflow. Thus cooling is achieved by
evaporation of water. The cooling efficiency is controlled by means of the air volume. Desalting
is controlled via a measurement of the electrical conductivity. If required, the necessary amount
of dispersants, sodium hypochlorite and biocide (prevention of growth of bacteria and fungi)
and acid or alkali (pH-value) is added.
In plate heat exchangers plates with flow-through channels are screwed to a package. From
each plate, alternatively hot waste water and cold cooling water is pumped through these
channels. The heat is transferred via the plate wall.
In hybrid cooling towers, a plate heat exchanger is installed in the upper part of the tower. In
the lower part, the water is cooled by evaporation. Due to the heat exchanger, the air with
100 % moisture is heated and condenses as fog some time later and with less intensity.

· Reduced water consumption as water can be re-used in the process.
Applicability:
· Addition of dispersants and of biocides [Com HR].
· Increased energy consumption as a result of recirculation pumping requirements.
[Com2 HR].
In the planning and installation of circuit-type water treatment plants with cooling towers the
geographical situation of the respective mill has to be taken into consideration. Due to the water
evaporation in the recooling process the climatic conditions can be affected by the constant
formation of fog and by the so-called industrial snow, especially in central Europe.
Reference plants:
Operational data: refer to Table A.4-16 [Com2 HR]
Economics:
A.4.1.13 Waste/By-product Treatment and Recycling
A.4.1.13.1 Internal Recycling of Dry or Drained Oxides
Description:
Dry or drained oxides, which mostly consist of the coarse fraction - also resulting from the
grinding or scarfing operations -, can be selectively recycled by magnetic and mechanical
separation (sieves). Thus part of the oxide can be directly reused in the sinter plant, in the blast
furnace or in the steel plant.

· Reduced waste.
· Use of iron content.
Applicability:
· Certain recycling options require pretreatment by briquetting [Com D].

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.1.13.2 Recycling Technologies for Oily Mill Scale
Description:
The direct utilisation of oily mill scale in metallurgical processes is restricted depending on the
oil content. Coarse scale with a particle size of 0.5 – 5 mm and a oil content below 1 % can be
returned to the sinter strand without any pre-treatment. High oil contents (> 3 %) result in
increased emissions of VOC and potentially dioxins and can lead to problems the waste gas
purification systems (e.g. glowfires in the electrostatic precipitators). Because of that the
residues and waste have to be pre-treated before reuse. Fine scale sludge consists mainly of very
small scale particles (< 0.1 mm). Because the fine particles absorb oil to a very high degree (5 –
20 %) this scale normally cannot be returned to the sinter strand without any pre treatment. The
high oil content of the sludge combined with incomplete burning can result in oil vapour
formation which can lead to fire in the following waste gas treatment systems. [Com A]
Examples for treating oily mill scale are:
Briquetting and Converter charging

The scale containing sludge is formed to briquettes under addition of binders. The produced,
moulded bodies are of adequate consistency to be charged in the converter. Briquettes cooling
effect is sufficient for converter charging. Additives such as anthracite can be included to make
the briquettes thermally neutral.
CARBOFER
Oily mill scale sludge is mixed with lime and coal dust and, optionally, iron or carbon bearing
flue dust to obtain a dry mixture that is suitable for pneumatic injection into a reactor of the iron
and steel making process, such as the blast furnace or the electric arc furnace. A fully recovery
of the injected materials can be expected. [Com HR]
Washing (PREUSSAG method/de-oiling)

A stirring device is charged with preconditioned sludge (scale, oil, water) under addition of
washing water reagents. After rinsing the created suspension, solids, water and oil is separated.
Result is oil free (≤ 0.2 %) ferrous material.
Flotation (THYSSEN method/de-oiling)

Scale containing sludge is conditioned with reagents and deoiled in a 3-stage flotation process.
The result is a Fe-product, an oily-product and a mixture of these.
Revolving tubular furnace (de-oiling)

Scale, containing oil and water, is dewatered and deoiled by temperatures of approx. 450 - 470
°C. The furnace may be heated directly or indirectly. The result is an oil free ferrous product (~
0.1 %) plus emissions to air by additional usage of energy.
2-layer sintering technology

Process steps:
Prestraining of the charge (mill scale, flue dust, etc.)
Premixing the charge in the bunker followed by an intensive mixing procedure
charging the waste mixture - approx. 10 m behind ignition - onto the already sintered primary
charge, resulting in secondary ignition.

Part A/Chapter 4
Direct utilization in the blast furnace (VOEST-ALPINE STAHL method)

Scale is shot into the bottom of the blast furnace via a sludge burning lance. This is a very
economic way to utilize the energy of the hydrocarbons and to reduce the iron oxide (scale)
without needing an extra furnace and without producing extra environmental pollution, but it is
only possible for blast furnaces equipped with a sludge or waste oil burning lance. It is
important to inject the sludge at the bottom and not at the top of blast furnace to ensure that the
hydrocarbons are burnt and not only evaporated. Special attention has to be taken on the
emissions, to control, that really all hydrocarbons are burnt and to ensure, that the
coincineration of these wastes in the blast furnace will not result in higher emissions.

· Reduced waste.
· Using iron contents as raw material.
Applicability:
· De-oiling methods consume washing agents or flocculating agents and result in oily waste
water or residues from flotation.
· Thermal treatments result in emissions to air and increased energy consumption.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.2 COLD ROLLING Mill
A.4.2.2 Pickling
A.4.2.2.1 Reduction of Waste Water Volume Contaminant Loading
Description:
General techniques for the reduction of waste water volume and contaminant loading include:
· Reduction of iron oxide formation during hot rolling and steel handling (e.g. by high
pressure descaling, fast cooling, short storage time, corrosion free storage and transport).
The acid consumption during pickling is proportional to the amount of iron oxide removed
from the steel surface. Although the potential for a reduction in oxide formation is limited,
control of the cooling rate can modify the structure of the scale. This can influence the
pickling speed and thus reduce energy consumption for the process. Fast cooling of the hot
rolled strip may be limited however for quality reasons.
· Partial or full replacement of wet pickling processes by waste water free mechanical
treatment (mechanical descaling). For stainless steel mechanical descaling can only be
applied at one part of the process and only partial replacement is viable. [Com2 CR]
However, it should be recognised that there is an energy penalty associated with the use of
mechanical descaling equipment.
· Reduction of acid consumption and regeneration costs by adding adequate chemicals

(inhibitors) for pickling of low alloy and alloy steel (not applicable to stainless steel).
However, inhibitors can have a detrimental effect on surface quality (due to the formation
of rust).
· Reduction of acid concentration by using high pickling temperatures. Although a balance

has to be reached between acid concentration and pickling temperature. The optimum is a
function of acid losses, pickling efficiency and energy consumption. Increasing the pickling
temperature leads to a rise in NOx generation for stainless steel pickling and therefore
avoiding excessive NOx formation needs to be considered in the balance.
· Reduction of acid concentration by using electrical processes.
· Minimization of waste water volume by use of cascading flow.
· Minimization of waste water volume by using improved pickling and rinsing equipment
(mechanical pre-treatment, closed tanks to reduce gas scrubber effluents, spray type
treatment instead of dip treatment, squeegee rolls for removal of adhering bath liquor to
reduce carry-over of pickle liquor and rinsing water, etc.).
· Internal recycling and mechanical filtering of pickle liquor and rinsing water for lifetime
extension.
· Regeneration of pickling acid. Regeneration of waste acids reduces the volume of waste
requiring neutralisation. However, the concentration and the volume of waste acid has to
reach a certain level to be suitable for regeneration processes.
· Side-stream ion exchange or electrodialysis for bath regeneration.

Part A/Chapter 4
· Careful selection of raw materials to minimize contamination of waste streams.
· Reduction of the formation of oxide dust (during de-coiling, levelling or in the entry
accumulator) by the use of adequate suction heads.
· Indirect heating of acid. The most common way to heat the acid is the use of heat
exchangers. Direct heating by steam injection dilutes the waste acid, which therefore cannot
be regenerated.
A.4.2.2.2 Reduction of Dust Emission at the Decoilers
Description:
Iron oxide dust is formed by stretching the strip during the decoiling operation. The formation
of dust can be prevented by the use of water curtains. This wet method requires a separator
system to remove the iron oxide from the spraying water. This can either be a stand-alone
system or it is integrated in the global water treatment system of the plant.
In some cases the water spray method leads to an undesired build-up of iron oxide particles on
the rolls in the pickling line and hence to roll marks on the strip. In these cases an exhaust
system, usually equipped with fabric filters, is used as an alternative to prevent the dispersion
of the dust.

· Prevention of fugitive dust emissions.
· Reduction of air emissions.
Applicability:
· Consumption of energy.
· Generation of waste water or waste (filter dust).
Reference plants:
Investment costs were reported to be 50000 euro for water sprays and 280000 euro for exhaust
system with fabric filter (for a 3 Mt/a plat). [CITEPA]

A.4.2.2.3 Mechanical Pre-descaling
Description:
Mechanical descaling techniques, like shot blasting, stretcher leveller, temper mill or
leveller, are used to break and remove the major portion of the hot rolling scale. As the amount
of iron oxide that has to be removed from the steel surface in the chemical pickling section is
reduced, the acid consumption is reduced.

Part A/Chapter 4
Mechanical descaling facilities are equipped with extraction systems and abatement devices
(generally fabric filters) to control the release of particulate material.

· Reduction of acid consumption.
· Increased effectiveness of the pickling process.
Applicability:
· New plants and with limitations –due to available space- for existing plants.
· Mechanical descaling for stainless steel grades can only be applied prior the initial pickling
step. In later pickling steps this would influence the surface quality of the finished product.
· Generation of particulate emissions, which have to be captured and abated.
· Generation of waste (filter dust).
· Due to increased effectiveness of the pickling operations, pickling bath temperatures can be
lowered, resulting in lower evaporation losses. Reducing the loading on the acid pickling
and hence the consumption of acids decreases the generation of acidic wastes.
Reference plants:
Thyssen Stahl, Krefeld, Germany (horizontal shot blasting for hot and cold strip, fabric filter)
[Met-Plant-Int-1-94]
Operational data:
Concentration Specific Emission Reduction rate1 Waste Gas Volume Method of

[mg/Nm3] [kg/t product] [%] analysis
Example A: shot blasting unit of stainless steel plant

Dust 15 – 25 0.01 - 0.02 > 95 350 – 450 m3/t BS 3405
1
Cr, reliably below

Mn, the limit of
Ni 5 mg/m3 2
Example B: shot blasting unit of the annealing and pickling line for hot rolled steelbands
4.5/< 1/2.6 13800/15200/18200
Nm3/h
Note: Source of data for example A [EUROFER CR]; example B [FIN 28.3]
1
[CITEPA] reports below 20 mg/m3 for V=135000 m3/h and max capacity of 225 t/h.
2
Source of data [Met-Plant-Int-1-94]
Table A.4-21: Dust emission levels achieved at shot blasting unit using fabric filters
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.2.2.4 Optimised Rinsing Procedure/ Cascade Rinsing
Description: see also Chapter D.8

An optimised rinsing operation aims at reducing the waste water generated and at minimizing
contamination of the rinsing water. A common method to reduce the volume of waste water and
sludge from waste water treatment is to install a (counter-current) cascading flow system in
combination with squeegee rolls in the rinsing plant. Furthermore, spent rinsing water can be
reused in the plant, e.g. for make-up water in pickling baths. Squeeze rolls and wiper rolls are
installed behind the pickling baths, as well as before and behind the rinsing baths. Adhering
bath liquor from the strip surface is removed to reduce carry-over of pickle liquor from the
pickling bath and of concentrated rinsing water from one cascading flow step to the next.
A typical cascade rinse system utilizes some three to six compartments with wringer rolls to
reduce carry-over between compartments. Fresh or condensate water to be added to the last
compartment is allowed to cascade counter-currently over a weir to the preceding compartment.
The excess, i.e. dragout, overflows from the first compartment to a storage tank from where it is
usually passed to the regeneration plant. Portions from the intermediate tanks are taken for acid
vapour absorption in the absorption columns of the regeneration plant or for fresh acid dilution
in the pickling tanks.

· Reduction of waste water volume and sludge from waste water treatment.
· Reduction of acid consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants: Jenn An, Taiwan
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.5 Turbulence Pickling
Description:
Recent developments in pickling techniques aim mainly at improving the process itself;
inhancing efficiency, pickling speed and quality and making the process easier to control.
Figure A.4-15 shows the development from deep pickling tanks via shallow tanks to turbulent
pickling where the acid is sprayed onto the strip at the narrow gap between the pickling tanks.
Figure A.4-15: Different type of pickling tanks

Part A/Chapter 4

· Increased efficiency.
· Reduction energy consumption, reduction in acid consumption.
Applicability:
· New pickling plants and existing in connection with major revamping.
· As the process is more efficient, lower temperatures are possible for the acid bath, leading
to a reduction in acid consumption [Metall94].
· As turbulence pickling is easier to control ( and may be equipped with additional process
models) a more effective control of the pickling effect is possible, leading to less over-
pickling and thus reduction in pickling loss (20 – 30 %, 0.8 – 1.2 kg/t respectively)
[Metall94].
· New acid consumption and/or regeneration capacities for spent acid are reduced [Metall94].
Reference plants:
Stahlwerke Bochum AG (Germany); BHP (Australia); Sumitomo Metals (Japan); Sidmar
(Belgium); Thyssen Stahl (Germany); ILVA (Italy); ALZ (Belgium), Avesta (Sweden);
Allegheny Ludlum (USA) [Metall94]
Operational data:
Economics: reduced investment and operational costs
Driving force for implementation: improvement of pickling process efficiency, improved
quality, monetary advantage
A.4.2.2.6 Cleaning and Reuse of Acid Pickle Liquor
Description:
Side-stream mechanical filtering, acid recovery and internal recycling can be used for cleaning
and extending the lifetime of the pickling liquor. The liquor is filtered, e.g. in deep bed media
filters, to remove particulates. Cooling of the acid by means of heat exchangers might be
necessary prior to the adsorption unit in which a physio-chemical adsorbent (like a resin)
removes free acid from the waste stream. Once the unit is saturated the free acid is desorbed by
a fresh water stream and recycled to the pickling process.

· Reduced acid consumption (waste water volume and sludge).
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Allegheny Ludlum, USA
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.2.2.7 Hydrochloric Acid Regeneration by Spray Roasting
Description:
See Chapter D.6.10.1.2 for regeneration process description and chapter D.6.3 for emission
abatement.

· Reduced consumption of fresh acid (from 12 - 17.5 kg/t to 0.7 - 0.9 kg/t; HCl conc. 33 %).
· Reduced waste water volume and sludge.
Applicability:
· New plants and existing plants depending on size.
· Consumption of energy and water.
· Generation of air emissions (combustion product and acid), which have to be reduced by
e.g. wet scrubbers.
· Generation of waste water, which has to be treated (see A.4.2.2.28).
· Specific emission of suspended solids of 2.86 g/t product (in treated waste water).
· Reduction of new acid to be produced (supplier).
· Generates a sellable solid by-product: iron oxide, which can be reused in the ferrite industry
or in color- and glass production.
Reference plants: [Karner-1]
Company Year of Capacity Remarks

contract [l/h]
Hoesch Stahl AG; Dortmund, FRG 1989 9000
Ornatube Enterprise; Kaohsiung; Taiwan 1989 900
Shanghai Cold Strip; China 1989 2900
China Steel; Kaohsiung, Taiwan 1989 1900
Sidmar S.A.; Gent, Belgium 1990 11000
Anshan Iron & Steel; China 1991 2 x 6000 high-purity oxide
Benxi Iron & Steel; China 1992 5000
Karaganda Met. Komb.; Kazakhstan 1992 2 x 10000
MMK; Magnitogorsk, Russia 1993 11000
Baoshan Iron & Steel; China 1994 2 x 2900 high-purity oxide
Hanbo Steel; Korea 1994 11000
Operational data:
Table A.4-22 and Table A.4-23 present data on consumption and emissions associated with HCl
spray roasting.

Part A/Chapter 4

Spent acid 0.7 - 0.9 kg/t
Cooling water (in) 0.07 - 0.09 m3/t
Energy:
Electrical energy 4 - 15 MJ/t
Caloric energy (natural gas) 102 - 119 MJ/t
Specific Emission
Solid by-product: Fe2O3 5.1 - 5.4 (5.6 Sidmar) kg/t
Recycled acid (20 %) 23 - 40 kg/t
Cooling water (out) 0.07 - 0.09 m3/t
Waste gas 24 -38 m3/t
Waste water (discharge) 0.04 - 0.07 m3/t
Table A.4-22: Consumption and emission levels for HCl spray roasting
Concentration Specific Emission Reduction rate1 Method of analysis

[mg/Nm3] [kg/t product] [%]
Dust 20 - 50 n.a. n.a. EPA
SO2 50 - 100 n.a. n.a. SO4 detection by Ion Chromato-
graphy (NBN T95-202)
NO2 2 300 - 370 0.014 > 90 NO3 detection by Ion Chromato-
graphy (NBN T95-301),
Luminiscence
CO 150 0.006 > 90 Umwelt-BA EM-K1
CO2 180000 6855 > 90 Infrared
HCl 8 - 30 3.05 E-4 > 98 Ion chromotography
(ASTM D 4327-84),
Potentiometric titration
(NEN 6476)
1
Reduction rate based on mass flow of constituent before/after abatement measure
2
(3 % O2)
Table A.4-23: Emissions to air from HCl spray roasting
Plant supplier claim pollutant concentrations of less than 2 mg/m3 of HCl and free Cl2.
[Karner-1]
For a countercurrent packed water scrubber with final alkaline scrubbing HCl emission levels of
<15 mg/m3 with investment cost of 1175 kECU and operating costs of 6 kECU/a (electricity
300 kWh, V=10000 m3/h) were reported by [CITEPA].
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.2.2.8 Hydrochloric Acid Regeneration by Fluidised Bed
Description:
See Chapter D.5.10.1.1 for regeneration process description and Chapter D.5.3 for emission
abatement.

· Reduced consumption of fresh acid.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
The economics of a modern pickling plant, including the fluidized bed process, involve the
following factors:
· Raw acid consumption.
· Utilisation of rinse and scrubber water.
· Production of clear, iron-free hydrochloric acid.
· Production of iron oxidem which can be used in different industries.
Generally, the capital costs of a pickling plant, including fluidised bed process, are favorable
compared with the operation costs and resulting benefits. Overall economics will vary from one
installation to another, due to local differences in acid cost, waste pickle liquor regeneration cost
and the cost involved in modernizing existing facilities or constructing new facilities.
[Rituper-1]

A.4.2.2.9 Effluent-free HCl Strip Pickling Plant
Description:
In determining the waste water from pickling operation: spent pickle liquor; rinse waste water;
and scrubber water have to be taken into account. Using the fluidized bed process, the pickle
liquor recycled between the pickling tanks and regeneration unit, results in a nearly zero
consumption of raw acid apart from some small amount of evaporation loss. [Rituper-1]
Since the fluidized bed process operates at approximately 850 ºC, additional rinse and scrubber
water from the pickle line can be utilized in the regeneration plant. In accordance with the
energy balance of the venturi scrubber, a certain amount of water is necessary for cooling the
reactor off-gas by evaporation. [Rituper-1]
The quantity of rinse and scrubber water, which can be utilized in the fluidized bed process,
depends on the iron content of pickle liquor. An example of rinse water utilization is shown in
Figure A.4-16 A portion of the rinse water is used for absorption, with the remainder directly
added to the venturi scrubber. [Rituper-1]
In the example shown in Figure A.4-16, a total of 5943 l/h of rinse water can be used for the
absorption of HCI. Depending on the iron content of the pickle liquor, approximately 500 l/h of

Part A/Chapter 4
rinse water at 105 g/l Fe++ and approximately 1750 l/h of rinse water at 130 g/l Fe++ can be used
in addition.
Constant rinse water
7000
6500 Additional rinse water
6000
5500 Spent pickle liquor
5000
4500
100 110 120 130 140
Figure A.4-16: Dependence of rinse water utilisation on iron content

[Rituper-1]
This example shows that an economical effluent-free pickling line operation can be achieved
considering spent pickling liquor as well as rinse water quantities and concentrations.
This process is capable of operating a completely closed, effluent-free pickling, plant and has
already been installed in several modern facilities. These facilities are operating with
hydrochloric acid consumption of less than 0.2 kg acid/tonne of pickled material. One example
of effluent-free strip pickling line in operation is illustrated in Figure A.4-17. [Rituper-1]

· No water discharge/pollution.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
Exhaust air
Water 15000 m3 /h
< 10 mg HCl/m3
7400 l/h 890 l water/h
Scrubber
Steel to Pickled
be pickled steel
Pickling line
Regenerating
Waste acid Rinse acid
acid
7345 l/h 6900 l/h
7730 l/h
200 g/l HCl 16 g/l HCl
190 g/l HCl
100 g/l Fe 0.4 g/l Fe
2 g/l Fe
Fresh acid
< 0.2 kg/t

Tank farm
Waste acid
7345 l/h Regenerating

200 g/l HCl Rinse acid
acid
100 g/l Fe
6900 l/h
7730 l/h
16 g/l HCl
190 g/l HCl
0.4 g/l Fe
2 g/l Fe
Water
3.550 l/h
Fluidized bed process
Waste gas
Natural gas Iron oxide
39800 m3 /h
645 m 3/h 1050 kg/h < 30 mg HCl/m3
< 50 mg dust/m3
Figure A.4-17: Example of effluent-free HCl pickling and acid regeneration

[Rituper-1]
A.4.2.2.10 Sulphuric Acid Recovery by Crystallization
Description: see Chapter D.6.9.1 and D.6.3 for reduction of air emissions (scrubbing).


Part A/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· Emissions to air from recovery.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Table A.4-35 presents data on consumption and emissions associated with H2SO4 vacuum
crystallisation.

Spent acid 7 - 10 kg/t
Cooling water (in) 2 - 3.5 m3/t
Energy:
Caloric energy 100 - 200 MJ/t
Specific Emission
Solid by-product: Fe-sulphate 26 - 30 kg/t
Recycled acid (20 %) 0 -10 kg/t
Cooling water (out) 2 - 3.5 m3/t
Waste water (discharge) 0.2 - 0.4 m3/t
Table A.4-24: Consumption and emission levels for H2SO4 vacuum crystallisation

[mg/Nm3] [g/t product] [%]
SO2 8 - 20 0.5 - 1.5 > 95 Infrared
H2SO4 5 - 10 0.3 - 0.6 > 95 Titration
1
Table A.4-25: Emissions to air from H2SO4 vacuum crystallisation
Economics:
A.4.2.2.11 Mixed Acid Regeneration by Spray Roasting
Description: see Chapter D.5.10.1.2 and D.5.3

· Reduction in fresh acid consumption (from 2.5 -7. kg/t HF and 3 - 10 kg/t HNO3 down to
0.8 - 1.2 kg/t HF), reduction of new acid to be produced (supplier) [Com Karner].
· Reduction of neutralisation sludge [Com Karner].

Part A/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· New and existing plants [Com Karner].
Cross –media effects:

· Consumption of energy and chemicals.
· Generation of air emissions, which have to be reduced/controlled.
· Generation of waste water, which has to be treated.
· Generation of usable by-product mixed oxide [Com Karner].
Reference plants: [Com Karner]
Company Capacity [l/h] Year of Start

Acerinox, Spain 3000 1992
Yieh United, Taiwan 4500 1994
Posco, Korea 4500 1994
Columbus, South Africa 4500 1995
Operational data:
Table A.4-26 presents data on consumption and emissions of mixed acid regeneration by spray
roasting.
Input/Consumption Level
Spent acid 25 - 100 kg/t
Cooling water (in) 1.5 - 9 m3/t
Urea (for Denox) 0.4 - 1 kg/t
Caustic soda
Energy:
Caloric energy (natural gas) 60 - 230 MJ/t
Output/Emission Level
Solid by-product: mixed oxide 1.7 - 5 kg/t
Recycled acid (HF 6 %, HNO3 10 %) 26 - 108 kg/t
Cooling water (out) 1.5 - 9 m3/t
Waste gas: 25 - 100 m3/t
NOx < 100 ppm
(= 200 mg/m3 calc. NO2)
HF <2 mg/Nm3
Dust < 10 mg/Nm3
Note: Source of data [Com-Karner], example Pyromars
Table A.4-26: Consumption and emissions of mixed acid regeneration by spray roasting
Economics: savings due to reduced acid consumption and sellable by-product

Reference Literature:
W. Karner, W.Hofkirchner, Modern pickling and acid regeneration technology, MPT-
Metallurgical Plant and Technology No.2, 1996, 92 -100

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.2.2.12 Mixed Acid (HNO3 and HF) Recovery by Ion Exchange
Description: see Chapter D.5.9.3

· Reduction of waste and fresh acid consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Spent mixed acid 0.05 - 0.2 m3/t
Water 0.05 - 0.2 m3/t
Energy:
Electrical energy 2-5 MJ/t
Specific Emission
Recovered mixed acid 0.05 - 0.2 m3/t
Free HF recovery rate: 75 - 85 %
Free HNO3 recovery rate: 80 - 85 %
Metals removal rate: 50 - 55 %
Metal containing weak acid solution 0.05 - 0.2 m3/t
Table A.4-27: Consumption and emission levels for mixed acid recovery by ion exchange
Economics:
A.4.2.2.13 Mixed Acid (HNO3 and HF) Recovery by Diffusiondialysis
Description: see D.5.9.4

· Reduction of waste and fresh acid consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants: Swedish plant.
Operational data:
Example
Thanks to the filtration of the used acids, a membrane cleaning does become necessary very
seldom. By means of a corresponding pretreatment of the process solution it was reached, that a
diffusion dialysis plant, installed in Sweden in 1989, for regeneration of stainless steel pickling

Part A/Chapter 4
acid (HF/HNO3, 300 l/h) has been operating until today (1993) without any membrane cleaning
with perfect results. [OSMOTA]
Economics:
A.4.2.2.14 Mixed Acid Recovery by Evaporation
Description: See Chapter D.5.10.4 and D.5.10.5.

· Reduction of fresh acid consumption by recycling both free and bounded HNO3 and HF.
· No nitrates in waste waters.
· No dust emissions [Com2 FIN].
Applicability:
Cross-Media effects:
· Consumption of energy and H2SO4.
· Generation of metal sulfates, which can neutralised to metal hydroxides [Com2 FIN].
Reference plants:
Company Capacity (l/h) Year of Start

Outokumpu, Finland 1500 1984
Outokumpu, Finland 3000 1997

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Input/Consumption Level
Spent acid 15 – 30 litres / t
H2SO4 (95 %) 4.0 – 6.0 kg / t
Cooling water 3.8 – 5.8 kg / t
Energy:
Electricity 2.3 – 3.5 MJ / t
Steam 16 – 24 kg / t
Propan 3.2 – 4.8 MJ / t
Output/Emission Level
Cooling water 3.8 – 5.8 kg / t
Recycled acid: 14 – 20 litres / t
130 g/l HNO3
55 g/l HF
Metal sulphate: 5.0 – 7.6 kg / t
Fe 0.6 – 0.8 kg / t
Cr 0.09 – 0.13 kg / t
Ni 0.08 – 0.12 kg / t
SO4 1.9 – 2.9 kg / t
H2SO4 1.7 – 2.5 kg / t
Waste gas:
Dust None
HF < 2 mg / l
NO2 < 100 mg / l
The data above is based on measurements during plant operation.
Table A.4-28: Consumption and emission levels for mixed acid recovery by evaporation
[Com2 FIN]
Economics:
· Savings due to reduced consumption of acids.
· Easy to maintain constant composition of pickling acids.
· No need to acid neutralization [Com2 FIN].
Diving force for implementation:

· Total regeneration of acids [Com2 FIN].
B.Nyman, T.Koivunen, The Outokumpu process for pickling acid recovery, Iron Control in
Hydrometallurgy, Toronto, 19 - 22 Oct 1986, p 519-536, John Wiley &Sons.
A.4.2.2.15 Electrolytic Pre-pickling for High Alloy Steel
Description:
Pre-pickling is done in an initial neutral electrolyse tank using an aqueous solution of sodium
sulfate (Na2SO4) at a processing temperature (max. 80 ºC) prior to the mixed acid baths.
Electrolytic pre-pickling facilities are fully sealed; fumes are extracted and led to a scrubber unit
before release.
Recent developments include also alkaline electrolytic pre-pickling in combination with neutral
pre-pickling and acidic pickling /acidic electrolysis. [Hitachi]

Part A/Chapter 4

· Reduction of the load on the mixed acid and hence a reduction in NOx and nitrate releases.
· Wet scrubbing techniques using packed towers are generally employed to reduce the
emissions to air from pre-pickling facilities.
Applicability:
· New pickling lines and existing in case of major revamps provided sufficient space is
available.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.16 Cleaning and Reuse of Electrolytic Pickle Liquor
Description:
During the pickling process non soluble salts and metallics are formed and must be removed
from the electrolytic sodium sulfate solution to maintain proper operation.
Therefore, a small side stream of the electrolyte is cleaned. Particulates in the solution are
removed in inclined plate clarifiers by gravity settling. The clarified solution is returned to the
electrolysis; while the sludge stream is sent to a chromium reduction unit.

· Reduced electrolyte lifetime, reduced waste.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.17 External Use of Spent Acid Pickle liquor
Description: sell for external regeneration / sell for external use in water treatment
è no information submitted.

Applicability:

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.18 Reduction of Emissions from Pickling/Closed HCl and H2SO4

Pickling Tanks with Exhaust Gas Scrubbing
Description: see Chapter D.5.2 and D.5.3 ff

The various working steps of the pickling process are carried out in totally enclosed equipment
or in equipment fitted with hoods. The acid fumes generated are extracted and passed through
gas scrubbers (absorption towers) for cleaning. Recycling water, e.g. from rinsing, is used as
absorbent. Partial flow of the scrubbing water has to be discharged via the neutralisation plant.

· Reduction of emissions to air, especially of fugitive acid fumes.
Applicability:
· New plants and existing plants.
· Generation of acidic waste water, which can be used in the process, e.g. as rinse water for
HCl regeneration, or require neutralisation followed by water treatment (associated with
consumption of chemicals and generation of water treatment sludges).
Reference plants: Jenn An, Taiwan [Danieli].

Operational data:
HCl Pickling
HCl Pickling
Dust HCl
Specific Waste Gas Volume [m3/t] 25 - 400
Energy Consumption [MJ/t] 0.5 - 1.5
Concentration [mg/Nm³] 10 - 20 10 - 30 1
Specific Emission [g/t] 0.258
Reduction rate 2 > 98 %
Method of analysis EPA Ion chromotography (ASTM D 4327-84)
Potentiometric titration (NEN 6476)
1
[EUROFER 6.9] reports upper level of 30 mg/Nm³ when including continuous measurements.
2
Table A.4-29: Emission levels achieved for HCl pickling by absorption towers
Other sources reported the following achieved emission levels:

USA [EPA-453]
Packed scrubber + mesh demister:
HCl emission values: 2.7 / 2.8 / 21.2 mg/m3, respectively 99.5 / 97.8 / 97.0 % efficiency.
Plate scrubber + mesh demister:

HCl emission values: 3.5 mg/m3, respectively 99.96 % efficiency.

Part A/Chapter 4
Plate scrubber + chevron demister:

HCl emission values: 12.9 / 13.4 mg/m3, respectively 99.0 % efficiency.
[Co-or] reported HCl emission values as low as 1 mg/m3, with an average of 15.4 and a
maximum of 30 mg/m3
[CITEPA]:
water wall + mist arrestor:
HCl emissions 10 – 15 mg/m3, investment costs: 450 kECU, operating costs: 14 kECU/a,
electricity hourly consumption: 100 kWh.
Counter current water packed scrubbing: HCl emissions 10 – 15 mg/m3, investment costs:
625 kECU, operating costs: 14 kECU/a, electricity 80 kWh.
[Rituper] reported emission levels < 10 mg/m3.
H2SO4 Pickling
H2SO4 Pickling
SO2 H2SO4
Specific Waste Gas Volume [m3/t] 50 - 110
Energy Consumption [MJ/t] 1 -2
Concentration [mg/Nm³] 8 - 20 1-2
Specific Emission [g/t] 0.4 0.05
Reduction rate1 > 95 % > 95 %
Method of analysis Infrared Titration
Table A.4-30: Emission levels achieved for HCl pickling by absorption towers
Economics:
Counter-current water scrubbing in packed columns

Production capacity 900000 t/a
Energy consumption (electrical) 0.68 kWh/t
Volume flow 10.6 Nm3/s
Investment cost 625 EUR ‘000
Operating costs 14 EUR ‘000
Table A.4-31: Estimated costs for counter-current water scrubbing in packed columns
[CITEPA]

A.4.2.2.19 Reduction of Emissions from Pickling/Closed Mixed Acid

Pickling Tanks with Exhaust Gas Scrubbing
Description: see Chapter D.5.2, D.5.3 (fabric filter) and D.5.8.3.

scrubbing with H2O2, NaOH, urea …

· Reduction of emissions to air, especially of fugitive acid fumes (HF and NOx).

Part A/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· Scrubbing with H2O2 results in a nitric acid by-product with a concentration that allows
recycling to the pickling process.
· Reduction of nitric acid consumption.
· Reduced waste water volume and waste water treatment sludge.
· In case of H2O2 or urea injection in the pickling bath, scrubbing water can be reused as
make up water in the pickling tanks.
· Scrubbing with sodium hydroxate results in a sodium nitrate waste which is disposed of.
Reference plants:
Thyssen Stahl, Krefeld, Germany [Met-Plant-Int-1-94]
Operational data:
[CITEPA] reported emission figures of 0.2 – 2 mg/m3 (max 17 mg/m3) for HF and
5 - 1000 mg/m3 for NOx.
Industry reported the lower end of the emission range to be 350 mg/Nm3 for NOx. [Com2 CR]
Economics:
A.4.2.2.20 Suppresion of NOx from Mixed Acid Pickling by Addition of

H2O2 (or Urea) to Pickling Bath

· Reduction of NOx emission.
Applicability:
· Reduction in acid consumption.
· Consumption of hydrogen peroxide (3 to 10 kg/t).
Reference plants:
Thyssen Stahl, Krefeld, Germany (urea addition) [Met-Plant-Int-1-94]
Operational data:
Addition of hydrogen peroxide suppresses the formation of gaseous NOx emissions by
reforming HNO3 in the pickle tank. Thus it is possible to reuse the acid part leading to a
reduction of acid consumption of up to 25 %.

[mg/Nm3] [g/t product] [%]
NOx 350 - 600 80 - 300 75 - 85 Chemiluminescence
HF 2-7 1 - 1.5 70 - 80 Titration
1
Reduction rate is a combination of H2O2 injection and exhaust absorber system.
Table A.4-32: Achievable emission levels by H2O2 injection

Part A/Chapter 4
For NOx suppression using urea addition to the pickling bath (plus gas washer), it was reported
that emissions were reliably below the NOx limit value of 850 mg/m3. Higher ammonia
contents in the waste water were reduced by aeration. [Met-Plant-Int-1-94]
Economics:
For a 70 % reduction of NOx, hydrogen peroxide addition cost of 4 kECU/kg NOx were
reported. [CITEPA]
For shallow bath turbulent pickling, the required dose rate of hydrogen peroxide may increases
dramatically. [Com2 CR] Hence for large pickling installations where the dose rate for
hydrogen peroxide would be excessive, other NOx reduction measrues, e.g. SCR system, can be
more appropriate.

A.4.2.2.21 NOx Reduction from Pickling by Selective Catalytic

Reduction
Description: for more detailed description see Chapter D.2.4

The technique of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) can be applied to the emissions from
mixed acid pickling. This comprises heating the NOx laden exhaust gas from the pickling tanks
to 280 - 450oC and injecting ammonia or urea. The gas stream is then passed over a catalyst and
the NOx reacts with the ammonia to form nitrogen and water.
SCR can be coupled with an additional HF reduction step which is either wet absorption or lime
treatment. [Com CR] In the latter, the waste gas is treated with lime prior to the SCR. HF reacts
with the lime to form fluor-spar, which, because of its high degree of purity, can be used as
secondary raw material. [CITEPA]

· Reduction of NOx (reduction efficency of up to 95 % with a typical range of 70 – 90 %.
The achieved NOx level depends on the initial concentration).
· If coupled with lime treatment, reduction of HF emissions.
Applicability:
· New plants and mayor modernisation of existing plants.
Reference plants: 3 units in Outokumpu Tornio Plant, Finland [Com2 FIN]

Operational data:
Economics: High capital cost, therefore only for large installations [Com CR]
A.4.2.2.22 NOx Reduction from Pickling by Non-Selective Catalytic

Reduction
Description: for more detailed description see Chapter D.2.5

· Reduction of NOx.

Part A/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· Energy consumption to heat exhaust gas to operating temperature for SNCR
Reference plants: not applied for mixed acid pickling.
Operational data and Economics:

To heat the exhaust gases from a process operating at ambient temperature up to the
temperature required for SNCR to operate (in the range of 900 - 1000oC) means, that the
running costs would be very high. Furthermore, the removal efficiency is lower than can be
achieved by the SCR technique, which requires a temperature of some 500 -600oC less than
SNCR for effective operation. [Com3 EUROFER] As there are other, NOx reduction measures
readily available, which are more suitable and more efficient, SNCR was not selected as BAT
for NOx reduction from mixed acid pickling.

A.4.2.2.23 Nitric Acid Free Pickling of Stainless Steel
Description: for more detailed description see Chapter D.5.8.2

· Reduction of NOx.
Applicability:
Reference plants: not applied for pickling of strip [Com2 CR]
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.24 Optimized Oil Use for Low Alloy and Alloy Steel
Description:
When oiling the sheet (with rolling oil or anticorrosive oil), optimisation of the oil spray
chambers or the oiling machines leads to a reduction in oil consumption. An electrostatic oiling
machine has the advantage that the oil flow can continuously be adapted to the required oil film
thickness at the actual line speed.
If the pickled sheet (product) is to be used for cold rolling, oiling with rolling oil may not be
required at the pickling line. On the other hand oiling with anticorrosive oil is not necessary if
the next process step follows immediately.

Applicability:
Reference plants:

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.25 Magnetic Pumps (Low Alloy and Alloy Steel)
Description:
Mechanical pumps need a constant gland water flow on the mechanical seals. Substitution of
mechanical by magnetic pumps reduces the water needs.

· Reduction of water consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.26 Acid Heating by Heat Exchangers
Description: see Chapter D.6

The use of heat exchangers avoids the dilution of the pickling acid that can occur with direct
steam injection.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.27 Acid Heating by Submerged Combustion
Applicability:

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.2.28 Treatment of Acidic Waste Water
Description:
Acidic waste water from rinsing and from fume absorbers of the pickling tank exhaust system,
if it cannot be used in the pickling tanks, and the waste water from flushing (plant cleaning)
require treatment prior to discharge. The waste water is neutralised (e.g. with alkaline waste
waters from other plant operations), dissolved metal ions are transformed into hydroxides or
sparingly soluble salts and subsequently eliminated by sedimentation, in many cases by adding
flocculants. The precipitated metal sludge is de-watered in filter presses and disposed of.

· Reduction of volume and contaminant load to water.
Applicability:
· Generation of a large quantity of sludge.
· The sludge, mainly consisting of iron hydroxide and water, can be recycled for iron
production as long as it is not contaminated by unacceptable metals (e.g. zinc) or by other
constituents. Care should be taken to avoid mixing of waste water streams or sludges which
can make recycling difficult.
· Neutralisation can also create large amounts of neutral salts (e.g. NaCl, CaCl2, Na2SO4,
CaSO4), most of which are very soluble in water and are discharged with the treated water.
Removal is only possible by very special, and in most cases uneconomical, treatment
(reverse osmosis, electrodialysis or evaporation followed by ion exchange and concentrate
evaporation with salt drying). Even if these salts are removed, their mixed composition
limits re-use and disposal to landfill may be restricted by their solubility.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Concentration Specific Emission Reduction rate1 Method of

[mg/l] [g/t product] [%] analysis
Suspended solids 50 2.86 > 90 DIN 38409-H2
Fe total 2 0.114 > 90 DIN 38406
Zn total 0.06 - 1 "
Ni total 0.1 - 0.5 "
Cr total 0.02 - 0.5 "
Cr VI 0.01 - 0.1 "
Temperature < 30 oC Thermometer
pH 6.5 - 9.5 DIN38404-C5
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CR]. Data based on weekly, volume proportional 24-h sampling
1
Table A.4-33: Pollutant concentration in water discharge of HCl pickling and regeneration plants
[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 4
Substance Concentration Type of sampling Measurements in 1998

in mg/l1) Operator/Comp.
authority
Oil < 0.28 Qualified random sample 12/6
Suspended solids < 10 Qualified random sample 12/6
Note: Source of data: Senator für Bau und Umwelt Bremen. Plant: Stahlwerke Bremen.
1)
Table A.4-34: Pollutant concentration in water discharge of HCl pickling and regeneration plants
[Com2 D]

Suspended solids 40 - 50 16 - 20 > 90 DIN 38409-H2
Fe total 1.4 - 2 0.3 - 0.5 > 95 DIN 38406
Zn total 0.15 - 1 "
Ni total 0.1 - 0.5 "
Cr total 0.5 "
Cr VI 0.01 - 0.1 "
Temperature < 30 oC Thermometer
pH 6.5 - 9.5 DIN38404-C5
1
Table A.4-35: Pollutant concentration in water discharge of H2SO4 pickling and regeneration
plants
Economics:
A.4.2.3 Rolling
A.4.2.3.1 Continuous instead of Conventional Discontinuous Rolling

for Low Alloy and Alloy Steel
Description: see Chapter A.2 Continuous Rolling

· Reduction in oil consumption.
· Reduction of electricity consumption.
Applicability:
· Applicable for installations with a high production capacity and the same kind of products.
· New installations or major modernisation of existing installations.
Reference plants:

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
· Continuous rolling coupled or full continuous can have a lot of advantages compared to
discontinuous rolling.
· Improvement of the material yield due to the better control of gauge for coil ends.
· Improvement on quality yield.
· Reduction in roll change frequencies.
Economics:

· Improved quality and increased yield.
A.4.2.3.2 Pickling Plant Coupled with the Tandem Mill
Description:
The coupling of an existing pickling line with an existing tandem mill is only beneficial when
the capacities of the two individual installations are well balanced.

· Reduced scrap (minimization of defects).
Applicability:
· For new installations or major modernisation of existing plants.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

· Reduced processing time, minimization of defects, increased yield.
A.4.2.3.3 Optimal Choice of Rolling Oil and Emulsion System
Description:
The proper choice of a tandem mill oil is important for quality reasons (good distillation
properties, easy removal in degreasing lines). Besides that, to limit the oil consumption, a
tandem mill oil must satisfy a number of performance criteria:
- Good lubrication characteristics allow a decrease in the oil consumption.
- An easy separation caused by accidental leakages from the hydraulic system or from the
Morgoil bearings is necessary. If separation is not possible, a partial or a complete renewal
of the emulsion is necessary.
- The actual process parameters (cold reduction, gauge, rolling forces, speed, roughness) and
the available emulsion preparation station determine the requirements on the stability of the
emulsion and on the dispersion of the oil in the emulsion.
- The quality of the oil has to remain unaffected by longer periods of line stop conditions
(stability of the emulsion, formation of bacteria) in order to avoid a need for the premature
disposal of the emulsion.

Part A/Chapter 4

· Reduction in oil consumption.
· Reduced disposal of waste emulsion.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.3.4 Continuous Monitoring of Emulsion Quality
Description:
The quality of the emulsion can be downgraded by a lot of accidents, which are difficult to
monitor: carry-over of acid from the pickling line, contamination from the emulsion cooling
water, contamination with hydraulic or Morgoil oil, destruction of the emulsion properties by
bacteria, or concentration of iron fines. These accidents very often result in a partial or a
complete renewal of the tandem emulsion. A regular or, if possible, a continuous measurement
of the important emulsion characteristics (oil concentration, pH, saponification index, acid
concentration, concentration of possible pollutants, concentration of iron fines etc.) offers the
possibility to detect and to cure anomalies in the emulsion quality.

· Reduction in oil/emulsion consumption.
· Reduction of waste emulsion to be treated and disposed of.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.3.5 Prevention of Contamination
Description:
A regular control of the seals and of the pipings helps to prevent leakage and thus
contamination of the rolling emulsion with hydraulic oil or Morgoil oil.

· Reduced emulsion consumption.
· Reduced waste water treatment and discharge.
Applicability:

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.3.6 Optimized Emulsion/Oil Use
The residual oil concentration left on the strip leaving the mill, which is responsible for the
major part of the oil consumption, is a function of the oil concentration in the last stand.
Therefore oil concentration in the last stand should be limited to the minimum required for
lubrication and the carry-over of emulsion from the previous stands, where the oil concentration
is higher, should be lower than the minimal working concentration. The possible measures
(separating the emulsion cellars, shielding of the mill stands) are specific for each installation.

· Reduction of oil consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.3.7 Cleaning and Reuse of Emulsion

Rolling emulsions from the mill stands are sprayed onto the rolls for cooling, lubrication and
cleaning. Contamination of the rolling emulsion occurs due to the pick up of particulate matter,
steel slivers, scale and dust. Nowadays emulsions systems are operated as circulation systems,
in which cleaning devices are integrated to maintain emulsion quality and thus minimize
damage to the surface finish of the strip.
Settling tanks, separators, mesh filters, magnetic filters etc. are used to remove impurities from
the emulsion. Only a partial flow needs to be discarded from the circuit and is treated in
emulsion splitting plants and finally discharged.

· Reduced consumption of new cold rolling emulsion.
· Reduced waste water volume.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4

A.4.2.3.8 Treatment of Spent Emulsion

The partial flow of the emulsion circuit cleaning system that is discarded, is de-oiled in an
emulsion splitting plant and/or split into oil sludge and water, and the purified water is then
discharged. The separated, oil-containing sludge may be e.g. used in the blast furnaces in an
integrated steel work.
Figure A.4-18 shows an example of an emulsion splitting system using electrolytic splitting.

· Reduced emissions to water.
Applicability:
Thermal Treatment:
· High energy consumption.
· Waste gas treatment required.
· Little COD in effluent [Woll].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
Chemical Treatment:
· Generation of additional oil-containing neutralisation sludges [Com D].
· Consumption of chemicals [Woll].
· COD in effluent [Woll].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
Electrolytical Treatment:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Part A/Chapter 4
Fresh Electrical
Water Energy
recycled on the mill

CENTRIFUGATION Separated Oil
S e p a ra te d O il
in blast furnaces or external
Electrical Energy
Oily Residues Polyelectrolyte
Electrical Energy
Salt, Acid Alkali, Polyelectrolyte
SPLITTING & SETTLING
USED EMULSION
Used SPLITTING & Cleaned
STORAGE MIXING TANK
Emulsion SETTLING Water
SKIMMING
SPLITTING & SETTLING

Oil Sludge
Oil Sludge
Return Water SLUDGE SETTLING

TANK
Oil Sludge
Figure A.4-18: Spent emulsion splitting system

[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 4

Tandem Mill Reversing Mill
Spent emulsion 5 -13 kg/t 0.06 m3/t
Industrial water 0.5 - 1 kg/t kg/t
Salt 0.025 - 0.05 kg/t 0.125 (NaCl) kg/t
Polyelectrolyte 0.003 - 0.005 kg/t 0.012 kg/t
Al-Anodes 0.003 - 0.006 kg/t 0.012 kg/t
Electrical energy 5 - 10 MJ/t 3 - 3.5 MJ/t
Purified waste water 5 - 13 kg/t 0.06 m3/t
Water (-> coke plant)
Oily sludge (disposal) 0.1 - 0.3 kg/t 1.9 kg/t
Oily sludge (internal recycling) 2.5 - 3.5 kg/t
Oil (+/- 20 % water, 1.3 - 2 kg/t
à blast furnace)
[mg/l] [kg/t product] [%] analysis
Settleable solids 7 - 10 5.8 - 8 E -5 > 90 DIN 38409-H9
S Hydrocarbons 6 - 18 5.2 - 18 E -5 > 90 DIN 38409-H18
Chlorides 800 -1400 6.7 - 10 E -3 DIN 38405-D1
Sulfide 0.004 - 0.4 3.3 - 330 E -8 DIN 38405-D26
NO2- 8 -10 8 - 9 E -5 DIN 38405-D19
Pb total 0.03 - 0.3 2.65 - 27 E -7 > 90 DIN 38406
As total 0.075 - 0.1 6.2 - 7.5 E -7 > 90 DIN 38406
Zn total 0.08 - 1.6 6.6 - 132 E -7 > 90 DIN 38406
Ni total 0.4 - 0.5 3.3 - 4 E -6 > 90 DIN 38406
Cr total 0.008 - 0.4 6.6 - 2500 E -8 > 90 DIN 38406
Cu total 0.06 - 0.4 5 - 33 E -7 > 90 DIN 38406
AOX 0.1 - 0.4 8.3 - 32 E -7 DIN 38409-H14
BTX 0.02 - 0.08 1.7 - 6.6 E -7 DIN 38407-F9
Temperature 28 oC Thermometer
pH 7.6 DIN 38405-C5
Notes:
- Source of data [EUROFER CR]
- Data based on weekly, volume proportional 24-h sampling
Table A.4-36: Operational data for electrolytic emulsion splitting
Economics:
Ultrafiltration:
· No chemical addition required [SIDMAR].
· No oily sludge is generated [SIDMAR].
· Nearly 100 % oil removal efficiency, independent of influent oil content [SIDMAR].
Reference plants: SIDMAR

Operational data:
Economics: saves costs

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.2.3.9 Extraction of Oil Mist Emissions and Oil Separation
Description:
Emulsion fumes from the mill stands are extracted and passed through separators for cleaning.
Eliminators containing baffle packing and impingement plates or mesh pads to separate the oil
from the extracted airflow and in some cases electrostatic precipitators are used. The separated
emulsion can be returned to the emulsion system.

· Reduction of emulsion fumes, efficiency > 90 %.
Applicability:
· Rolling and strip grinding operations.
· Oil recovered from the separators may be recircled, although in some cases the return of the
oil from the emulsion filters might be impossible due to the poor quality of the oil (bacteria)
[Com HR].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Tandem Mill Reversing Mill Reversing Mill

Low alloy High alloy
Emulsion Fume Steel fabric Steel fabric
Exhaust Separator n.a. droplet separator droplet separator
Volume [m3/t] 1850 - 2000 175 - 850 3000 - 12000
Energy [MJ/t] 5 -10 12 - 13 n.a.
Consumption
Achieved Emission Levels
Pollutant Dust2 Hydrocarbons1 Hydrocarbons1 Oil
Concentration [mg/m3] 10 -50 5 - 20 10 - 12 10 - 20
Specific Emission [g/t] 96 7 8.4 - 10.1 50 - 80
Reduction Rate3 [%] > 90 > 90 > 90 n.a.
1
as organic carbon, method of analysis Umwelt-BA EM-K1, EPA S 008
2
method of analysis EPA
3
Table A.4-37: Achievable emission levels for emulsion fume separation at rolling mills
Economics:
A.4.2.3.10 Cooling Water Cycles/Special Cooling Water systems
Description:
The heat generated during cold rolling is usually rejected via plate heat exchangers to cooling
water circuits. Water from these circuits may be recirculated to minimize consumption by
rejecting the heat via evaporative cooling towers or secondary cooling circuits.

Part A/Chapter 4
Special cooling water system:

The risk of contaminating the cooling water with oils can be minimized.
Reuse of cooling water:

Saving natural resources and energy in the cooling water cleaning system.

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Cooling Water System

Cooling water (re-circulating) 8400 m3/t
River water 7000 m3/t
Soft water 1 2.5 E -4 m3/t
NaOH 1.25 E -8 m3/t
Inhibitor 2.5 E -7 m3/t
Energy:
Electrical 0.004 GJ/t
Caloric 2 0.282 GJ/t
Cooling water (re-circulating) 8400 m3/t
Waste water (system drain water) 2.5 E -4 m3/t

Settleable solids (volume) 2-5 ml/l
Hydrocarbons (oil, grease) 2-5 mg/l 0.5 - 1.25 mg/t
Chlorides 50 mg/l 12.5 mg/t
Fe total 2 mg/l 0.5 mg/t
o
Temperature 35 C
pH 6.5 - 9.5
Electric conductivity 1.1 mS/cm
Notes: Source of data [EUROFER CR]
Data based on weekly, volume proportional 24-h sampling
1
only in case of system drainage
2
energy removed from tandem mill by cooling water
Table A.4-38: Consumption and emission levels for the cooling water system of a tandem mill
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.2.4 Annealing
A.4.2.4.1 Implementation of Degreasing Bath Cascades

èNo description and technical information submitted
A.4.2.4.2 Hot Water Pre-degreasing

A.4.2.4.3 Cleaning and Reuse of Degreasing Solution

High oil contents make the degreasing solution unusable and cleaning measures are applied to
extent the life span of the bath. Measures to clean the degreasing bath and to extend the lifetime
are:
Magnetic separators to remove the mixture of iron fines and oil.
Mechanical cleaning
Usually the emulsions of degreasing agents and oil/grease from the metal surface are unstable
and after some time they float on the surface of the bath. They can be removed by skimmers.
Suspended particles are removed by sedimentation in gravity separators. Mechanical cleaning
can extend the lifetime of degreasing baths 2 – 4 times.
Adsorption of surfactants and oil (precipitation followed by filtration).
Ultrafiltration

· Consumption of chemicals for new alkaline baths can be drastically reduced.
· Reduction of waste water treatment and discharge.
Applicability:
· Oil and grease arise as waste in the cleaning of degreasing solutions. This waste may be
used for energy recovery or has to be disposed of by incineration.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Table A.4-39 presents input/output data and effluent data for degreasing solution cycle of a
continuous annealing line, which is maintained by cleaning via ultrafiltration.

Part A/Chapter 4

Degreasing solution 50 - 60 kg/t
Demineralised water 0.3 - 0.4 kg/t
Degreaser 0.04 - 0.05 kg/t
Tempering fluid concentrate 0.15 - 0.2 kg/t
Electrical energy 4 -5 MJ/t
Cleaned degreasing solution 40 - 50 kg/t
Sludge 0.4 - 0.5 kg/t
Suspended solids 20 - 40 2.35 - 4.7 E -4 > 90 DIN 38409-H2
(filterable)
5 Hydrocarbons 5-8 5.9 - 9.4 E -5 > 90 DIN 38409-H18
(oil, grease)
Fe total 1 -2 1.2 - 2.4 E -5 > 90 DIN 38406
pH 6.5 - 9.5
1
Based on mass flow of constituent
Table A.4-39: Operational and effluent data for degreasing bath cleaning by ultrafiltration
Economics:
A.4.2.4.4 Treatment of Spent Degreasing Bath and Alkaline Waste

Water
Description: see also Chapter D.4.4 and D.4.5

Partial flows from the degreasing solution cleaning circuit, rinsing water from the electrolytic
degreasing and waste water from the skin pass mill stand, which cannot be reused in the mills,
have to be treated prior to discharge. Prior to treatment of the waste water withflocculants, the
oil contend has to be removed, e.g. by ultrafiltration. [Com2 D] Then the waste water is usually
neutralised with lime or HCl in a neutralisation plant, passed through filters and finally
discharged. The sludge is dewatered in filter presses and discharged for landfill deposit. The oil
sludge from the ultrafiltration plants can be used in the blast furnaces. [EUROFER CR]
Rinsing Water from
Degreasing &
Water from
Tempering Stand Pump Energy
Acid, Lime, Coagulant, Polyelectrolyte

ULTRAFILTRATION
WASTE WATER STORAGE,

Degreasing DEGREASING Filtrate NEUTRALISATION, Cleaned
Solution SOLUTION SEDIMENTATION, Water
STORAGE FILTRATION
RECIRCULATION Sludge
TANK
SLUDGE
DEWATERING
Return
Concentrate Water
(Oily Waste)
Sludge Cake
Figure A.4-19: Spent degreasing solution flow (example of a continuous annealing line)
[EUROFER CR]

Part A/Chapter 4

· Reduced emissions, especially oil, to water.
Applicability:
· Energy and raw material consumption.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Table A.4-40 presents input/output data and effluent data for alkaline (degreasing) waste water
treatment by ultrafiltration (continuous annealing line).

Raw waste water 12 - 15 kg/t
Citric acid occasionally kg/t
Electrical energy 1 - 1.5 MJ/t
Purified waste water 12 - 15 kg/t
Sludge kg/t
Suspended solids 20 - 40 2.35 - 4.7 E -4 > 90 DIN 38409-H2
(filterable)
5 Hydrocarbons 5-8 5.9 - 9.4 E -5 > 90 DIN 38409-H18
(oil, grease)
COD 5000 - 6000 5.9 - 7.1 E -5 > 50 DIN 38409-H44
pH 6.5 - 9.5
1
Table A.4-40: Operational and effluent data for alkaline waste water treatment
Economics:
A.4.2.4.5 Extraction System for Degreasing Facilities
Description:
Fumes from degreasing baths and the pre-cleaning section of continuous annealing lines are
extracted by an exhaust system and passed through gas scrubbers for cleaning. Recycled water
is used as an absorbent. Partial flow of the scrubbing water has to be discharged via the water
treatment facilities of the degreasing line or, respectively, the continuous annealing plant.

· Reduced fugitive emissions of degreasing fumes.
Applicability:
Reference plants:

Part A/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.4.6 Special Cooling Water Systems and Water Reuse

A.4.2.4.7 Batch Annealing with 100 % Hydrogen
Description:
Batch annealing 100 % hydrogen may be used instead of hydrogen/nitrogen.

· Reduction in specific energy consumption (reduced from 700 MJ/t when annealing under
H2N2 to 422 MJ/t under 100 % hydrogen atmosphere) [EUROFER CR].
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.4.8 Continuous Instead of Batch Annealing
Description: Continuous annealing instead of conventional batch annealing can be used for
some parts of the product range.
Applicability: For new installations or major modernisation of existing plants.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.4.9 Preheating Combustion Air/Use of Regenerative or

Recuperative Burners for Annealing Furnace
Description: see Chapters D.1.1 and D.1.2

· Reduction in energy consumption.
Applicability:

Part A/Chapter 4
· Potential increased NOx emission level (concentration).
Reference plants: - British Steel Stainless, Sheffield.
Operational data:
Example
The 'old' annealing furnace for stainless strip was operated with 3 individually controlled zones,
but at the same temperature of about 1100 °C, heated by electric elements mounted in the
sidewalls. Maximum throughput was 1 t/h. In 1989 structural modification were done to
increase capacity and to improve circulation of furnace gas. The 3 zones remained, but the first
two were equipped with two pairs of 5.5 therm/h integral bed burners (IBB), in the third zone a
self-recuperative burner was installed.
NOx emissions were measured at burner firing rates of 21 – 84 % of maximum and ranged from
225 – 317 ppm corrected to 3 % oxygen (460 – 650 mg/m3).
Assuming a mean throughput of 100 t/week and 46 production weeks per year, the primary
energy consumption was reduced by 50.6 % (taking into account the primary energy
consumption at power station for the former electrical heating system). Payback period in that
case study was 5.5 years, but payback time depends to large extend on the energy costs (fuel,
gas, electricity etc.). Calculated payback periods for other scenarios were reported: 2.5 years for
₤2.93/GJ gas and ₤ 11.77/GJ electricity. [ETSU-FP-64]
Economics:
A.4.2.4.10 Reduction in NOx Emission by Low-NOx burner

The generation of NOx resultant from the combustion processes can be reduced by selection of
low-NOx burners.

· Reduced NOx emissions.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Part A/Chapter 4
Concentration Emission Reduction1 Methode of analysis

[mg/m³] [kg/t product] [%]
Dust 5 - 10 EPA
SO2 60 - 100 9 - 14 E -03 Infrared, UV-fluorescence
NO2 2 150 - 380 25 - 110 E -02 60 Chemiluminescence
(NBN T94-303)
CO 40 - 100 15 - 40 E -03 87 Umweltbundesamt-EM-K1,
IR-spectrometry
CO2 200000 - 220000 31200 0 IR-absorptions-spectrometry
m³ are based on standard conditions; (waste gas 10000 – 16000 m3/h, 200 - 250 m3/t)
1
reduction rate based on mass flow of constituent
2
reference 3 % O2, mg/m³ dry
Table A.4-41: Achievable emission levels with low-NOx burners on batch anealing furnaces
Concentration Emission Reduction1 Methode of analysis

[mg/m³] [kg/t product] [%]
Dust 10 - 20 0.16 – 0.32 EPA
SO2 50 - 100 0.08 – 1.6 Infrared, UV-fluorescence
NO2 2 400 - 650 0.14 - 0.22 60 Chemiluminescence
(NBN T94-303)
CO 50 - 120 0.08 - 0.2 87 Umweltbundesamt-EM-K1,
IR-spectrometry
CO2 180000 - 250000 62.5 - 86.8 0 IR-absorptions-spectrometry
m³ are based on standard conditions; (waste gas 350 – 400 m3/t)
1
reduction rate based on mass flow of constituent
2
reference 3 % O2, mg/m³ dry
Table A.4-42: Achievable emission levels with low-NOx burners on continuous annealing furnaces
Economics:
Investment costs of 100 kECU (for continuous annealing furnace, capacity: 540000 t/a) were
reported. [CITEPA]

A.4.2.4.11 Preheating the Feedstock
Description:
Preheating the material in the continuous annealing line with waste gas:
This can either be done by a direct contact between the strip and the flue gases or the heat can
be transferred to the strip by the protective gas heated by the waste gas in heat exchangers.
A direct contact is only possible in controlled circumstances (depending on temperature of the
gas and of the strip, oxidation potential of the gas, moisture, contamination of the gas with
particles). The result is a reduction of energy consumption.


Part A/Chapter 4
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.4.12 Heat Utilisation for Heating Degreasing Bath

A.4.2.5 Tempering
A.4.2.5.1 Optimisation of Emulsion System
Description:
a) Use of low pressure sprays for the emulsion
Atomisation of the temper rolling emulsion has to be minimized by the use of the appropriate
type of spray nozzles at the appropriate pressure.
b) Adapt the number of emulsion jets to the width of the strip
Since the temper rolling emulsion is not recycled, optimisation of the spray patterns reduces
emulsion consumption.

· a) Reduced oil emissions.
· b) Reduced oil consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.5.2 Change to Dry Temper Process
Description:

· No oil consumption.
Applicability:
· Generates emissions to air.
· Requires an exhaust system and generates waste (filter dust).

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.5.3 Cleaning of Temper Mill Emulsion
Description:
The used temper mill emulsion has to be cleaned before disposal. This emulsion is generally
treated together with the tandem mill emulsion and the other oily residues in the emulsion
treatment system.

Applicability:
· Energy and raw material consumption.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.5.4 Reduction of Oil Mist and Dust

Description:
Oil mist and dust are extracted via an exhaust system, equipped with wet or dry filters. Also oil
mist eliminators (mechanical) and cyclones may be applied.

· Reduced oil emissions.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Concentration Specific Reduction rate1 Specific Method of analysis

[mg/Nm3] Emission [%] Volume
[g/t product] [m3/t]
Example: Steel fabric droplet separator
Hydrocarbon 5 - 15 0.273 > 90 90 - 110 Umwelt-BA EM-K1
Table A.4-43: Achievable emission levels for fabric droplet separators

Part A/Chapter 4
Oil mist emissions reported by [CITEPA]: ~ 10 mg/m3
Economics:
Oil mist eliminator: investment costs: 375 kECU (125 for oil abatement, 250 for dust),
operating costs: 6 kECU/a, electricity: 70 kWh [CITEPA]
Cyclone: investment costs: 25 kECU, operating costs: 2.5 kECU/a electricity 45 kWh
[CITEPA]

A.4.2.6 Finishing
A.4.2.6.1 Capture and Abatement of Oil Mists from Oiling Operation
Description:
Oil emissions that arise from spraying oil mist on strips for conservation reasons, can be
reduced by extraction hoods, followed by mist eliminator (baffle-type) and electrostatic
precipitator. The oil captured in the mist eliminator can be recircled into the oiling process.

· Reduction of fugitive oil mist emissions.
· Reduced oil consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants: Stahlwerke Bremen.
Operational data:
Example
By the described measure it is possible to capture the mist arising from oiling almost completely
(visual judgement: all visible emissions are captured). The mist eliminator efficiency was
reported to be 72 %. Measurements of the waste gas showed concentrations of oil droplets after
the mist eliminator, but before the EP, of up to 296 mg/m3 (average 104 mg/m3). The maximum
concentration measured after EP was 6.3 mg/m3 with an average emission of 3.0 mg/m3. The
efficiency of the EP was between 97 and 98 %. The carbon contents of the unabated waste gas
was measured 17.5 to 21.3 mg/m3; behind the EP around 10.6 to 11.9 mg/m3.
[UBA-Kloeckner-82]
Economics:
A.4.2.6.2 Electrostatic Oiling

A.4.2.6.3 Optimization of Oil Spray


Part A/Chapter 4

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.6.4 Dust Reduction from Levelling and Welding
Description:
Particulate emissions from welding and levelling are captured by hoods and abated by fabric
filters. [CITEPA]

· Reduction of emissions to air, especially fugitive dust.
Applicability:
· Generation of waste (filter dust).
Reference plants:
Operational data and economics::

Dust emission 5 – 30 mg/m3 were reported in [CITEPA] for an installation operated 5 % of the
time to reduce emissions from welding (discontinuously) and continuously for dust reduction
from levelling. The hourly electricity demand was 110 kWh (0.64 kWh/t). [CITEPA]
Investment costs of 625 kECU (for collection devices, pipes, filters, fans, electrical equipment,
motors hood) and operating costs of 10 kECU were reported. [CITEPA]
Other sources [Vanroosb 3.4] reported for an installation that is filtering the exhaust gases from
the stretcher leveller, the welding machine and the leveller the decoiler dust emission values of:
16 - 7 - 39 - 22 - (change of bags) - 24 - 29 - 35 - 39 mg/Nm³.
Each emission value is the result of 6 isokinetically taken samples on 6 different places in the
cross section of the chimney. There are therefore 2 sampling points at 90 ° of each other. Each
sampling campaign takes about 6 hours. Sampling frequency is about 6 times per year.
Installation data:
Filter area 687 m²
Number of filter bags 441
Dimensions filter bags Dia 120 mm x length 4030 mm
Type of filter bags PE/PE - weight 550 g/m² - thickness 1.9 mm - density 0.29 g/cm³ -
air permeability 150 l/dm²; min at 196 Pa (20 mm water column)
Number of exhaust fans 3 x 55 kW - 1470 rev/min
Gas flow (design) 90000 m³/h
Pressure drop (design 120 daPa
Cleaning cycle 50 msec at a pressure of 4 - 6 bar [Vanroosb 3.4]

Part A/Chapter 4
Bags are changed when it is observed that the bags present cracks. This change takes about 50
manhours and requires a stop of the pickling line of at least 2 shifts - the cost is about 400000
BEF (10000 EUR). [Vanroosb 3.4]

A.4.2.6.5 Optimised Finishing Operation


· Scrap reduction.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.2.7 Roll Shop
A.4.2.7.1 Cleaning and Reuse of Grinding Emulsion

A.4.2.7.2 Exhaust System (PRETEX/SBT)

A.4.2.7.3 Reduction and Recycling of Scrap

Description:
Internal recycling options for scrap (from trimming, finishing, etc.).
Good process control helps to reduce material losses [Com D].
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.3 Wire Mill

Description:
All storage tanks for both fresh and spent acid must be equipped with an efficient and sealed
secondary containment and if required also with protective shields. This secondary containment
must be completely protected with an acid-resistant coating which must be regularly controlled
on potential damage and cracks.
Furthermore the loading and unloading area for the acids must be designed in such a way that
any potential leak is directly discharged to the waste water treatment plant or can be collected
separately.

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.2 Mechanical Descaling
A.4.3.2.1 External Recycling of Scale

Description:
The bulk of descaling in wire industry is done by reverse bending, leading to a scale which
consists mainly of metal oxides and which is oil- and water-free. Due to bending and torsion of
the wire, the scale breaks and drops into collection containers. All wire companies can keep
scale separated from other waste streams to allow recovery of the iron content by recycling to
the primary iron and steel industry. Whether recycling is done or not, depends to a large extend
on the interest of the local steel industry, that has not much to win by the recycling of this small
amount of rather difficult to handle secondary raw material. [CET-BAT]
In some exceptional cases where abrasives are used (e.g. shot-blasting, sanding etc.), scale gets
mixed with other products. Recovery of shot-blasting media from scale is a common practice
with both economical (less consumption) and environmental (less waste) benefits. Infinite
recovery is not possible and not desired (quality loss, higher degree of dust formation).
[CET-BAT]

● Reduction of waste [CET-BAT].
Applicability:
● New and existing plants.
● Technically possible for all scale from mechanical descaling of wire (rod).
● Limitation of recycling not due to technical factors, but due to acceptance by the potential
recycler [CET-BAT].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.3.3 Chemical Descaling / Pickling of Wire Rod
A.4.3.3.1 Optimum Range of Operation for HCl Pickling Baths

As chemical pickling of wire rod is mostly done in batch operation as pickling is done in job
galvanizing, in principle the same good operational practice and reduction measures can be
applied.

· Reduction of acid emissions to air.
Applicability:
The acid concentration chosen according to the VDI-guideline is lower than typically used for
wire rod pickling (see A.3.3.2.2. for typical process conditions). This results in:
· Lower conversion of the acid from HCl to FeCl2, which implies a higher consumption of
fresh HCl [Com2 BG].
· Reuse of spent acid as secondary raw material becomes very difficult; for reuse for the
production of FeCl3, a minimum concentration of 10 % Fe is requested; this high Fe-
concentration can only be achieved with a high conversion of HCl and with a high initial
concentration of HCl [Com2 BG].
· Increased pickling time, which implies investment in more and/or bigger pickling tanks.
Increased bath surface leads to more g/h HCl-evaporation. [Com2 BG].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics: Due to increased pickling time, investment in more and/or bigger pickling tanks
mab be necessary. [Com2 BG]
A.4.3.3.2 Pickling Tank Fume Control

Vapour and aerosols coming off pickling tanks can be controlled by a variety of collection
system designs, e.g lateral extractors or hoods and covers installed above or around a single
pickling bath or a group of pickling baths. The air above the baths is extracted and send to a
stack. In case of continuous, in-line pickling the same measures as for pickling in cold rolling
mills can be applied.

● Reduction of fugitive emissions from pickling (acid vapour and aerosols).
Applicability:
Hoods
● New pickling lines or in case of major revamps of existing plants.
● Retrofitting of existing open baths by adding a cover or a hood over a pickling bath or a
group of pickling baths, is only possible at extremely high costs. It requires a completely
new internal transport system, requires to change the way the pickling process is controlled,
(as the operator has no visual control anymore, a switch to an automated system is
imposed), and generally requires some changes to building and infrastructure.

Part A/Chapter 4
Lateral Extraction
● Extraction (large volumes) may course more emission as, due to vapour pressure, the
extracted vapour over the bath is replaced to yield equilibrium.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
Improvement of working environment, protection of installation and equipment
A.4.3.3.3 Treatment of Extracted Air from Pickling Tank Fume Control
Description:
The type of treatment and the necessity depend largely on the type of acid (HCl, H2SO4,
others,…) and the way the pickling bath is operated (heated or not, use of inhibitors or
surfactants, degree of agitation). Available abatement techniques are packed or plate scrubbers
and entrainment separators (demisters).
For H2SO4 or H3PO4 baths, even when heated, the acid vapour pressure is very low, so
treatment of the extracted air is not needed unless droplets are emitted. In this case the entrained
acid droplets can be removed from the exhaust gas by dry fume filters. The removed acid can
be returned into the pickling tank. Only little water is needed to, occasionally, wash the filter
medium. [CET-BAT]
For HCl pickling baths, depending on the concentration of the HCl, the bath temperature, the
number of wire rod coils treated per time unit or the presence of additives, wet scrubbers. are
used to reduce the emission of HCl vapour and aerosols. Plate scrubbers can operate on small
amounts of scrubbing water compared to packed scrubber, resulting in a small volume of quite
strong acid effluent. This effluent can be recirculated into the pickling tank. [CET-BAT],
[N.Stone 2]

● Reduction of acid vapour, droplets and aerosol emissions.
Applicability:
● New and existing plants with pickling tank fume extraction.
Reference plants:
Most installations for pickling of wire rod, built in the last -/+ 10 years, have scrubbers on the
exhaust from the HCl baths. [CET-BAT]
Operational data:
Typical emission limits are: < 20 to < 30 mg/Nm3. This can be reached without significant
problems with a demister (for H2SO4) or with a scrubber (for HCl). [CET-BAT]
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.3.3.4 Cascade Pickling
Description:
Cascade pickling is performed in two or more baths in series. The acid flows (continuously or
discontinuously) in counter flow from one bath to the next. This allows to achieve a very
efficient use of the acid while still reaching good pickling quality. [CET-BAT]

● Reduced consumption of fresh acid.
● Reduced spent acid (waste).
Applicability:
● Existing plants available space might be a limiting factor.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
Costs include:
- larger building, including larger acid proof floor surface and larger secondary containment
- extra tank, circulation pump, possibly extra exhaust system
- more complex process control software for follow-up of pickling bath composition and level
- often, different types of wire rod require different contact times. If this is the case, also
specific process control software for scheduling and follow-up of the movements of the
different rolls is required.
Estimation: 0.2 - 0.4 M Euro depending on capacity.

A.4.3.3.5 Minimizing Carry-out from Pickling
Description:
Minimizing carry-out requires sufficient time for the acid to drip of the wire rod coils. This can
be done by lifting the wire rod coil slowly from the last acid-bath of the cascade and then
allowing several seconds of dripping time above the acid bath before moving the wire rod coil
to the first bath of the rinsing cascade. Dripping off can be enhanced e.g. by vibrating the wire
rod coil.

● Reduced carry-out of acid, reduced consumption of fresh acid.
● Reduced pickling loss.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Part A/Chapter 4
Economics:
A.4.3.3.6 Separation and Reuse of Free Acid Fraction

Description: see also Chapter D.5.9
Various methods are available to separate free acid from bounded acid. The free acid output
stream is reused in the pickling process. This technique has no added value when cascade
pickling of wire rod is applied, as cascade pickling allows to convert nearly all acid to metal
salts (no or only little free acid). In other words, separation and reuse of the free acid fraction is
an alternative to cascade pickling (see A.4.3.2.2).
For H2SO4, crystallisation of FeSO4.7H2O and reuse of the liquid phase (containing H2SO4) is a
common technology that is economically viable if FeSO4.7H2O can be marketed as a by-
product.
For HCl, evaporation of HCl is a technically available but rarely used because of the important
investment and energy costs.
Other methods described in literature, such as acid retardation or membrane processes, are
generally not feasible (short lifetime of membranes in the presence of additives to the acid and
impurities in technical acid as well as blocking of membrane pores by FeCl2).
Solvent extraction is not considered as separation method because of the use of dangerous
chemical products in the extraction process. Any malfunctioning of the recovery unit brings
solvent where it is not supposed to be, resulting in hazwaste or spills to the waste water that are
not removed in a typical waste water treatment station. [CET-BAT]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.3.7 Regeneration of Spent Acid

Description: see also D.5.10
Roasting of hydrochloric acid: heating of spent acid in presence of oxygen; vapour phase
process at elevated temperature. All acid is converted to free acid; metals are converted to
metal oxides. Oxidation chamber and acid recovery unit have to be made from extremely
corrosion resistant materials. HCl can be upgraded to a quality suited for chemical pickling;
metal oxides are either dumped or used as secondary raw material. [CET-BAT]
A viable roasting plant has a capacity of an order of magnitude higher than the output of spent
acid of a typical wire plant. [CET-BAT]

Part A/Chapter 4

● Reduction of acidic waste.
Applicability:
● Regeneration plants require a minimum capacity, a minimum amount of spent acid to be
treated which is far beyond the spent acid generated at a single wire plant.
● Wire industry depends on outside contractors for the recycling of spent acid.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.3.8 Reuse of Spent Acid as Secondary Raw material
Description:
The chemical industry uses spent acid as a secondary raw material for the production of FeCl3
and, to a minor extent, for pigments. The possibility to recycle spent acid for the production of
valuable chemicals is available in many regions in Europe. Some contractors impose or have to
impose strict limits for some metal impurities in the spent acids. A few contractors have
recently developed and patented special processes to remove e.g. Zn or Pb from some types of
spent acid. [CET-BAT]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.3.9 Minimize Rinsing Water Consumption by Cascade Rinsing

The wire rod coil is rinsed several times in separate tanks, each time in cleaner water. Only to
the last bath, fresh rinsing water is supplied. Each bath flows over to the previous one.

● Reduction of water consumption (by an order of magnitude less than single step rinsing)
[CET-BAT].
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Part A/Chapter 4
Economics:
A.4.3.4 Shot Blast Descaling: Separation of Scale and Blast media

Description:
Shot blasting is possible as in-line or bulk processing. It involves the propulsion of thousands of
steel shot particles per second, towards the surface of the material. This causes the scale to
break and fall off the base metal. The shot blast or blast cleaning system consists of:
1. A cabinet to house and contain the descaling operation.

2. A series of blast wheels of varying power depending on required line speeds, production
requirements, etc.
3. A reclaim system to return used shot or media to a recycling system.
4. A recycling system where media is cleaned and small particles of dust and scale are
removed.
5. A storage area within the system where shot is stored before being distributed once again to
the blast wheels.
6. A dust collection system.
The blast cabinet is a confined enclosure where the blast descaling operation takes place. A
series of blast wheels are mounted to the cabinet and propel the media, usually steel shot, by
centrifugal force towards the wire.
The reclaim system provides a means to retrieve the used shot and dust from the descaling
operation and brings it to the recycling system.
Recycling of the shot media involves separating the good reusable media from the contaminants
and dust gathered in the mix. By passing the collected media through an air wash separator, the
fine dusts and smaller contaminants are drawn from the system by a vacuum effect leaving the
cleaned shot particles to be returned to a storage system. From this storage system, the media
will be distributed through a series of controls or valves back to the blast wheels. By
synchronizing the entire system, a continuous flow of media is directed toward the work to
achieve the desired results in the fastest and most expedient manner.
Stream descaling
This method involves pre-descaling of wire rod by bending and torsion and fluidization of the
scale obtained in this descaling. In a special chamber the fluidized scale is then blown onto the
wire rod surface by means of jet pumps and compressed air. The rod is descaled to its metallic
surface. The scale is transported to a dust collection system (cyclone, cloth filter) by the
compressed air. Coarse scale is returned to the jet pumps and used again. The fine scale is
utilized as a component in the production of paints.
This method is reported to be applicable to low carbon steel wire rod and high carbon steels.
Initial investment costs and space requirements are reported to be very low. Another advantage
is that no other media as shot or grit is needed.

· Scale is collected separately and can be reused.
· Consumption of shot-blasting media is reduced.
Applicability:

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Stream descaling: Wire Factory in Gliwice, Poland application low carbon wire, reduced
production costs (planned or implemented?)
Operational data:
Economics:
Stream descaling:
'A new Method of mechanical Descaling of Carbon Steel Wire Rods', Conference Proceedings –
Wire association International Incororated, 65th Annual Convention Atlanta, 1995.
A.4.3.5 Dry Drawing
A.4.3.5.1 Control of Air Emissions from Drawing Machines / Treatment

of Extracted Air
Description:
A hood or cover is installed above parts of the drawing machine that are in contact with the
wire. The cover needs to be designed in a way that it can be removed easily for frequent tasks,
such as threading a wire through the machine, fixing a broken wire, adjusting or replacing a die
or adding soap. The air within the cover is extracted.
The extracted air can be treated by a filter or similar device to capture soap dust.

● Reduction of emissions to air, especially of fugitive soap dust [CET-BAT].
Applicability:
● New plants.
● Technical problems expected in existing plant due to design reasons.
Reference plants:
All recent dry drawing machines are for a large extend enclosed [CET-BAT].
Operational data:
Economics:
The goal is to limit the spread of lubricant-dust over the area around the drawing machine.
100 % elimination of soap dust is impossible (e.g. soap dust leaving the drawing machine with
the drawn wire). This is mainly done to improve the working environment. [CET-BAT]
A.4.3.5.2 Closed Loop for Cooling Water
Description:
The drawing operation heats both wire and drawing die through friction of the wire. So both
the dies and the wire (indirectly, through cooling of the capstans in contact with the wire) are
water cooled. In order to reuse the cooling water, the water circuit is equipped with a wet
cooling tower, an air cooler or similar device. [CET-BAT]

Part A/Chapter 4

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.6 Wet Drawing
A.4.3.6.1 Closed Loop for Cooling Water
Description:
The drawing operation heats both wire and drawing die through friction of the wire. This heat
is taken up by the lubricant. The lubricant on its turn is cooled, often this is done indirectly with
cooling water. [CET-BAT]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.6.2 Cleaning of Drawing Lubricant / Coolant

Wire drawing lubricants, water-miscible oil emulsions or straight oils, accumulate metal fines
during operation. As the contents of fines increases, operational problems develope, such as
wire-drawing breaks, capstan wear and poor quality of wire, requiring replacement of the
lubricant. Media filtration and/or centrifuges are used to clean the lubricant and to prolong the
life-cycle. [El-Hindi]

· Reduction of waste drawing lubricant [El-Hindi].
Applicability:
· Generation of waste filter media [El-Hindi].

Part A/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Cleaning of drawing lubricant, can improve the operational behavior as it reduces wire-drawing
breaks and improves the wire quality (thus reducing also operational problems downstream).
[El-Hindi]
Economics:
Reference literature: [El-Hindi]
A.4.3.6.3 Treatment of Waste Drawing Lubricant: Oil and Oil emulsions

· Reduced disposal volume.
· In case of incineration, thermal utilisation of waste.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
· Reduced waste disposal costs.
Economics:
A.4.3.6.4 Treatment and Disposal of Waste Drawing Lubricant: Soap

Emulsions
Description:
For soap emulsions based on a fatty acid alkali soap the treatment depends on the amount of
waste lubricant. In case the quantities are small compared to other waste waters of the plant, the
spent lubricant is mixed with other waste waters. The soaps are bounded in the filter cake
during almost all existing water treatment methods for acidic waste waters. If a biological
treatment is used, the fatty acid soaps are well biodegradable. [CET-BAT]
If the quantities are comparably big, the spent lubricants are treated separately by coagulation
and precipitation, coagulation and flotation, membrane filtration, evaporation or other suited
methods. [CET-BAT]

Applicability:

Part A/Chapter 4
· Generation of sludge and filter cake from water treatment.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.7 Batch Annealing of Wire
A.4.3.7.1 Burn Purge of Protective Gas
Description:
In order to keep an over-pressure in the "pots" or "bells", a fraction of the protective gas is
continuously purged.
This gas stream contains - apart from the components of the actual protective gas, decompo-
sition products of the lubricant. These are formed by pyrolisis / cracking of the lubricant
molecules; typical decomposition products are low molecular weight olefins and alkanes.
These volatile organic components and the combustible components in some types of protective
gasses (CO, H2), should be converted to harmless products. As the purge is a very small flow of
combustible gas, this is simply done in an open flame. [CET-BAT]

· Reduced emissions to air.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.8 Continuous (In-line) Annealing of Low Carbon Wire
A.4.3.8.1 Lead-bath: Good Housekeeping
Description:
The most important house-keeping methods are:
- Maintain a protective layer (particulate material) or cover on the lead-bath to minimize loss
of lead by oxidation and drastically reduce energy losses of the lead bath.
- Prevent formation of dust while removing impurities from the lead-bath.
- Keep containers with lead contaminated waste in a separate area, protect this waste from
any contact with wind or rain.
- Minimize drag-out of lead with the wire by maintaining a suited surface condition on the
half-product (both economically and environmentally attractive).

Part A/Chapter 4
- Minimize drag-out of lead with the wire by using an anthracite gravel wipe or similar
immediately after the lead bath.
- Apply a method that minimizes / eliminates the spread of lead dust that is possibly dragged
out with the wire. In many production lines, this is done by coupling the in-line heat-
treatment to in-line pickling. Other methods are: coating of the wire with a suitable product
or adapted packaging of the wire. [CET-BAT]

· Reduce emissions from lead bath (Pb from bath itself, CO and TOC from incomplete
burning of residues on the wire [CET-BAT].
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
By good house-keeping methods, it is perfectly possible to run a lead-bath at very low
emissions of below 5 mg Pb/Nm3, 100 mg CO /Nm3 and 50 mg TOC /Nm3. [CET-BAT]
Economics:
A.4.3.8.2 Recycling of Pb-containing Residues
Description:
Some Pb-containing residues originate from the Pb-bath (waste bath cover material, lead
oxides). These residues should be stored separately and protected from rain and wind. The
wire industry depends on subcontractors for the final disposal or recycling of these residues.
Normally Pb-containing waste is recycled by the non-ferro industry (Pb-smelters). [CET-BAT]

· Reduced waste disposal.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part A/Chapter 4
A.4.3.8.3 Operation of Quench Bath and Treatment of Waste Water

from Quench baths from In-Line Annealing
Description:
As the water quality requirements for this bath are generally low, it is advised to use
recuperated water for this purpose or to operate the quench bath in closed loop. [CET-BAT]
Waste water from a quench bath should be treated in such a way that contamination (mainly
contamination with insoluble Pb(OH)2 and PbCO3) is removed in a satisfactory way prior to
discharge. [CET-BAT]
Remark:
1) Each site has to determine its own waste water treatment facility in such a way that it can
handle the mix of waste waters that originates at that site. This mix is different for each site,
and is highly dependent on the product range of that site (use of acid or not, availability of
recycling services for spent acid or not, use of wet drawing emulsions or not, use of plating
baths or not + type of plating baths,...) and on the local environmental requirements.
2) If a heat treatment without protective atmosphere is used (e.g. a heat treatment involving the
use of a molten Pb-bath), then also acid pickling is used Þ at least spent rinsing water
containing acid and iron has to be treated. In this case, most wire plants use a traditional
physico-chemical waste water treatment, in other words neutralisation with lime milk followed
by precipitation of Fe and Pb + other heavy metals, followed by decantation and filter-pressing
of the cake. [Com BG2]

Applicability:
· Generation of waste/sludges from waste water treatment.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.9 Continuous (In-line) Annealing of Stainless Steel Wire

Refer to A.4.3.5.1
A.4.3.10 Patenting
A.4.3.10.1 Optimised Operation of the Oven
Description:
A slightly substochiometric mixture is used in the burners. In this way, all O2 is excluded from
the oven atmosphere, in order to minimize the formation of iron oxides at the wire surface.

Part A/Chapter 4
Excessive formation of iron oxide leads to high losses of wire material and to excessive
consumption of pickling acid, and leads to excessive dragout of lead. [CET-BAT]
Excess CO must be converted to CO2 by adding air in a controlled way to the hot exhaust of the
oven. The CO-content of the oven atmosphere and the exhaust gas must be controlled regularly,
e.g. after every major change in the product mix or at least every month. [CET-BAT]
Because of the heating method, NOx formation is not an issue. [CET-BAT]

· Reduced consumption in following process steps (e.g. acid).
· Reduced CO-content.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
A.4.3.10.2 Lead-bath: Good Housekeeping

Refer to A4.3.6.1
A.4.3.10.3 Recycling of Pb-containing Residues

Refer to A.4.3.6.2
A.4.3.10.4 Operation of Quench Bath and Treatment of Waste Water

from Quench Baths of Patenting Line
Refer to A.4.3.6.3
A.4.3.11 Oil Hardening and Tempering

Refer to A.4.3.5.1
A.4.3.11.2 Extraction of Oil Mists from Quench Baths and Abatement
Description:
Evacuation of the oil mist and removal of the oil mist from the extracted air.

· Reduction of fugitive air emissions, especially oil emissions.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Part A/Chapter 4
Economics:
A.4.3.12 Heat Treatment of wire (different processes)
A.4.3.12.1 Inductive Heating of Wire
Description:
The wire to be heated is guided through a coil; in this coil a magnetic field is generated.
Typically, applied frequencies are 5 - 50 kHz (mid-frequent heating). Exceptionally, high-
frequent heating (well above 50 kHz) is used. This magnetic field induces an electric current in
the wire; the wire is heated through the Joule effect of the induced current. The induced current
is mainly in a small layer towards the outside of the wire section; this phenomenon is called the
"skin-effect".
The applicability of inductive heating is highly dependent on wire material, wire diameter and
required temperature increase:
· Material is preferably magnetic.
Steel and certain steel alloys are magnetic. Most types of stainless steel are non-magnetic.
Most metal coatings are non-magnetic.
· Wire diameter is preferably high, e.g. above 2 - 3 mm.
The smaller the diameter, the higher the frequency should be in order to maintain a
sufficient skin-effect.
· Above the "Curie-temperature", a magnetic material looses its magnetic properties. Steel
looses its magnetic properties at approx. 760 °C.
Applications outside this range are available. However, expensive high-frequency equipment
has to be used and energetic efficiency is on average lower.
The vast majority of the applications of inductive heating are found in single wire lines.
Induction heating in a single wire line concept can be used for austenitising and tempering.
Austenitising is the first step of several thermal treatment operations: patenting (see A.2.3.4.4),
oil hardening (see A.2.3.4.5) and tempering (described in A.2.3.4.5. and A.2.3.4.6).
An exact control of the wire temperature is a necessity for these thermal treatments.
Induction heating in a multi-wire line concept can be used for preheating of the wires (e.g. to
the Curie-temperature). Another application is diffusion of Cu and Zn coatings on a steel wire
in order to obtain a brass coated wire.

Air emissions from combustion are avoided in the plant.
Applicability:
The applicability of inductive heating in a single wire line concept is quite wide and includes
applications where exact temperature control is required.
Use of inductive heating in a multi-wire line concept is limited to applications where exact
temperature control is not an issue, e.g. preheating.
Applicability is dependent on wire properties. See above.

Part A/Chapter 4
Consumption of fuel (typically NG or LPG) is replaced by consumption of electricity. When
taking into account the fuel consumption of electricity generation, this cross-media effect is
negligible.
Typical electrical energy efficiencies of mid-frequent inductive heating are in the range
60 - 85 %. Typical energy efficiency of a NG-based heating method for similar applications is
25 - 45 %. Taking into account the efficiency of NG-based electricity generation, e.g. a STAG
reaching 50 – 55 %, one can conclude that there is hardly any difference in primary fuel
consumption.
Cooling water is needed to cool the induction coil.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
not enough information to make BAT decision?
A.4.3.13 In-line Pickling

See Part B

Part A/Chapter 5
A.5 BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES FOR HOT AND COLD

FORMING
In understanding this chapter and its contents, the attention of the reader is drawn back to the
preface of this document and in particular the fifth section of the preface: “How to understand
and use this document”. The techniques and associated emission and/or consumption levels, or
ranges of levels, presented in this chapter have been assessed through an iterative process
involving the following steps:
· Identification of the key environmental issues of hot and cold forming. The diversity of the
processing steps in this part of the ferrous metal processing sector means that all media are
affected. Among the most important issues are air emissions (especially NOx) from
furnaces; energy consumption of furnaces, effluents containing oil and solids, acidic wastes
and waste water; acidic and oil mist emissions to air and oil-containing wastes.
· Examination of the techniques most relevant to address those key issues.
· Identification of the best environmental performance levels, on the basis of the available
data in the European Union and world-wide.
· Examination of the conditions under which these performance levels were achieved; such as
costs, cross-media effects, main driving forces involved in implementation of this
techniques.
· Selection of the best available techniques (BAT) and the associated emission and/or
consumption levels for this sector in a general sense all according to Article 2(11) and
Annex IV of the Directive.
Expert judgement by the European IPPC Bureau and the relevant Technical Working Group
(TWG) has played a key role in each of these steps and in the way in which the information is
presented here.
On the basis of this assessment, techniques, and as far as possible emission and consumption
levels associated with the use of BAT, are presented in this chapter that are considered to be
appropriate to the sector as a whole and in many cases reflect current performance of some
installations within the sector. Where emission or consumption levels “associated with best
available techniques” are presented, this is to be understood as meaning that those levels
represent the environmental performance that could be anticipated as a result of the application,
in this sector, of the techniques described, bearing in mind the balance of costs and advantages
inherent within the definition of BAT. However, they are neither emission nor consumption
limit values and should not be understood as such. In some cases it may be technically possible
to achieve better emission or consumption levels but due to the costs involved or cross media
considerations, they are not considered to be appropriate as BAT for the sector as a whole.
However, such levels may be considered to be justified in more specific cases where there are
special driving forces.
The emission and consumption levels associated with the use of BAT have to be seen together
with any specified reference conditions (e.g. averaging periods).
The concept of “levels associated with BAT” described above is to be distinguished from the
term “achievable level” used elsewhere in this document. Where a level is described as
“achievable” using a particular technique or combination of techniques, this should be
understood to mean that the level may be expected to be achieved over a substantial period of
time in a well maintained and operated installation or process using those techniques.
Where available, data concerning costs have been given together with the description of the
techniques presented in the previous chapter. These give a rough indication about the

Part A/Chapter 5
magnitude of costs involved. However, the actual cost of applying a technique will depend
strongly on the specific situation regarding, for example, taxes, fees, and the technical
characteristics of the installation concerned. It is not possible to evaluate such site-specific
factors fully in this document. In the absence of data concerning costs, conclusions on
economic viability of techniques are drawn from observations on existing installations.
It is intended that the general BAT in this chapter are a reference point against which to judge
the current performance of an existing installation or to judge a proposal for a new installation.
In this way they will assist in the determination of appropriate "BAT-based" conditions for the
installation or in the establishment of general binding rules under Article 9(8). It is foreseen
that new installations can be designed to perform at or even better than the general BAT levels
presented here. It is also considered that existing installations could move towards the general
BAT levels or do better, subject to the technical and economic applicability of the techniques in
each case.
While the BREFs do not set legally binding standards, they are meant to give information for
the guidance of industry, Member States and the public on achievable emission and
consumption levels when using specified techniques. The appropriate limit values for any
specific case will need to be determined taking into account the objectives of the IPPC Directive
and the local considerations.
This chapter discusses the best available techniques for reducing the environmental impacts
from hot and cold forming. Where possible, the structure follows the logic of the production
line and identifies BAT for individual processing stages. However, some measures, especially
primary or preventive measures, cannot be assigned to one single process step and have to be
allocated to the plant as a whole. As far as possible and wherever the data available allowed,
emission levels, efficiencies or recirculation rates are given as an indication of the improvement
that can be expected by implementation of the techniques. For a number of techniques the
obvious positive effect cannot be described by an exact number, but some of these techniques
are nevertheless considered as BAT.
Unless stated otherwise the emission figures presented in the following BAT chapters are daily
mean values. For emissions to air they are based on standard conditions of 273 K, 101.3 kPa
and dry gas.
Discharges to water are indicated as daily mean value of a flow-rate-related 24-hours composite
A.5.1 Hot Rolling Mill
For storing and handling of raw materials and auxiliaries the following techniques are
considered to be BAT:
· Collection of spillages and leakages by suitable measures, e.g. safety pits and drainage.
· Separation of oil from the contaminated drainage water and reuse of recovered oil.
· Treatment of separated water in the water treatment plant.
In general, the best way to reduce the environmental impact from surface rectification and
conditioning of input is to avoid the need for rectification. The improvement of surface quality
of cast products to reduce the need for surface rectification is therefore considered BAT.
Furthermore, the following measures were identified as BAT for surface rectification and
conditioning of input:

Part A/Chapter 5
For machine scarfing:

· Enclosures for machine scarfing and dust abatement with fabric filters.
There was agreement that this technique constitutes BAT, but there were different opinions
on the associated emission level and the TWG recorded a split view. One plant reported
achieved dust emission levels of 5 - 10 mg/m³. Some Member States argued (without
supporting data for this type of installation) that fabric filters in general can achieve below
5 mg/Nm³ and that this is the level that should be associated with BAT. Others pointed out
that < 20 mg/Nm³ is the appropriate level.
· The use of an electrostatic precipitator, where fabric filters cannot be operated because of
very wet fume. There were no dust emission data available for individual plants, but
reported current emission levels ranged from < 20 mg/Nm³ to 20 - 115 mg/m³. Based on
information submitted by TWG members on generally achievable dust levels for
electrostatic precipitators3 in the application of oxide and dust removal in the FMP sector,
an associated dust level of 15 – 20 mg/Nm³ was proposed by the EIPPCB. Interventions
were made by an industrial NGO that the BAT-associated level was 20 - 50 mg/m³; while
Member States claimed that generally achievable levels of electrostatic precipitators are <
10 mg/Nm³ and that this should be the BAT-associated emission level. The TWG was
unable to reach agreement on the BAT-associated level and a split view was recorded.
· Separate collection of scale/swarf from scarfing. The oil-free scale should be kept apart
from oily millscale for easier reuse in metallurgical processes.
For grinding:
· Enclosures for machine grinding and dedicated booths, equipped with collection hoods for
manual grinding and dust abatement for the extracted air by fabric filters.
There was consensus among TWG members that these techniques constitute BAT, but no
agreement was reached as to what the associated emission level is. Emission data taken
from various sources lead to a reported current dust emission range for grinding of 1 – 100
mg/m³. Industry reported data for the application of fabric filters with resulting dust levels
of < 30 mg/Nm³ and 20 – 100 mg/Nm³ (for different filter types). Taking into account the
better range of the reported emisson levels and the information submitted by TWG
members on generally achievable dust levels for fabric filters4 in the application of oxide
and dust removal in the FMP sector, a BAT-associated level of < 20 mg/Nm³ was proposed.
Some Member States opposed, saying (based on very limited data) that fabric filters in
general can achieve below 5 mg/Nm³ and that this should be the BAT-associated level.
Aditionally, for all surface rectification processes:

· Treatment and reuse of water from all surface rectification processes (separation of solids).
· Internal recycling or sale for recycling of scale, swarf and dust.
Air emissions from reheating and heat treatment furnaces basically comprise NOx, SO2 and
dust. For dust, no specific abatement measures are applied. Generally, dust emissions are in the
range of 4 – 20 mg/m³, but figures as low as 2.2 mg/Nm³ have been reported.
For reducing air emissions, especially NOx, from reheating and heat treatment furnaces and to
reduce the energy consumption, the general measures described in Chapter A.4.1.3.1 should be
taken into account at the design stage. Special attention should be paid to energy efficiency and
waste heat recovery, e.g by adequate furnace insulation, insulation of skids, adequate stock
3
Reduction efficiency 95 – 99 %, grain size > 0.1 µm and input dust content up to 100 mg/m³, dust output levels for EP 15 – 20
mg/Nm³ reference [EUROFER HR]
4
Reduction efficiency 95 – 99 %, grain size (> 0.1 µm) > 0.5 µm and input dust content up to 500 mg/Nm³; dust output levels for
FF 1 – 20 mg/Nm³ [EUROFER HR].

Part A/Chapter 5
recuperation zone etc, and to air emission reduction, e.g. by choice of burners and placement of
burners.
Additionally, the following measures, which can also be applied to existing furnaces, are
considered BAT for reheating and heat treatment furnaces:
· Avoiding excess air and heat loss during charging by operational measures (minimum door
opening necessary for charging) or structural means (installation of multi-segmented doors
for tighter closure).
· Careful choice of fuel (in some cases, e.g. coke oven gas, desulphurisation maybe necessary)
and implementation of furnace automation and control to optimise the firing conditions in
the furnace. Depending on the fuel used, the following SO2 levels are associated with BAT:
- for natural gas < 100 mg/Nm3
- for all other gases and gas mixtures < 400 mg/Nm3
- for fuel oil (< 1 % S) up to 1700 mg/Nm³
There was a split view in the TWG on whether the limitation of < 1 % sulphur content in
fuel oil can be considered as BAT. Some experts considered this limit enough to be BAT,
whilst others expressed the view that the resulting emissions of up to 1700 mg SO2/Nm³
cannot be regarded as such. They considered a lower S content or the application of
additional SO2 reduction measures to be BAT.
· Recovery of heat in the waste gas - by feedstock preheating

- by regenerative or recuperative burner systems
- by waste heat boiler or evaporative skid cooling (where
there is a need for steam)
Energy savings of 40 - 50 % can be achieved by regenerative burners, with reported NOx

reductions potentials of up to 50 %. Energy savings associated with recuperators or
recuperative burners are about 25 %, with reported achievable NOx reductions of about
30 % (50 % in combination with low-NOx burners).
· Second generation low-NOx burners with associated NOx emission levels of

250 - 400 mg/Nm³ (3 % O2) without air preheating and reported NOx reduction potential of
about 65 % compared to conventional burners. It should be noted that in evaluating the
efficiency of NOx reduction measures it is important to also pay attention to specific
emission levels, not only to the achieved concentration. In some cases, NOx concentrations
may be higher, but the NOx mass emitted may be equal or even lower. Unfortunately, the
figures available at present for NOx concentrations and specific NOx emissions are very
limited.
Reheating furnaces do not operate in stable conditions during start-up and shut-down; during
these phases the emission levels may increase.
· Limiting the air preheating temperature.

Higher NOx concentrations may arise in the case of reheating furnaces operating with
combustion air preheating. Only very limited data were submitted on NOx concentrations in
connection with air preheating. The following data, taken from available UK reports5, give
an indication of the NOx emission levels that may be expected with increasing air
preheating temperature (refer also to Part D.2.2):
5
See also Part D.3.2, for more detailed information see references [HMIP-95-003] [ETSU-GIR-45]

Part A/Chapter 5
Air preheating Temperature [oC] NOx [mg/Nm³]6

100 - 200 < 400
300 up to 450
400 up to 600
500 up to 800
700 up to 1500
800 up to 2300
900 up to 3500
1000 up to 5300
With increasing air preheating temperature, a significant rise in NOx concentrations is

inevitable. Thus, limiting the preheating temperature may be seen as a NOx reduction
measure. However, the advantages of reduced energy consumption and reductions in SO2,
CO2 and CO have to be weighed against the disadvantage of potentially increased emissions
of NOx.
Regarding further NOx reduction measures, information on actual application of SCR and
SNCR at reheating furnaces was received at a very late stage of the work. It was confirmed that
one plant is applying SCR at its walking beam furnaces, achieving below 320 mg/Nm3 with a
reduction rate of about 80 % and that another plant has installed SNCR after its walking beam
furnaces achieving NOx levels of 205 mg/Nm3 (~ 70 % reduction rate) and 172 mg/Nm3 (~30 %
reduction rate) with an ammonia slip of 5 mg/Nm3.
Based on this information, some members of the TWG stated that these techniques are BAT for
the sector as a whole; while other members thought the available information on technical
details and on economics was not sufficient enough to allow for a final decision on whether
SCR and SNCR are BAT or not and therefore a split view was recorded.
Furthermore, the following measures to minimize the energy requirements are considered to be
BAT:
· Reduction of heat loss in intermediate products; by minimizing the storage time and by
insulating the slabs/blooms (heat conservation box or thermal covers) depending on
production layout.
· Change of logistic and intermediate storage to allow for a maximum rate of hot charging,
direct charging or direct rolling (the maximum rate depends on production schemes and
product quality).
For new plants, near-net-shape casting and thin slab casting are considered BAT, to the extent
that the product to be rolled can be produced by this technique. A great variety of qualities is
already produced by these techniques and rapid developments are taking place. The list given in
Chapter A.4.1.3.16 should therefore not be seen as final.
In reducing water and energy consumption, material tracking is considered BAT for descaling.
Large amounts of heat contained in continuous cast products or in intermediate products are lost
during handling and storage. To reduce unwanted energy loss during transport of rolled stock
from roughing mill to finishing train, coil boxes or coil recovery furnaces and heat shields for
6
Rough estimate as taken from diagram; 3 % oxygen, dry gas, standard conditions

Part A/Chapter 5
transfer bars are considered to be the best available techniques, although a potentially higher
risk of surface defects (rolled-in scale) and potential damages caused by curled transfer bars was
reported for heat retention shields. Coil boxes may also result in increased surface defects.
During rolling in the finishing train fugitive emissions of dust occur. Two techniques have
been identified as BAT for the reduction of these emissions:
· water sprays followed by waste water treatment in which the solids (iron oxides) are
separated and collected for reuse of iron content.
· Exhaust systems with treatment of extracted air by fabric filters and recycling of collected
dust. The reported current dust emission level ranged from 2 – 50 mg/Nm3. Taking into
account the better range of the reported emisson levels and the information submitted by
TWG members on generally achievable dust levels for fabric filters7 in the application of
oxide and dust removal in the FMP sector, a BAT associated level of < 20 mg/Nm³ was
proposed. Some Member States opposed, saying (not supported by data) that fabric filters in
general can achieve below 5 mg/Nm³ and that this should be the BAT-associated level. The
TWG was unable to reach agreement on the BAT associated level and a split view was
recorded.
For tube mills, collection hoods and fabric filters for fugitive emissions from rolling stands are
not considered BAT, due to low rolling speeds and resulting lower emissions.
For reducing fugitive dust emissions from levelling and welding, suction hoods and subsequent
abatement by fabric filters was identified as BAT. There were no emission data available for
levelling and welding, but following the general approach on what is achievable by fabric filters
(see above) a BAT-associated dust level of < 20 mg/Nm³ was proposed. Some Member States
expressed the view (without supporting data) that fabric filters in general can achieve below 5
mg/Nm³ and that this should be the BAT-associated level. The TWG was unable to reach
agreement on the BAT associated level and a split view was recorded.
Best available operational and maintenance techniques for roll shops are:
· Use of water-based degreasing as far as technically acceptable for the degree of cleanliness
required.
· If organic solvents have to be used, preference is to be given to non-chlorinated solvents.
· Collection of grease removed from roll trunnions and proper disposal, such as by
incineration.
· Treatment of grinding sludge by magnetic separation for recovery of metal particles and
recirculation into the steelmaking process.
· Disposal by incineration of oil- and grease-containing residues from grindingwheels
[Com D]
· Deposition of mineral residues from grinding wheels and worn grinding wheels in landfills.
· Treatment of cooling liquids and cutting emulsions for oil/water separation. Proper disposal
of oily residues, e.g. by incineration.
· Treatment of waste water effluents from cooling and degreasing as well as from emulsion
separation in the hot rolling mill water treatment plant.
· Recycling of steel and iron turnings into the steelmaking process.
· Recycling of worn rolls which are unsuitable for further reconditioning, into the steelmaking
process or returned to the manufacturer.
7

Part A/Chapter 5
For cooling (machines etc.) separate cooling water systems operating in closed loops are
considered BAT.
Hot rolling leads to a large amount of scale- and oil-containing process water. The
minimization of consumption and discharge by operating closed loops with recirculating rates
of > 95 % is considered BAT.
Treatment of this process water and pollution reduction in the effluent from these systems as
described by examples in Chapter A.4.1.12.2 or by other combinations of the individual
treatment units (as in D.10.1) are considered BAT. The following release levels from the waste
water treatment are associated with BAT:
SS: < 20 mg/l

Oil: < 5 mg/l (oil based on random measurements)
Fe: < 10 mg/l
Crtot: < 0.2 mg/l (for stainless steel < 0.5 mg/l)
Ni: < 0.2 mg/l (for stainless steel < 0.5 mg/l)
Zn: < 2 mg/l
As the volume and contamination of waste water from tube mills are quite similar to other hot
rolling operations, it was noted that the same techniques and the same associated BAT levels
apply for tube mills.
Recirculation to the metallurgical process of mill scale collected in water treatment is BAT.
Techniques are described in Chapter A.4.1.13.2.. Depending on oil content, additional treatment
may be required. All oily waste/sludge collected should be de-watered to allow for thermal
utilisation or safe disposal.
Throughout the plant the following techniques for prevention of hydrocarbon contamination
of water have been identified and are considered to be BAT:
· Preventive periodic checks and preventive maintenance of seals, gaskets, pumps and
pipelines.
· Use of bearings and bearing seals of modern design for work- and back-up rolls as well as
the installation of leakage indicators in the lubricant lines (e.g. at hydrostatic bearings). This
reduces the oil consumption by 50 - 70 %.
· Collection and treatment of contaminated drainage water at the various consumers (hydraulic
aggregates), separation and use of oil fraction, e.g. thermally utilized by blast furnace
injection. Further processing of the separated water either in the water treatment plant or in
dressing plants with ultra filtration or vacuum evaporator.
A.5.2 Cold Rolling Mill
At the entry side of pickling lines, decoiling of the hot rolled strip leads to fugitive dust
emissions. For the reduction of these emissions two techniques have been identified as BAT:
· Water curtains followed by waste water treatment in which the solids are separated and
collected for reuse of iron content.
· Exhaust systems with treatment of extracted air by fabric filters and recycling of collected
dust.

Part A/Chapter 5
There were no emission data available for decoiling, but following the general approach on
what is achievable by fabric filters (see above), a BAT-associated dust level of < 20 mg/Nm³
was proposed. Some Member States expressed the view (without supporting data) that fabric
filters in general can achieve below 5 mg/Nm³ and that this should be the BAT-associated
level. The TWG was unable to reach agreement on the BAT associated level and a split view
was recorded.
To reduce the environmental impact from pickling, general measures to reduce acid
consumption and waste acid generation as described in chapter A.4.2.2.1. should be applied as
far as possible and be considered preferably already at design stage, especially the following
techniques that are considered BAT:
· Prevention of steel corrosion by appropriate storage and handling, cooling etc.
· Mechanical pre-descaling to reduce the load on the pickling step. If mechanical descaling is
applied, BAT is a closed unit, equipped with an extraction system and fabric filters.
For shot blasting, dust emission levels of < 1 mg/Nm³, 2.6 mg/Nm³ and 4.5 mg/Nm³ have
been achieved [FIN 28.3].
· Use of electrolytic pre-pickling.
· Use of modern, optimised pickling facilities (spray or turbulence pickling instead of dip
pickling).
· Mechanical filtration and recirculation for lifetime extension of pickling baths.
· Side-stream ion-exchange or electro-dialysis (for mixed acid) or other method for free acid
reclamation (described in chapter D.6.9) for bath regeneration.
For HCl pickling, BAT is considered to be:

· The reuse of spent HCl
or
· The regeneration of the acid by spray roasting or fluidised bed (or equivalent process) with
recirculation of the regenerate to the pickling process is considered BAT. Depending on
site circumstances, the high acid consumption and amounts of waste acid generated and the
savings generally obtained from regeneration may justify the investment in a regeneration
plant. The acid regeneration plant needs to be equipped with an air scrubbing system as
described in Chapter 4, to reduce emissions, especially acid emissions. Achievable
reduction efficiencies of > 98 % were reported. Some sources report achieved HCl
concentrations by applying caustic scrubbing of < 2 mg/Nm³. The TWG agreed that the
following emission levels are associated with acid regeneration (waste gas treatment by
scrubbers or adsorption towers):
Dust 20 -50 mg/Nm³
HCl 2 – 30 mg/Nm³
SO2 50 - 100 mg/Nm³
CO 150 mg/Nm³
CO2 180000 mg/Nm³
NO2 300 - 370 mg/Nm³
The recovered solid by-product Fe2O3 is a saleable product and is externally reused.
For H2SO4 pickling processes, recovery of the free acid by crystallisation is considered BAT.
The recovery plant needs to be equipped with air scrubbing devices; emission levels associated
with this process are:
H2SO4 5 - 10 mg/Nm³
SO2 8 - 20 mg/Nm³.

Part A/Chapter 5
For mixed acid pickling, free acid reclamation (e.g. by side-stream ion exchange or dialysis) or
acid regeneration (e.g. by spray roasting or evaporation process) is considered BAT.
While free acid reclamation is applicable to virtually all plants, the applicability of regeneration
processes may be limited for site-specific reasons. The emissions associated with BAT are:
Spray Roasting Evaporation Process Free Acid Reclamation

Dust < 10 mg/Nm³ none
HF <2 mg/Nm³ <2 mg/Nm³ none
NO2 < 200 mg/Nm³ < 100 mg/Nm³
Waste water 0.003 – 0.01 not available 0.05 – 0.02 m3/t (metal-
m3/t containing weak acid solution)
Other output mixed oxide metal sulphate filter cake
All three processes are equally considered BAT. Despite the disadvantage of higher air
emissions and energy consumption, spray roasting was selected because of its high acid
recovery rate and associated low fresh acid consumption. Furthermore the waste water is only a
fraction of that produced by reclamation processes. Metals are basically bound in a solid by-
product. This mixed iron-chromium- nickel oxide can be reused in metal production.
The evaporation process also provides a very high acid recovery rate and thus low fresh acid
consumption, but with much lower energy consumption than spray roasting. The metal sulphate
filter cake, however, needs to be disposed of.
For the reduction of air emissions from the pickling tanks, totally enclosed equipment or
equipment fitted with hoods and scrubbing of extracted air are considered BAT with associated
emission levels:
HCl pickling: Dust 10 - 20 mg/Nm³

HCl 2 – 30 mg/Nm³ (reduction efficiency > 98 %)
H2SO4 pickling: H2SO4 1- 2 mg/Nm³

SO2 8 - 20 mg/Nm³ (reduction efficiency > 95 %)
For mixed acid pickling of stainless steel, in addition to enclosed equipment/hoods and
scrubbing, further NOx reduction measures are required. The following techniques are
· Scrubbing with H2O2, urea etc.;
or
· NOx suppression by adding H2O2 or urea to the pickling bath;
or
· SCR.
Emission levels of 200 - 650 mg/Nm³ for NOx (reduction 75 - 85 %) and 2 – 7 mg/Nm³ for HF
(reduction 70 - 80 %) are associated with these techniques. Some sources reported achievable
emission levels for HF of < 2 mg/Nm³, but as there was some recognition of difficulties in
measuring HF, especially at low levels, it was concluded that the BAT-associated level is the
range given above.
As an alternative, implementation of nitric acid-free pickling (e.g. H2O2 based) with enclosed
equipment or equipment fitted with hoods and scrubbing is considered BAT. However, this
technique is not applicable to all applications.

Part A/Chapter 5
For heating of acids the direct injection of steam is not considered BAT as it leads to
unnecessary dilution of the acid. BAT is indirect heating by heat exchangers or, if steam for
heat exchangers has to be produced first, by submerged combustion.
The following measures have been identified as BAT for the minimization of acidic waste
water:
· Cascade rinsing systems with internal re-use of overflow (e.g. in pickling baths or
scrubbing).
· Careful tuning and managing of the ‘pickling-acid regeneration-rinsing’ system. Some

sources report a possible waste water-free operation.
· in any case where acidic water blow-down from the system cannot be avoided, waste water
treatment is required (neutralisation, flocculation, etc.). Associated release levels of the
waste water treatment are:
SS: < 20 mg/l
Oil: < 5 mg/l (oil based on random measurements)
Fe: < 10 mg/l
Crtot:< 0.2 mg/l (for stainless steel < 0.5 mg/l)
Ni: < 0.2 mg/l (for stainless steel < 0.5 mg/l)
Zn: < 2 mg/l
There was agreemant in the TWG that there are exceptional cases for stainless steel where
the levels of Crtot and Ni cannot be kept below 0.5 mg/l.
For emulsion systems the following techniques are considered to be BAT:
· Prevention of contamination by regular checking of seals, pipework etc. and leakage control.
· Continuous monitoring of emulsion quality.
· Operation of emulsion circuits with cleaning and reuse of emulsion to extend lifetime.
· Treatment of spent emulsion to reduce oil content, e.g. by ultrafiltration or electrolytic
splitting.
During rolling and tempering, fugitive emissions of emulsion fumes occur. To capture and
reduce these emissions the best technique available is the installation of an exhaust system with
treatment of extracted air by mist eliminators (droplet separator). Reduction efficiencies
achieved are > 90 % and associated emission levels of hydrocarbons 5 - 15 mg/Nm³.
For installations operating with a degreasing step, the following techniques are considered
BAT:
· Implementation of a degreasing circuit with cleaning and reuse of the degreaser solution.
Appropriate measures for cleaning are mechanical methods and membrane filtration as
described in Chapter A.4.
· Treatment of spent degreasing solution by electrolytic emulsion splitting or ultrafiltration to

reduce the oil content. The separated oil fraction should be reused, e.g. thermally; the
separated water fraction requires treatment (neutralisation etc.) prior to discharge.
· Extraction system to capture degreaser fume and scrubbing of extracted air.

Part A/Chapter 5
The main environmental issues for annealing furnaces are air emissions from combustion
processes and efficient energy use. The best available techniques to reduce emissions at
continuous annealing furnaces are low-NOx burners with reduction rates of 60 % for NOx (and
87 % for CO) and with an associated emission level of 250 – 400 mg/Nm³ (without air
preheating, 3 % O2). The NOx emission level for batch annealing furnaces without the
application of low-NOx burners and without air preheating is in the range of 150 – 380 mg/Nm³
(without air preheating, 3 % O2). Generally the emissions levels to expect from annealing
furnaces are:
Batch Furnaces Continuous Furnaces

Dust 5 - 10 10 - 20 mg/Nm³.
SO2 60 - 100 50 - 100 mg/Nm³.
NOx 150 - 380 250 - 400 mg/Nm³.
CO 40 - 100 50 - 120 mg/Nm³.
CO2 200000 - 220000 180000 - 250000 mg/Nm³.
Oxygen reference level 3 %
The best available measures to increase the energy efficiency are:
· Combustion air preheating by regenerative or recuperative burners.

Higher NOx concentrations may arise in the case of annealing furnaces operating with
combustion air preheating. No data was submitted on NOx concentrations in connection with
air preheating, but the figures given for reheating furnaces may serve as an indication.
Limiting the preheating temperature may be seen as a NOx reduction measure. However, the
advantages of reduced energy consumption and reductions in SO2, CO2 and CO have to be
weighed against the disadvantage of possible increased emissions of NOx.
or
· Preheating of stock by waste gas.
For finishing, the steel strip may be oiled for protection; this can lead to oil mist emissions. The
best techniques to reduce these emissions are:
· Extraction hoods followed by mist eliminators and/or electrostatic precipitators. Data

submitted for one plant showed an achieved average oil droplet concentration of 3.0 mg/Nm3
applying mist eliminator and electrostatic precipitator.
or
Further finishing operations, levelling and welding, generate fugitive dust emissions. BAT to
reduce these emissions are extraction hoods with dust abatement by fabric filters. Emission data
available from one plant range from 7 – 39 mg/Nm³; data from another plant (part time
operation) from 5 – 30 mg/Nm³. Taking into account the better range of the reported emission
levels and the information submitted by TWG members on generally achievable dust levels for
fabric filters8 in the application of oxide and dust removal in the FMP sector, a BAT-associated
level of < 20 mg/Nm³ was proposed. Some Member States opposed, saying (not supported by
data) that fabric filters in general can achieve below 5 mg/Nm³ and that this should be the BAT-
associated level. The TWG was unable to reach agreement on the BAT associated level and a
split view was recorded.
8

Part A/Chapter 5
For cooling (machines etc.), separate cooling water systems operating in closed loops are
considered BAT.
For the roll shops of cold rolling mills the same principles as for roll shops in hot rolling mills
are applicable.
Metallic by-products, scrap from cutting, heads and tails are collected at different stages in the
rolling mill. Collection and recirculation into the metallurgical process is BAT.
A.5.3 Wire plant
Pickling operations, especially when concentrated or heated acid is used, lead to emissions of
acidic vapors. Techniques to reduce the emissions depend on the acid used and on the way
pickling is done (batch or continuously). Batch (discontinuous) pickling, used for preparation of
wire rod, is described below. Continuous pickling of wire is typically used in combination with
other operations such as hot dip coating of wire. See B.5.4.
For batch pickling, the following techniques are considered to be BAT:
· HCl pickling: close monitoring of bath parameters: temperature and concentration and
operating within the limits given in Part D/Chapter D.6.1 ‘Open Pickling Bath Operation’.
Where operation in compliance with the conditions described in D.6.1 is not possible,
extraction and scrubbing is considered BAT.
· In the case of pickling baths with high vapour emission, e.g. heated or concentrated HCl-
bath: installation of lateral extraction and possibly treating of the extraction air for both new
and existing installations. The BAT-associated level for HCl emission is 2 – 30 mg/Nm³.
To reduce acid consumption, amounts of acidic wastes and waste water, the following
techniques are considered to be BAT:
· Cascade Pickling (for installations above a capacity of 15 000 tonne wire rod per year. For
small scale applications, the investment in a second tank, piping and process control
equipment is not justified.)
or
· Reclamation of free acid fraction and reuse in pickling plant.
· External regeneration of spent acid. (On-site regeneration of spent acid, which is described
as BAT for hot/cold rolling (see section A.5.2), is not feasible for wire pickling plants.
These regeneration plants require a certain waste acid throughput for economic operation.
The volumes of waste acid available in a wire plant are far below this threshold for
economic operation).
· Recycling of spent acid as secondary raw material.
· Non-acid descaling, e.g shot blasting, if quality requirements allow.
· Countercurrent cascade rinsing [CET-BAT]
To reduce fugitive soap dust emissions from dry drawing, enclosing the drawing machine (and
connecting to a filter or similar device when necessary), is considered to be BAT for all new
machines with drawing speed ³ 4 m/s.
In some categories of wire drawing machines where the drawing speed is limited (< 4 m/s), the
spread of lubricant-dust is limited, even without a cover. In these cases, the added

Part A/Chapter 5
environmental value of a hood or cover is very limited. Examples of such drawing machines
are mono-blocs (machines with only 1 die) and multi-wire drawing machines that are coupled to
another operation.
Equipping existing drawing machines with a cover with acceptable dust capture efficiency that
would still allow efficient operation and maintenance of the machine is technically impossible
for design reasons.
For wet drawing lubricants, the following measures are considered to be BAT:
· Cleaning and reuse of drawing lubricant.
· Treatment of spent lubricant to reduce oil content in the discharge and/or to reduce waste
volume, e.g. by chemical breaking, electrolytic emulsion splitting or ultrafiltration.
· Treatment of discharge water fraction.
Not to use once-through cooling water systems is considered BAT. The best available
techniques to reduce cooling water consumption are closed cooling-water loops for dry and
wet drawing.
Burning of the protective gas purge is considered to be BAT for all batch annealing furnaces,
continuous annealing furnaces for stainless steel and furnaces used in oil hardening and
tempering.
For continuous annealing of low carbon wire and patenting, the following measures are
· Good housekeeping measures, as described in chapter A.4.3.7 for the lead bath with
associated emission levels of Pb < 5 mg/Nm³, CO < 100 mg/Nm³ and TOC < 50 mg/Nm³
· Separate storage of Pb-containing wastes, protected from rain and wind
· Recycling of Pb-containing wastes in non-ferrous metals industry
· Closed loop operation of quench bath.
For quench baths in oil-hardening lines, evacuation of the oil mist and removal of the oil mists,
when appropriate, are considered BAT.

Part A/Chapter 6
A.6 EMERGING TECHNIQUES FOR HOT AND COLD

FORMING
A.6.1 Hot Rolling Mill
A.6.1.1 Scarfing and Grinding
Stainless Steel
· Increased power for grinding machines (speeding up the process and therefore reducing
emission/t steel processed).
· In line installations within the casting plant to reduce energy consumption by grinding when
hot charging [HR].
A.6.1.2 Reheating Furnace
A.6.1.2.1 Flameless Burner
The “flameless burner” or “diffused flame” is the most recent development. In this burner
type the burner only provides the air supply. The gas is supplied via separate inlets in the
furnace. Maximum recirculation of the flue gases is achieved.
A NOx emission level of approximately 100 mg/Nm³ could be realised. Until now no industrial
realisation of the flameless burner exists in a reheating furnace. Combustion control may be a
problem. [HR]
A.6.1.2.2 Ultra Low-NOx Burner
In the ultra low-NOx burners a high gas flow is achieved. The complete mixing of the fuel and
the combustion air (and the flue gases) takes place in the furnace, which has the effect that there
is no anchoring of the flame to the burner. As a result this type of burners can only be used at
furnace temperatures beyond the spontaneous ignition temperature of the fuel/air mixture.
NOx levels of 100 - 200 mg/Nm³ can be achieved. The NOx levels are less dependent of the air
preheat temperature. [HR]
A.6.1.2.3 Water Injection
The objective of diluent addition as a means of NOx control is to ensure that temperatures are
reduced significantly in the pollutant forming regions so as to lmit formation by the thermal
mechanism. In principle, various species can be employed as diluents depending on their
availability. In practice, water injection is the most viable diluent for reheating and heat
treatment furnaces. The quality of water required for use on reheating furnaces is very much
lower than that needed for NOx reduction on gas turbines. Steam or nitrogen may be available
at some sites but these are likely to be more expensive than water in terms of additional capital
costs and less effective in terms of the required diluent/fuel mass ratio.
GK/EIPPCB fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 237

Part A/Chapter 6
The most effective method of water injection is usually one in which the water is mixed with
the fuel immediately prior to combustion; this being more easily engineered and better able to
achieve uniform flame temperatures than methods which seek to dilute the air supply.
A system which limits NOx formation by using water injection to limit peak flame temperatures
in regenerative burners has been described by Wills and Volgt (1993). In this arrangement,
water and air are supplied through the centre of the fuel gas inlet pipe, which is concentric with
the hot combustion air supply from the regenerator. A 'two fluid' atomiser sprays fine water
droplets into the gas before the end of the supply pipe, and shortly after the combustion of the
gas/water mist/hot air mixture is initiated and then stabilised.
At least one burner manufacturer (Stordy Combustion Engineering, 1994) would offer water
injection as a NOx control technique, and there may well be other suppliers.
Data on the performance of water injection systems on laboratory test rigs for natural gas and
BFG/COG showed reductions up to 60 – 80 %.
In principle, diluent injection could be widely applicable as a retrofit method provided intimate
mixing of diluent and either fuel or combustion air is possible. At present, information on the
application of diluent injection seems confined to short duration experiments on test rigs.
It is possible that flame stability win be reduced, as will flame thrust. The increase in water
vapour content of the combustion products could affect scaling of steel being heated.
There will be additional capital costs over and above those of the basic burner. These will
certainly include pipework, pumps, injectors and a Water injection control system. Depending
on the source of water, there may be a requirement for treatment plant and storage. For other
diluents there will be similar requirements for pipework and controls.
A.6.1.2.4 Shell de-NOx Process
Description: SCR with catalyst operation at lower temperatures 120 ºC [Com NL].
A.6.1.2.5 Regenerative Active Coal Process

No information submitted.
A.6.1.2.6 Degussa H2O2 Process

A.6.1.2.7 Bio–de-NOx Process

A.6.1.3 Descaling
A.6.1.3.1 Rotor Descaling
Instead of descaling headers (rings) equipped with nozzles, rotary heads equipped with 1 to 2
nozzles are used. Due to the rotation of the head, combined with the advance movement of the
rolling stock, a good cleaning effect is achieved with low water volumes. However, this method
is up to now more or less only as test installation available and not really proved in practical
operation.

Part A/Chapter 6

Applicability:
Installations:
Boehler Edelstahl (97?)
Huta Bailden, Polen (98?)
A.6.1.4 Hot Rolling and Water Treatment
A.6.1.4.1 Endless Rolling
The hot strip production of gauges £ 1.0 mm by means of the conventional rolling mill concepts
will be difficult. The final rolling speeds which are necessary to ensure the desired final rolling
temperature increases by the decrease of final strip thickness and that by a decrease of the
allowable transport speed on the run out table.
One procedure to overcome these problems is the so called „endless rolling“ where the transfer
bars are welded together before they enter the finishing train in order to form an endless strip
and divided to desired specific coil weight after the finishing mill. [HR]
This process has been implemented in one plant in Japan. It has the potential to increase the
overall productivity of the mill, to reduce yield losses and improve the steel quality leading to
an overall reduction in specific energy use. The implementation of endless rolling requires
particular care in order to join the bars properly in an economic manner. Also the control
systems need to be adapted to new tasks, as mill idle times for pre-setting are no longer
provided. Figure A.6-1 shows a diagrammatic view of the endless hot rolling process at
Kawasaki Steel Chiba Works. [DFIU-99]
Coil box Sheet bar joining machine High speed strip shear
High speed furnace Continuous bar supply Induction heating and upset joining Flying type shear
Carriage speed: 2 m/min Recoiling min. pitch: 40 sec. Self driving with sheet bar carriage Cut speed: max. 1150 m/min
Extractor: 40 sec/cycle
R2 R3 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 F6 F7
R1
Fine control mill placing High speed down coiler

Rougher rolling harmonized Deburring machine High speed winding
with finisher rolling time Rotary cutter type High speed coiler changing
Endless.ds4
Figure A.6-1: Diagrammatic view of the endless hot strip rolling process
Reported benefits at the plant mentioned have been an increase in strip quality (slight thickness
change over the entire length of strip, a slight width change over the entire length of strip:
± 3 - 6 mm, little coiling temperature fluctuation over the entire length of strip: deviation
± 15 - 30 °C), an increase in productivity (increase 20 %, decrease in unexpected roll change

Part A/Chapter 6
time of 90 %) and an increase in yield (decrease in shape rejects from head and tail end of 80 %
and decrease in surface defects due to pincher marks of 90 %).[DFIU-99]
A.6.1.4.2 Strip Casting Procedure
Over the last years several companies have been working on the development of technologies
for strip casting. While thin slab casting and directly connected rolling technologies are
basically an improvement of the conventional rolling technology, the direct strip casting is anew
technology. By direct casting of strip, which can be subsequently cold rolled, the process chain
from liquid steel to the final product can be shortened substantially. Table A.6-1 lists a
comparison of characteristic parameters for the slab casting, thin slab casting and strip casting
process.
Technology Continuous casting Thin slab casting Strip casting

Product thickness 150 - 300mm 20 - 60mm 2 - 4mm
Solidification time >600s about 60s <1s
Casting speed 1 - 2.5m/min 4 - 6m/min 30 - 90m/min
Average heat flux in the mould 1 - 3MW/m2 2 - 3MW/m2 8 - 10MW/m2
Metallurgical length >10m >5m <0.5m
Melt weight in the caster >5000kg about 800kg <400kg
Table A.6-1: Comparison of selected parameters of different casting technologies

[DFIU-99]
A lot of research has been and is still being done in order to develop strip casting plants on an
industrial scale. Figure A.6-2 and Figure A.6-3 show principles of two techniques (pilot plants),
which have been developed by a co-operation of several firms.
Ladle
Casting Tundish
rolls Coiler
Loop
Further
processing
20-100 m/min
Pinch roll
unit
Myosotis.ds4
Figure A.6-2: Double-roller pilot plant

[DFIU-99]

Part A/Chapter 6
Mould
Mill stand
Squeezing
5,5 m/min
Descaling
Pressing Cooling line
Induction furnace Coiler
8,3 m/min
20,5 m/min CPRplant.ds4
Figure A.6-3: Casting Pressing Rolling (CPR) pilot plant

[DFIU-99]
Typ1 Stand2 Thickness Width Year of Remarks

[mm] [mm] Start
BHP, Mulgrave, Aus R/B HM 1-2 160 1995
BHP, IHI, Port Kembla, AUS 2-R Pilot 2 1900
Voest Alpine, Linz, A 1½-R HM 1.15 330 1986 slanted &
vertical
CRNC-IMI, Boucherville, CAN 2-2 HM 3 100 1990 horizontal
CRNC-Projet Bessemer, 2-R HM 2-5 200 (steel) feeding
Boucherville, CAN 1992 vertical
feeding
Shanghai Metal 2-R HM
Research Inst. Shanghai, CHN
Clecim, Le Creusol, F 1½-R HM 12 200 1968-1974 stopped
IRSID, Maizières, F 2-R HM 2-5 200
IRSID, Maizières, F 1-R HM 0.2 200
2.5
Myosotis, lsbergues, F 2-6 865
ZFW, Dresden, D 2-R HM 0.15-2 30-110 stopped
Thyssen, Oberhausen, D 1-R HM 0.10-0.30 270
RWTH/Thyssen, Aachen, D 2-R HM 0.3-2.5 150
Max Planck, Düsseldorf, D 2-R HM 13 110
Krupp Stahl, Siegen, D 1½-R HM stopped
Krupp Stahl, Unna, D 1½-R In-pilot 1.5-4.5 700-1050 stopped
Clausthal Uni. Clausthal, D B HM 5-10 150-300 1989-1995

CSM, Rome, I 2-R HM 3-25 150
CSM, Terni, I 2-R Pilot 2-5 400
750-800
Table A.6-2: Development projects in strip casting

[Jahrbuch Stahl 1996]

Part A/Chapter 6
NSC/MHI, Kawasaki, JAP 2-R HM 0.5-3 100

NSC/MHI, Hikari, JAP 2-R In-Pilot 1.5-6 1330
HM stopped
Kawasaki, Chiba, JAP 2-R 0.2/0.8 250-500
Pilot
Kawasaki, Chiba, JAP 2-R HM 1-3 100 stopped
Kobe, Kakogawa, JAP 2-R 1.5/5 300 stopped
HM
Nippon Metal, Sagamihara, JAP 1½-R 1-4 650 stopped
Nippon, Naoetsu, JAP 1-R HM
Stainless Nippon Yakin,
Kawasaki, JAP 2-R Pilot 1-2.5 600
Nisshin + Hitachi, Yamaguchi, 2-R HM 0.8/5 300

JAP 2-R HM 2.1 600
Nisshin + Hitachi, Hitachi, JAP 2-R HM 2.3 80
Nisshin + Hitachi, Hitachi, JAP 2-R 200
Pacific Metals, Hachinoe, JAP 2-R Pilot 2-7 1050
Pacific Metals, Hachinoe, JAP 2-R HM
Waseda Uni.,Tokyo, JAP
POSCO RIST Davy, Pohang, 2-R HM 2-6 350
KOR
POSCO RIST, Davy, Pohang, 2-R Pilot 3 1050- 1994
KOR 1300
Inst. of Ind. Sc. & Techn. 2-R HM 1-5 status
Pohang, KOR 250-350 unknown
VNIIMETMACH, Moscow, 2-R 0.1-0.35 150
RUS
MEFOS, Lulea, S 6 Pilot 5-10 450 1991
ASEA-Royal Institute, 2-R HM (900)
Stockholm, S
British Steel, Teesside, UK 2R HM 1-3 76 1986
BS-Avesta, Sheffield, Teesside, 2R Pilot 2.3-5.5 400 1990

UK
British Steel, Teesside, UK 2R Indust. 2-7 1550 under
pilot study
Consortium 3), Bethelehem, 2-R HM 0.5-2 300 1982 stopped
USA 1-R HM 0.5-0.8 75 <1988 stopped
ARMCO-Westinghouse,
Middletown, USA 1-R HM 1.25-1.75 (25 µm)- stopped
1.75
National-Batelle, Columbus, 1-R Pilot 1-3 1220 mm
USA 660-1220 not
yet tried
Allegheny/VA, Breckenridge,
Lockport, USA
Table A.6-2 cont.: Development projects in strip casting

[Jahrbuch Stahl 1996]

Part A/Chapter 6
A.6.1.4.3 By-product Recycling
Technologies for Recycling without Deoiling
Blast furnace injection

Process steps:
Sludge and scale dewatering (drying) at low temperatures, thus the hydrocarbons remain in the
dried substance.
Adding of granulators to bring the mixture into a friable condition.
BF injection via special designed equipment. Oily sludges can also be injected in liquid form.
Deoiling Techniques
Thermocon process (Thermal physical Process for deoiling *)

Oily sludges are batchwise (40 - 45 t/charge) processed.
The materials are charged into a special container and heated up to approx. 130 °C.
The actually chemical-physical effect utilized, is steam distillation.
Steam including water and hydrocarbons sucked from the container is heated up to approx.
500 °C and afterwards burned by approx. 1000 °C.
CED - process (Chemnitzer Entsorgungsdienst) (*)

The process is based on the thermal deoiling principle.
Contrary to the thermocon method, CED is a continuous process.
The scale is transported through heated pipes by means of screws.
Moistness with oil is distilled and afterwards condensed.
DCR - process (Dispersion by Chemical Reaction) (*)

Scale with liquid additive and the DCR reagent (e.g. quicklime) is homogenised within a
mixing apparatus. The hydrocarbons are bounded by the generated Ca(OH)2. Pulverised oil is
separated from the ferrous material via combined sieving and sorting device.
TRF process (Tubular-Rotor Filter) (*)

Cleaning of the oily scale in a washing device by a water-tenside-emulsion.
The waste washing water is cleaned from tenside- / oilmixture by using the so called Tubular-
Rotorfilter.
The fractionated oil is thermal utilized.
HD - process (High pressure method) (*)

Scale is cleaned from oil by shooting a water scale mixture under high pressure (approx.
150 - 180 bar) and from a short distance (200 - 400 mm) onto a baffle plate.

Part A/Chapter 6
A.6.2 Cold Rolling Mill
A.6.2.1 Pickling
A.6.2.1.1 Hydro-abrasive Pre-descaling (Ishi Clean)
Iron containing sludge is mixed with a circulating high pressure water jet and is sprayed onto
the strip surface to remove the scale.
A.6.2.1.2 Pre-descaling by Ferromagnetic Abrasive
Splintered, ferromagnetic abrasive material is aligned by a magnetic field and is mechanically

pressed onto the strip surface.

Part A/Chapter 6
A.6.3 Wire Plant
Acid regeneration process such as electrodialysis / bipolar membrane technology are under
development or being tested. This technology which converts all acid again to free acid and
metals to hydroxides is much too young / not proven / too expensive
From analogy with more traditional membrane processes, a short membrane life is expected.

Part A/Chapter 7
A.7 CONCLUDING REMARKS
The following conclusions and recommendations concern timing of the work, sources of
information, availability and quality of data, consensus amongst experts of the TWG and
recommendations for future work.
Timing of work
The drawing up of this BREF took about 2 ½ years. The major steps have been:
· First TWG meeting (kick-off meeting) 11 – 12.12.97

· Submission of relevant information and data by TWG:
for Chapters 2 February – October ’98
for Chapters 3 April – October ’98
for Chapters 4 July – October ’98
· First draft December 1998
· First consultation round 16.12.98 – 12.2.99
· Evaluation of comments and redrafting: May – July ‘99
(response to comments, clarification and
request for additional information)
· Submission of missing information/data: September – November ’99
· Second draft December 1999
· Second consultation 17.12.99 - 17.02.00
· Second TWG meeting 22 – 24.03.00
· Submissions on controversial issues that came up
during the 2nd TWG meeting: 28.03.00 – 19.07.00
· Consultation on ‘new’ chapters (revised Chapters 5, 21.07.00 – 18.08.00
Chapter 7 Conclusions & Recommendations,
Executive Summary, Chapter 4: SCR and SNCR)
· Final draft
Sources of information
65 reports dealing with the various aspects of the ferrous metals processing sector were
submitted. These reports contain very different kinds of information (statistical data, description
of production technologies, information on certain environmental measures including case
studies and emission/consumption data). They have been prepared from different points of
view; most of them only focusing on single aspects or media, only very few covering all
environmental aspects.
During the period of work on the Ferrous Metals Processing BREF, industry shadow groups on
hot rolling, cold rolling and continuous coating and the European General Galvanizers
Association (EGGA) provided reports and papers on their sectors regarding the applied
production techniques and some environmental measures. Germany submitted a report on ‘BAT
in the German Ferrous Metals Processing Industry’.
The availability of such documents is essential for the quality of the document, but their
usefulness is potentially compromised if they are not sent in early in the process. Delays in
submitting crucial information, especially on the techniques to be considered in the
determination of BAT, have led to delays in issuing drafts of this BREF.
Best available techniques

BAT have been identified for all three sub-sectors of ferrous metals processing and for the
individual production steps. They are described in detail in the three Chapters 5 providing
background and, where necessary, justification for selection as BAT and for the reported BAT-
associated emission levels. The executive summary includes all these BAT conclusions.

Part A/Chapter 7
Level of consensus
Part A of this BREF contains several split views. There were three areas in which the TWG
could not reach an agreement:
· BAT-associated dust levels for application of fabric filters/electrostatic precipitators
· SCR and SNCR NOx reduction measures for reheating furnaces
· S-content in fuel oil
On dust emissions, the TWG agreed that capturing and fabric filters are BAT, but there were
two general points of view on what is achievable with fabric filters. Industry proposed, based on
their experience and knowledge of achieved dust levels, the higher level of 20 mg/Nm³. Some
Member States and environmental NGOs considered below 5 mg/Nm³ to be the appropriate
associated level for fabric filters, but there were only very few figures and for most applications
no data presented to support this view (see also recommendations for future work).
Information and data on SCR and SNCR in reheating furnaces was received at a very late stage
of the work; during and after the second TWG meeting. Some TWG members considered these
techniques to be BAT, while others thought the available information on technical details and
on economics was not sufficient to allow a final decision to be made on whether or not SCR and
SNCR are BAT. As this controversy was raised almost at the end of this exercise, there was no
time to resolve the outstanding issues (see also recommendations for future work).
Another point of dissent was the issue of limiting S-content in fuel oil. Although a level of
S < 1% can lead to emissions as high as 1700 mg SO2 /Nm3, some TWG members thought that
this should be BAT. Others regarded a lower S-limit in the fuel oil or additional SO2 reduction
measures as BAT.
Parts B and C of this BREF enjoy a high level of consensus. No split views had to be noted. All
parties in the information exchange process consider them an acceptable result.
Recommendations for future work

A lack of data and information on the performance of techniques to be considered in the
determination of BAT, especially on achieved emission and consumption levels and on
economics, was noted as a flaw of this BREF document. For future BREF reviews, all TWG
members and interested parties should continue to collect these data and information and should
make them available earlier rather than later in the process.
For quite a number of the techniques to be considered in the determination of BAT, no

information or only a technical description is available. Information on reference plants and
actual performance data are scarce. For the revision of this document the missing information
should be provided. Some of the techniques concerned are the following:
Part A:
- Optimized water pumps for laminar flows
- Implementation of degreasing bath cascades
- Hot water pre-degreasing
- Heat utilisation for heating degreasing bath
- Electrostatic oiling
- Optimization of oil spray
- Optimized finishing operation
- Cleaning and reuse of grinding emulsion
- Exhaust system (PRETEX/SBT)
- External use of spent acid pickle liquor

Part A/Chapter 7
Part C:
- Storage and handling of raw materials and auxiliaries
- Capture/treatment of emissions from tube finishing operations
Part D:
- Adsorption of surfactants and oil (precipitation followed by filtration)
- Electrolytic pickling
- Treatment of rinsing water using ion exchange, electrolytic iron removal, reverse osmosis,
oxidizing iron removal
Several techniques are presented in the Chapters 6 ‘Emerging Techniques’. The progress in
development and the suitability for application in the FMP sector should be checked for a
potential move of these techniques to Chapter 4 ‘Techniques to be considered in the
determination of BAT’ and/or to Chapter 5 ‘Best Available Techniques’.
The criticism was made that the presentation of some techniques was too positive, having been
derived mainly from suppliers’ information, and that only the advantages were presented. This
mainly concerns reclamation and regeneration processes for spent treatment baths, e.g. for spent
pickling liquors or spent degreasing or flux baths. Here industry is requested to provide the
information and results they have achieved with certain techniques, together with descriptions
of any problems they have experienced.
There is a need for more emission and consumption data generally, but of particular interest are
figures on NOx emissions (concentrations and specific emissions) both for furnaces that use air
preheating and those that do not. Such data would make possible both a more thorough
evaluation of the efficiency of reduction measures and a comparison of the advantages and
disadvantages of energy savings vs. NOx emissions.
More data are required on achieved dust emission levels for the various production steps of hot
and cold rolling (Part A), where a split view on the BAT-associated dust level had to be stated
in the BREF. Especially, those parties advocating the lower level of 5 mg/Nm³ should seek to
provide data to substantiate their view.
It was reported that the number of installations applying SCR (pusher type furnaces) is likely to
increase. When this BREF is reviewed, there should be more information available on the
performance and applicability of SCR and SNCR for reheating furnaces. Existing SCR and
SNCR installations will have a longer operating history to draw on, which should help to
answer the criticism that the information available was based on too short an operating period.
Possibly the disagreement on whether these techniques constitute BAT can be resolved then.
During the 2nd TWG meeting the point was raised that inductive heating was BAT for several
applications in furnaces. In this BREF, inductive heating is included as a technique to be
considered, but it was stated that the information available was not sufficient to decide whether
the technique is BAT. More information and data should be collected to enable this decision to
be made.
Another issue raised was the dioxin content of dust from batch galvanizing and potential risks
of dioxin build-up when these dusts are recycled. Efforts should continue to compile
information and data of actual dioxin contents in dusts for normal plant operation. Available
data should be provided to the IPPCB and the TWG to allow a judgement on this problem and
enable an evaluation of the potential risk.
A revision of this BREF document is recommended for the year 2005.

PART B
Continuous Hot Dip Coating Lines

B.1 General Information on Continuous Hot Dip Coating Lines...................................................257
B.2 Applied Processes and Techniques in Continuous Hot Dip Coating Lines .............................259
B.2.1 Continuous Hot Dip Coating Process Overview................................................................259
B.2.2 Galvanizing of Sheet (Zinc and Zinc Alloy Coating) ........................................................260
B.2.3 Aluminizing of Sheet .........................................................................................................269
B.2.4 Lead-Tin Coating of Sheet.................................................................................................270
B.2.5 Wire Hot Dip Coating........................................................................................................273
B.3 Present Consumption and Emission Levels for Continuous Coating Lines.............................275
B.3.1 Continuous Coating Mass Stream Overview .....................................................................275
B.3.2 Galvanizing of Steel...........................................................................................................277
B.3.5 Wire Hot Dip Coating (Galvanizing).................................................................................285
B.4 Techniques to Consider in the Determination of BAT for Continuous Coating Lines............287
B.4.1 Galvanizing of Sheet..........................................................................................................287
B.4.2 Aluminizing and Lead-Tin (Terne) Coating ......................................................................303
B.4.3 Wire Hot Dip Coating (Galvanizing).................................................................................305
B.5 Best Available Techniques for Continuous Coating Lines......................................................313
B.5.1 Galvanizing of Sheet..........................................................................................................314
B.5.4 Coating of Wire .................................................................................................................317
B.6 Emerging Techniques for Continuous Coating Lines..............................................................319
B.6.1 Coating of Sheet.................................................................................................................319
B.6.2 Coating of Wire .................................................................................................................321
B.7 Concluding remarks.................................................................................................................323

List of figures
Figure B.1-1: Production share for different hot dip coatings ................................................................. 257
Figure B.2-1: Degreasing line layouts ..................................................................................................... 260
Figure B.2-2: Typical layout for a hot dip zinc coating line .................................................................... 261
Figure B.2-3: Schematic Coating Section of a Galvannealing Line ........................................................ 264
Figure B.2-4: Typical configuration of a cooling loop with cooling towers............................................ 267
Figure B.2-5: Cooling water system with heat exchangers...................................................................... 268
Figure B.2-6: Aluminium coating process ............................................................................................... 270
Figure B.2-7: Ternex process................................................................................................................... 272
Figure B.3-1: Input/Output balance for continuous hot dip (sheet)coating lines ..................................... 275
Figure B.3-2: Consumption and emission levels for lead-tin coating ...................................................... 282
Figure B.4-1: Example of a degreasing solution recycling system .......................................................... 289
Figure B.4-2: Chemical pre-treatment section for a sheet hot dip coating line (example)....................... 292
Figure B.4-3: Diagrammatic view of a recovery system for zinc from dross .......................................... 295

List of tables
Table B.1-1: Number of continuous coating lines in EU 15.....................................................................257

Table B.1-2: Hot-dip galvanizing companies and their production..........................................................258
Table B.1-3: Main consuming industries for galvanized products ...........................................................258
Table B.2-1: Main hot dip coatings for steel sheet ...................................................................................259
Table B.3-1: Consumption and emission levels for the total coating line ................................................276
Table B.3-2: Consumption and emission levels for pickling....................................................................277
Table B.3-3: Consumption and emission levels for degreasing ...............................................................277
Table B.3-4: Consumption and emission levels for heat treatment ..........................................................278
Table B.3-5: Consumption and emission levels for galvanizing ..............................................................279
Table B.3-6: Consumption and emission levels for galvannealing ..........................................................279
Table B.3-7: Consumption and emission levels for finishing...................................................................280
Table B.3-8: Consumption and emission levels for waste water treatment..............................................281
Table B.3-9: Consumption and emission levels for pickling of wire .......................................................285
Table B.3-10: Consumption and emission levels for fluxing of wire.......................................................285
Table B.3-11: Consumption and emission levels for hot dipping of wire ................................................286
Table B.4-1: Pollutant concentrations in water discharge from treatment of waste water from
galvanization [Com2 D] ...........................................................................................................................302

Part B/Chapter 1
B.1 GENERAL INFORMATION ON CONTINUOUS HOT DIP

COATING LINES
The production of continuous hot dip coating lines in EU 15 was 15 Mt in 1997. The number of
continuous plants in EU Member States - operating, under construction and planned - is shown
in Table B.1-1.
Number of Continuous Coating Lines

Austria 4
Belgium 6
Denmark -
Finland 2 (+ 1 under construction)
France 14
Germany 10
Greece 1
Ireland -
Italy 8
Luxembourg 3
Netherlands 1 (+1 projected)
Portugal 1
Sweden 2
Spain 4 (2 under construction)
United Kingdom 7
Total 63
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CC]
Table B.1-1: Number of continuous coating lines in EU 15
The vast majority of coatings applied, as shown in Figure B.1-1, was zinc. Aluminium coatings
and, especially terne coatings, played only a minor role.
Aluminized steel Aluzinc

Ternex
5% 5%
1%
Galvannealed
steel
4%
Galfan
4%
Galvanized steel
81%
Figure B.1-1: Production share for different hot dip coatings

Part B/Chapter 1
The hot dip galvanizing production for western European companies in 1997 is shown in
Table B.1-2.
Company Production
[1000 t]
Usinor 2124.7
Cockerill Sambre 1917.1
Thyssen 1661.2
British Steel S.P. 1568.0
Krupp-Hoesch 1310.0
Riva 1024.0
Aceralia 722.5
Arbed 680.8
Hoogovens Ijmuiden 375.0
Lucchini 600.0
Rautaruukki 572.5
Voest-Alpine 520.0
Preussag 520.0
SSAB 505.0
Others 595.5
TOTAL 14696.3
Table B.1-2: Hot-dip galvanizing companies and their production
Table B.1-3 shows the shares of galvanised products consuming industries in EU.
Sector Consumption
[1000 t]
Transport 2570
Construction 4759
White Lines 364
Others 4547
Total 12231
Table B.1-3: Main consuming industries for galvanized products

Part B/Chapter 2
B.2 APPLIED PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES IN

CONTINUOUS HOT DIP COATING LINES
B.2.1 Continuous Hot Dip Coating Process Overview
In the hot dip coating process, the steel is continuously passed through molten metal. An
alloying reaction between the two metals takes place, leading to a good bond between coating
and substrate.
Metals suitable for the use in hot dip coating are those, which have a melting point low enough
to avoid any thermal changes in the steel product, like for example aluminium, lead, tin, and
zinc.
The principal hot dip coatings for steel sheet are shown in Table B.2-1. Wire is hot dip coated
with zinc (galvanized) or tin. Zinc coating is mainly applied as corrosion protection. Tin gives
the wire a shine appearance and also provides a solder adhesive layer.
Coating Base Bath Coating
Type Name
Zinc base Zn Zn Galvanised
Zn Zn-Fe Galvannealed
Zn Lead free
Zn-Al 99 %Zn, 1 %Al Crackfree
Zn-Al 95 %Zn, 5 %Al Galfan
Aluminium Al-Zn 55 %Al, 43.5 %Zn, 1.5 % Si Galvalume

Base Al Al Type I
Al-Si Al 87 %, Si 13 % Type II
Lead base Pb-Sn 8.25 % Sn Terne
75 - 92 % Pb
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CC], [Com-CC-2]
Table B.2-1: Main hot dip coatings for steel sheet
In general continuous coating lines for sheet comprise the following steps:
· Surface cleaning by means of chemical and/or thermal treatment.

· Heat treatment.
· Immersion in a bath of molten metal.
· Finishing treatment.
Continuous wire galvanizing plants involve the following steps:
· Pickling.
· Fluxing.
· Galvanizing.
· Finishing.

Part B/Chapter 2
B.2.2 Galvanizing of Sheet (Zinc and Zinc Alloy Coating)
In continuous hot dip galvanizing steel strip is coated with a zinc or zinc alloy layer as corrosion
protection. Figure B.2-2 shows the layout of a continuous galvanizing line (without pickling).
Plant layouts may vary in the design of the entry section (with/without pickling or alkaline
degreasing), in the design of the annealing furnaces (vertical or horizontal) or the post-dipping
treatment (galvannealing etc.)
Hot dip galvanizing of cold rolled strip is more common than galvanizing hot rolled strip. The
processing is similar, except that for hot rolled products additional descaling (pickling) is
necessary.
B.2.2.1 Pickling
Pickling operation for descaling is only necessary for galvanizing hot rolled products to remove
hot mill scale. Pickling of unannealed cold rolled coil is done for activation. Both processes are
done in hydrochloric acid, followed by rinsing. The technology is the same as the pickling
process described in the cold rolling section of this BREF.
B.2.2.2 Degreasing
It is essential that the surface of the steel coil is free of impurities such as grease, oil or abraded
iron fines to ensure the entire surface is exposed to the coating product and strong adherence is
achieved. Although degreasing is not necessary when the strip is subsequently heat treated, it is
often applied in any case. The cleaning process involves several or all of the following steps:
· Alkaline degreasing via immersion or by spraying; maybe coupled with brushing.
· Alkaline degreasing by an electrolytic system; maybe coupled with brushing.
· Rinsing with water with intermediate brushing between rinsing tanks.
· Drying.
Figure B.2-1 show two possible layouts for modern degreasing lines.
Cleaning section Rinsing section
Spray cleaning Brushing machine Spray cleaning Brushing machine Cascade rinsing
Cleaning section Rinsing section
Spray cleaning Elektrolytic cleaning

Brushing machine Brushing maschine Cascade rinsing
(Dip cleaning) cell
R-Linie.dsf
Figure B.2-1: Degreasing line layouts

[DFIU]

Part B/Chapter 2
Figure B.2-2: Typical layout for a hot dip zinc coating line
[Com-CC-2]

Part B/Chapter 2
The degreasing agent is usually a non-siliceous alkaline solution with a concentration of 25 g/l
and a temperature between 70 and 95 oC. Aqueous systems are now standard and solvent
degreasing is obsolete. [ERM95], [Com-CC-2]
The same aqueous solution containing mainly sodium hydroxides, orthophosphates and
surfactant compounds is used in spray degreasing and in electrolytic degreasing. Once the
solution in the electrolytic degreasing section has reached a certain oil level, it is re-used on the
spraying section (cascade use). It is also possible that the solution is treated in an emulsion
separation centre and then biological treated [Com-CC-2] When the solution has reached the
maximum oil content it is regenerated, usually off-site. [EUROFER CC]
Fumes generated in degreasing and brushing are collected and scrubbed prior to release, using
water or caustic soda solution and/or led through a demister for cleaning. [Com-CC-2] Spent
degreasing agent and waste water from the rinsing and brushing operations are sent to waste
water treatment before release. [EUROFER CC]
B.2.2.3 Heat Treatment
Hot and cold rolled steel coil are passed through a furnace with controlled atmosphere prior to
galvanization to degrease and dry the surface, to improve the adhesive properties of the surface,
to obtain the required mechanical properties of the steel and to allow the steel to reach the
required temperature before dipping. The following types of furnaces are used:
Sendzimir Furnace
This type of furnace is no longer used in modern coating lines, but some older plants might still
operate this horizontal continuous furnace, which comprises a directly heated preheating
furnace (oxidizing zone) and indirectly heated reduction and holding zones with reducing H2/N2
atmospheres, followed by cooling zones. In the preheating part of the furnace, the temperature
is 450 - 550 oC. The strip is cleaned by burning off the oil the oil emulsion residues. In the
reduction zone, at a temperature of 980 oC and in an inert atmosphere the oxides are reduced.
The holding zone allows for recrystallisation and normalisation. The strip is then cooled to a
temperature slightly above that of the molten metal (ca. 500 oC) and is fed into the zinc bath,
under protective gas, by means of a so-called snout.
Direct Flame Furnace (D.F.F)
The direct flame furnace (Non Oxidizing Type) can be divided into different sections:
- A warming-up section where the strip is preheated using the gas flow coming from the
furnace, temperature raises from 20 oC to approximately 250 oC).
- The furnace itself, where the coil is heated directly by means of a naked flame, reaching a
temperature between 560º- 750 ºC.
- The annealing zone where electric or radiant elements heat the strip up to 830 ºC and
maintain this temperature under reducing atmosphere (HNx atmosphere, 3 –20 % hydrogen).
- Two cooling areas, with different cooling rates, where the temperature of the steel is reduced
by jet cooling down to 450º- 480 ºC.
- The exit area where the steel goes towards the galvanising bath.
This type of furnace cleans the coil surface and does not require any prior degreasing of the metal,
but air emissions are generated as the remaining oil from the surface is burnt. Furthermore
combustion products, H2 and N2 arise from the furnace (fired by natural gas or desulphurised coke
gas). [EUROFER CC], [Com-CC-2]

Part B/Chapter 2
Radiant Tube Furnace (R.T.F.)
The radiant tube furnace is a variation with indirect heating. The combustion gases circulate
through radiant tubes and do not get in contact with the strip. The soaking zone can be fitted
with radiant tubes or electric heating. Alkaline degreasing and radiant tubes or electric heating
are required for very high quality standards and for improving the adherence of the following
metallic coating. The fast cooling areas are similar to those of a D.F.F. The annealing furnace is
combined with an alkaline degreasing equipment. [EUROFER CC], [Com-CC-2], [Com2 CC]
Fuels used are desulphured coke oven gas and natural gas. Energy conservation is a primary
consideration in modern furnace designs. Recuperative features, such as infrared waste gas
preheaters, preheating of combustion air in direct fired and radiant tube furnace burners,
preheating of furnace atmosphere gas and installation of waste heat boilers are generally
incorporated when feasible.
B.2.2.4 Hot Dipping (Galvanizing)
The galvanizing bath consists of one or more tanks, usually made of ceramic material. These
pots, which can be either fixed or mobile, contain the molten metal at a temperature of 440º -
490 ºC, through which the strip is passed. The bath contains zinc and any other required
additive (i.e. antimony, lead or aluminium). The bath contains a sufficient amount of molten
zinc in order to prevent the wide fluctuations in the operating temperature that may appear
under maximum operating conditions. Most pots are nowadays heated by electrical induction
systems. However, natural gas as fuel for heating the pots is an alternative when considering the
environment as a whole and taking environmental aspects of power generation into account.
[EUROFER CC], [Com-CC-2]
As the steel passes through the molten zinc bath the surface is coated, to some extent with layers
of different iron-zinc alloys, but due to the high speed of the steel strip (max. 180 m/min) and
the short exposure time, the coating mainly consist of zinc.
Temperature control of the bath is essential, as a high temperature will increase the rate of
oxidation at the surface of the molten bath, resulting in increased ash generation. A low bath
temperature will increase the viscosity of the molten coating metal, thus inhibiting the formation
of a thin coating layer. The bath temperature is therefore optimized to meet the individual
quality requirements of the final coated product.
The strip leaves the bath with some amount of liquid zinc on the surface. In order to achieve the
exact thickness of coating required, the strip passes through a series of jets placed above the
surface of the bath. By blowing air or nitrogen the excess of zinc is removed from the steel. The
system is usually controlled by an automatic gauge, which measures the thickness of the coating
using X-ray measurement technology or a similar technique.
Special galvanising processes to produce one-sided coatings are also applied. Examples are the
Monogal process in which the zinc coating after normal galvanising is brushed off by rotating
metal brushes and processes in which the zinc is applied by carrier rolls.
On leaving the bath, the strip is gradually cooled by air coolers, followed by a water quench
tank and a drier.

Part B/Chapter 2
B.2.2.5 Galvannealing
Galvannealing is a special post-treatment applied in some installations in which the strip, after
galvanizing, is heated to a temperature that allows the formation of a zinc-iron alloy (10 %
iron). Galvannealing yields in a particularly smooth appearance of the product.
Galvannealing is the alloying of the zinc layer by the diffusion of iron (Fe) from the steel
substrate. The Fe diffusion is obtained by maintaining the steel at a temperature of about
500 °C, for low carbon steel, to a temperature of about 540°C, for new generation High Strength
Steel, during a sufficient time. Such furnaces are divided in two zones: a heating zone and a
soaking zone. The available space for the furnace is limited. For a same available surface, a
very quick heating from the zinc bath temperature (460°C) to the soaking temperature allows to
apply a longer soaking time. Some furnaces are equipped with induction heating system in the
heating zone and electrical elements or radiant tubes in the soaking zone. Induction heating
technique is characterised by a short heating time, a short reaction time, and an accurate
regulation of the temperature and no emissions on the site. The alloying and surface qualities
are improved.
Other galvannealing furnaces are equipped in the heating zone and in the soaking zone with
radiant tubes characterised by a longer heating time. In that case the site emissions and the
energy consumption are improved by the use of low-NOx burners and regenerative or
recuperative burner systems. [Com2 CC]
Figure B.2-3 shows the schematic of view of the coating section and the galvannealing furnace.
Cooling zone
Soaking zone
Galvannealing-
furnace
Heating zone
Annealing furnace
Jet (air-knives)
Hot dip galvanising
Zincbath
Figure B.2-3: Schematic Coating Section of a Galvannealing Line

[DFIU 99]

Part B/Chapter 2
B.2.2.6 Post Treatments
Following the coating, the steel strips are usually subjected to post-treatment in order to prevent
surface damages and flaws, like white rust caused by water condensation in case of insufficient
air access. Voluminous corrosion products as zinc hydroxides (white rust) affect further
processing, such as e.g. painting. The formation of condensate during transportation and storage
is to be generally prevented. [Com-CC-2]
The resistance against white rust is considerably increased by the application of post treatment,
like oiling, passivation, phosphating, organic coating or a combination of such treatment. In
addition, the processing properties are significantly improved depending on application (e.g.
oiling: deformation aid, phosphating: direct painting ensured, in combination with oiling:
deformation aid). [Com-CC-2]
Oiling
To apply a wet film of oil on the surface of the strip dip spray, wingrolls or electrostatic oiling
machines are used. The oiling coat is between 0.25 - 3 g/m2/side [Com-CC-2]
Passivation
Passivation is a treatment with solvents containing chromic acids, applied by spraying or
applicator-rolls. For hot dip metal-coated strip, a coat of 10 - 35 mg/m² per side is applied. Coat
thickness is therefore extremely thin (few nanometer only). During passivation, Cr6+ is mainly
conversed to Cr3+. Almost all of the installations have a little heater after the treatment to make
sure that the temperature rise over 120 ºC which is necessary for a chemical reaction of excess
Cr6+ with the additives of the passiving solution and become into Cr3+. The strip is treated with
solutions between 0.5 – 2 % of Cr6+ and temperatures between 70-120 ºC. [Com-CC-2],
[Com2 D]
Phosphating
In phosphating a phosphate coat of approx. 1 - 1.8 g/m² is applied. The phosphating procedure
is more or less a precipitation reaction of zinc phosphate crystals at the surface of the metal coat
caused by an increase in pH-value at the metal surface due to a pickling reaction. Tri-cation
phosphation process could be used (the hopeite crystal Zn3(PO4)2 × 4 H2O incorporates approx.
1 % Ni and 5 % Mn). Thus, this process forms the same chemical structure of the phosphate
coat as the high-quality phosphating processes for cars and household appliances do.
[Com-CC-2]
B.2.2.7 Finishing
To give the steel a special surface appearance, smoothness etc. as required by the customers or
to meet width tolerances, the following operations may be applied:
Mini or No Spangle Treatment

If the cooling rate of the top layer of pure zinc is sufficiently low, large crystals will form
resulting in a ‘spangled’ appearance. Sometimes smaller zinc spangles or even no-spangle effect
is requested. In that case the strip is either cooled more rapidly or the number of points of
spangling are increased by steam spraying, steam spraying with a chemical additive (usually
phosphate based) or spraying with zinc powder. [ERM95]
Mat Mill
The strip is skin-passed to obtain a mat finish surface.
Skin pass treatment can be done in three different ways: dry, wet (only water) or wet (with
water and detergent). The 'temper mill' solution generated in the later process must be collected
and sent to a waste water treatment plant when it is spent.

Part B/Chapter 2
Edge cutting
For certain applications, an edge cutting must be done in order to obtain the width tolerance
needed and to avoid little dog bone defects. There are two places to realise this process:
In the pickling line before cold rolling.
In the hot dip coating process.
A perfect product schedule tries to reduce this process to the minimum to increase the line yield.
[Com-CC-2]
B.2.2.8 Cooling Water Circuits
In coating plants, cooling water is required to discharge excessive heat from furnaces. Part of
the heat energy is emitted directly to the air (with the waste gases), via the coated strip or the
shop air. The rest is transferred to the cooling water. The main cooling water consumers are the
furnace (roll bearings) and final cooling of the strip.
A coating plant is supplied with cooling water re-circulated from central cooling water systems.
In these systems, pumps convey the cooling water to the consumers; the heated water is
returned and re-cooled again in plate heat exchangers with industrial water (e.g. from the river).
Due to the insertion of the closed re-cooling water circuits, the industrial water, even in case of
leakage of a cooler, does not get into touch with the equipment of the consumers; so that,
penetration of chemicals or oil into the industrial water and pollution of the sewage system is
prevented.
There are several variants of re-cooling, two of them are:

- re-cooling with industrial water in heat exchangers and
- re-cooling by evaporation in cooling towers.
Compared to re-cooling in towers, re-cooling in plate exchangers offers the advantage that
considerable amounts of chemicals for cooling water treatment (such as corrosion inhibitors,
hardness stabilisers, dispersants and biocides) can be saved, and are not discharged into the
sewage system. Another advantageous feature is that it is not necessary to do discharges of
partial flow with a high salt content caused by the evaporation, as it happened in the case of
cooling towers. [EUROFER CC]
Typical configuration of a cooling loop with cooling towers

The little discharge that is necessary for keeping low salt concentration of water to the sewer
system is mostly made continuously. Algaecide (for avoiding the saturation of the contact zone
between the water and the air) is dosed. The frequency is variable depending on the weather
(between 1 and 3 times per week).
Other chemicals could be necessaries depending on the composition of the water used in the
circuit (hardness, etc).

Part B/Chapter 2
evaporation
conditioning with
hypochlorite
Suppletion of
river water
cooling tower
Discharge to sewer
system
conditioning
Indirect quench tank
Indirect furnaces
pumps
Indirect zinc pot
Airco computer room
Airco zinc pot cellar
Hydraulic units
N2 + H2 heat
exchangers
Figure B.2-4: Typical configuration of a cooling loop with cooling towers

[CC 11/99]
Configuration for recycling water using plate heat exchanger:

Cooling water is recirculated in several closed cooling systems and heated by the heat expelled
from the process (machine cooling, gas cooling, etc.). The cooling water is recooled by river
water in heat exchangers. The river water on the secondary side of the heat exchanger is never
in contact with the strip or harmful media and is therefore not contaminated. The water becomes
only heat loaded and can be drained back to the river. The main cooling water consumers are
the preheating and annealing furnaces, the zinc pots, several roll coolings, the immersed water
coolers, the activation section, the electrical equipment, the hydraulics and air conditioning.
All heat which is not removed by the cooling water has to be discharged either by waste gas or
to the ambient air.

Part B/Chapter 2
With this system, addition of algaecide and scale-prevender is avoided. The outlet water is only
thermal loaded. This could be advantageous if the water of the system has no contact with
pollution. There are discharges in case of system drain only.
HOT DIP GALVANIZING LINE
Inlet Side
Welding Machine
Furnaces
Strip Cooling
HEAT
River Water EXCHANGERS Zinc Pot
Water Cooler
Activation
Outlet Side
Corrosion Inhibitor Hydraulics Cooling
Air Conditioning
Make-up Water Electrics
Figure B.2-5: Cooling water system with heat exchangers

[CC 11/99]
B.2.2.9 Water Circuits/Water Management
Process water is water which is used for make-up of chemical solutions or which is in direct
contact with the strip (e.g. water for direct strip cooling). It may be contaminated by the process
and has then to be treated as waste water. The following process water streams are used at
galvanizing lines and are finally discharged as waste water:
- Make-up water (usually deionized water) for concentrate preparation of the chemical strip
treatment sections (pre-treatment, electrolytic treatment, post treatment). The different
concentrates are sprayed onto strip or the strip is running through the concentrate bath. The
concentrates are usually recirculated by pumps. They are clarified or filtered in recycling
plants during recirculation. Only a small flow is discharged as high concentrated waste water
to the water treatment plant.
- Rinsing water (usually deionized water) for chemical treatment sections (pretreatment,
electrolytic treatment, post treatment). The rinsing water is used for removing of remaining
concentrate from the strip. The water sprayed onto strip in a cascade of rinsing sections, with
the water flowing countercurrently to the strip. It is finally discharged as low concentrated
waste water to the water treatment plant.
- Make-up water for the water cooler. In the water cooler the strip is cooled first by
recirculated spray water and finally by running through a water bath with an immersed turn
back roll. The water will be contaminated by abrasion dust and has to be discharged from
time to time to the skin pass mill water treatment plant.
- Spray water for the skin pass mill. The water is used for keeping the working rolls clean. It is
sprayed onto the rolls and contaminated by Zn-containing abrasion dust and lubricating oil
and is discharged to the skin pass mill water treatment plant.

Part B/Chapter 2
B.2.3 Aluminizing of Sheet
Most aluminium coated steel coil is produced by some variation on the hot dip galvanizing
process. Figure B.2-6 shows the schematic line of production for applying aluminium coatings.
The production line usually includes a passivation section, which is either in-line or is off line in
a separate process unit.
Due to affinity of aluminium for oxygen it is extremely important to ensure against the
formation of an oxide layer which would prevent diffusion of the aluminium into the steel
substrate. The steel is sometimes spray or chloride gas pickled prior to annealing [ERM95]. The
formation of an oxide layer can then be prevented by using a number of methods, like:
- Passing the washed and pickled steel through a furnace with a hydrogen atmosphere to
eliminate oxygen (the absorbed hydrogen further protects the substrate as it passes into the
molten aluminium bath).
- Dipping the pickled steel in a molten aluminium bath that is kept saturated with hydrogen
injected by submerged jets.
The aluminium bath is generally maintained at temperatures of about 690 oC. The coated coil
can then be further heat treated at 820 - 930 ºC, which converts the aluminium coating
completely to steel-aluminium alloy if required. [ERM95]
Following the coating the strips may be subjected to post-treatment in order to prevent surface
damages and flaws, as white rust caused by condensation in case of insufficient air access.
Passivation: spray treatment with solvents containing chromic acids. For hot dip metal-coated
strip, a coat of 10 - 35 mg/m² per side is applied. Coat thickness is therefore extremely thin (few
nanometer only). During passivation Cr6+ is partly conversed to Cr3+. The strip is treated with
solutions between 0.5 – 2 % of Cr6+ and temperatures between 50 -120 ºC.
Anti-finger print: wringer rolls treatment of a polymer base coating on the strip surface. A coat
weight (after drying) of < 1.5 g / m² per side is applied.

Part B/Chapter 2
Figure B.2-6: Aluminium coating process

[EUROFER CC]
B.2.4 Lead-Tin Coating of Sheet
Pure lead is never used as coating material for steel due to the fact that it is not possible to
produce a lead-steel alloy and obtain an adhesive coating. However, steel coils are coated with a
lead-tin alloy containing 8 - 25 % tin, called 'terne' metal. The terne metal can also contain up to
3 % antimony. Tin and antimony first form alloys with the steel substrate, which provides the
adhesion for the lead/tin surface coating.
Terne coating provides a high degree of external corrosion resistance. The coating keeps its
integrity during deep drawing and forming, and it also acts as lubricant during same operations.
Terne coatings have excellent solderability and are usually welded. It is widely used in the
automotive industry for the manufacture of petrol tanks and for different applications such as
gas meters.

Part B/Chapter 2
A flow sheet for lead-tin coating (ternex process) is shown in Figure B.2-7. First, the cold
reduced substrate is cleaned by (electrolytical) degreasing and pickled, usually in warm, diluted
hydrochloric or nitric acid. Then, in cases of nickel flash terne coating, a thin nickel coating is
applied electrolytically. This improves wetting of the substrate by the alloy in the following hot
dip stage and yields continuous and uniform coatings. [ERM95]
The continuous film of nickel on both surfaces of the steel strip will readily alloy with tin to
form the basis for a discontinuity free layer of terne metal. The strip is passed through plating
cells, containing titanium baskets filled with nickel pellets. An electrolyte consisting of Watts
solution (nickel sulphate/ chloride) is heated and recirculated through the plating cell and is
maintained at 65 ºC with a pH of 2.5 - 5.0. [Com-CC-2]
In the following step, the steel enters the molten terne bath at a temperature of 310 ºC through a
zinc ammonium chloride flux. To control coating thickness air knives are used nowadays. These
provide a wiping action to remove surplus lead from the strips surface. Oil baths, which have
been used before in coating thickness control, have been replaced due to bad environmental
performance. After cooling, the coil can be post-treated for protection either by oiling or
passivation.
Passivation
To seal the surface of the strip and passivate any pores or exposed areas of substrate against
oxidation, the strip is led through a dip tank with the passivation agent, usually chromic acid
based. A squeegee roll system on the exit of the tank stops any carry over from the tank and
controls the film thickness. If required a drier can be used to raise the temperature of the strip
and cure the chromate film on the surface of the strip.
Oiling
To apply a wet film of oil on the surface of the strip roller coater systems, spray systems or
electrostatic oiling machines can be used

Part B/Chapter 2
Figure B.2-7: Ternex process

[EUROFER CC]

Part B/Chapter 2
B.2.5 Wire Hot Dip Coating
Wire is hot dip coated mainly with zinc and zinc alloys (e.g. Galfan 95 % Zn, 5 % Al); the main
function of these types of coating is corrosion protection. Other coatings that are applied by hot
dipping are tin and aluminium. Aluminium is used for some corrosion protection on niche
products. Tin gives a shiny appearance and also provides a solder adhesive layer. The
application processes for these hot dip coatings are basicily the same.
A continuous hot-dip coating line for wire consists of following production steps: the wire is
pickled, rinsed, dipped in a flux-bath, dried, passed through the molten metal bath and cooled
again. Eventually a water based protective coating (so-called wax) can be applied after the hot
dip coating step. [Com BG]
B.2.5.1 Continuous Pickling of Wire
Following heat treatment (see also Chapter A.2.3.5) or as a starting step for hot dip coating, the
wire is pickled to remove surface debris to improve its appearance or to prepare the surface for
the application of coatings. This is usually done in-line either by immersing the wire in an acid
bath or by subjecting it to a neutral salt bipolar electrolysis cell.
In acid pickling the wire is cleaned by passing it continuously through one or more hydrochloric
acid baths; sometimes H2SO4 is used. Due to the short residence times, the HCl acid is often
heated (up to 60 °C) or is used in concentrated form.. The type of impurities that are removed
in this bath depend on the previous process step:
- For heat treated wire: metal oxides, residues of soap carrier, possibly traces of lead.
- For drawn wire: residues of soap, oil or other lubricant and traces of rust. Sometimes a
degreasing agent is added to the HCl-bath to enhance removal of these substances.
[Com BG].
Faster pickling and higher wire speeds are realised by increasing the length of the bath, by
increasing temperature of HCl, by increasing the concentration of the bath or by applying
electrolytic assisted pickling. HCl-fumes from the pickling baths are collected and removed by
scrubbing.
After pickling, the wire is passed through a rinsing cascade. [Com BG]
B.2.5.2 Fluxing
For good adhesion of the zinc coating, the wire is passed through a flux bath, a heated watery
solution of ZnCl2 and NH4Cl. (pure ZnCl2 is used for tin coating). Excess flux is removed from
the wire by wiping. Prior to coating, the wire is dried; this can be done in a furnace or with the
internal heat of the wire. With high wire diameters and/or efficient wipers, the internal heat of
the wire (due to the heating in the flux bath) is sufficient to secure a dry wire. The wire must be
dry before entering the flux bath to prevent squirting at the inlet of the zinc bath.
The same flux media are used as for batch galvanizing, however the concentration is generally
much lower. For zinc coatings usually a ZnCl2/NH4Cl mixture is used (pure ZnCl2 is used for
tin coating). [Com BG]

Part B/Chapter 2
The wire is passed through a molten zinc bath (430 - 470 °C). In the zinc bath, an iron - zinc
diffusion layer is formed, consisting of sublayers of several Fe-Zn alloys. A zinc layer is
formed on top of this, at the moment the wire leaves the zinc bath. Galvanizing can be divided
in heavy (vertical) galvanizing (high coating thickness; coating mainly consists of the
withdrawn zinc) and regular (horizontal) galvanizing (low coating thickness; the coating is
mainly iron-zinc alloy layer). [Com2 BG]
Most zinc baths are heated through the bottom and the side walls with natural gas or other fuel.
Exceptionally electric heating is used and/or heating is done from above the zinc bath.
A protective layer of particulate material or a bath cover can be applied on (a part of) the zinc
bath, in order to minimize formation of zinc oxides and energy losses.
After the zinc bath, the wire is cooled to near ambient temperature using air and cooling water.
Hot dipping in other metals or alloys is done in the same way. [Com BG]
B.2.5.4 Finishing
Eventually, a wax layer is applied for protection against formation of so-called white rust
(superficial corrosion of the zinc layer).

Part B/Chapter 3
B.3 PRESENT CONSUMPTION AND EMISSION LEVELS

FOR CONTINUOUS COATING LINES
B.3.1 Continuous Coating Mass Stream Overview
Energy Electrical
Natural Gas
Desulphurised Coke gas
Coating Metal Zinc

Aluminium
Zn-Al-Alloy
Lead-Tin
Water Cooling
Rinsing
Scrubbers
Acid Hydrochloric Acid

Nitric Acid
Oil/Grease
Miscellaneous
Rolling Emulsion
Alkaline Degreasing Agents
Corrosion inhibitors,
Biocides, Flocculating agents
Inert Gas, Compressed Air
Ni-electrolyte
Flux
Zinc Powder, Zn-chloride
Soap Carrier
CR / HR Strip Continuous Coating Line Coated Strip

Cold Drawn Wire Pickling Fluxing Degreasing Heat Treatment Coated Wire
Dipping Galvannealing Finishing
Air Emissions Particles

Combustion Products
Oil Burn-off
Oil Mist
Oil, Grease
Acid Aerosols
Liquid Waste Spent Flux Chrome
Spent Pickle Liquor Cooling Tower Emissions
Spent Degreasing Agent
By-Products Chromate Wastes
and Waste Scrap
Dross
Miscellaneous Noise
Oily sludge
Visual Amenity
Furnace Scale
Refractory Material
Note: Pickling only for HR band and wire coating; Fluxing for wire coating
Figure B.3-1: Input/Output balance for continuous hot dip (sheet)coating lines

Part B/Chapter 3

1
Zinc (coating metal) 25 – 48 kg/t
Energy:
natural gas 800 - 1300 MJ/t
electrical 44 - 140 MJ/t
hot water 20 - 44 MJ/t
Hydrogen 0.75 – 2.5 Nm3/t
Nitrogen 13 - 80 Nm3/t
Water2
entry section: 8 -10 m3/h
coating section: 0.5 - 10.5 m3/h
exit section: 0.5 - 6 m3/h
Water total (added to the system) 0.167 – 0.4 Nm3/t
Waste air from combustion heating
SO2 4 0 - 100 g/t 0 - 80 mg/m3
NOx 4 0 - 100 g/t 0.5 - 700 mg/m3
4
Chromium
(from chemical treatment zone) 0.001 - 0.360 g/t < 0.08 - 1.7 mg/m3
Acid aerosols
3
Waste water 4 (~0.002) - (~5) m /t
5
Total Suspended Solids 0.04 - 11 g/t 0.2 - 25 mg/l
COD 5 - 150 g/t 23 - 750 mg/l
Waste3:
Oily sludge 0.004 –0.36 kg/t
Sludge from waste water 0.1 - 1.5 kg/t
treatment
Plate scrap1 1.5 - 36 kg/t
Zn containing material 4 0 - 4.5 kg/t
(scum, surfaces mattes, slags, dust )
Dross
1
Source of data [Com-CC-2]
2
Source [EUROFER CC]
3
Single plant data, [EUROFER CC]
4
Source of [EC Study], including untreated discharge, lower end of scattering range from [Com-CC-2]
5
Unit changed from mg/m3 to mg/l
6
data from 3 plants, included are spills of lubricants and hydraulic, for disposal or internal recycling
Table B.3-1: Consumption and emission levels for the total coating line

Part B/Chapter 3
B.3.2 Galvanizing of Steel
B.3.2.1 Pickling of Steel Sheet
Data from pickling in cold rolling mills also apply for this sector.

HCl kg/t
Waste gas1:
HCl 0.12 g/t
1
Single plant data
Table B.3-2: Consumption and emission levels for pickling
B.3.2.2 Degreasing
Fumes generated in degreasing and brushing are collected and scrubbed, using water or caustic
soda solution or led via a demister without scrubbing.
Spent degreasing agent and waste water from the rinsing and brushing operations are sent to
waste water treatment before release. Degreasing solution is generally regenerated and re-
circulated to the degreasing baths. Oils are separated from the baths and the composition of the
alkali solution is re-adjusted.
Sometimes the solution is treated in an emulsion separation centre and then biologically treated.
[Com-CC-2]
Oil separated from the alkali solution is used as fuel for the production of heat.

Water 0.063 – 0.25 m3/t
Detergents < 0.45 kg/t
Air:
NaOH, 0.05 g/t
(PO4)2-
Waste water:
NaOH, 0.45 kg/t
(PO4)2-
Oil
Waste:
Oily sludge 0.18 kg/t
Fe2O3, Fe SO4
Source of data [Com-CC-2], single plant data
Table B.3-3: Consumption and emission levels for degreasing

Part B/Chapter 3
Non-oxidizing type (D.F.F.):

Natural gas and coke gas, previously in some cases desulphurised, are used for firing. The naked
flame in this type of furnace is directly heating the strip surface. No degreasing of the strip is
necessary, as the oil is burnt in the furnace. However, additional air emissions, apart from the fuel
combustion products, are generated by the combustion of the oil. The pollutants released are: CO2,
CO and NOx. As the furnace is operated under reducing conditions by use of inert gases the waste
gas also contains H2, and N2.
If coke gas is used as fuel, SO2 will also be generated, with a concentration depending on the
sulphur content in the fuel.
Radiant type (R.T.F.):

Since there is no contact between the flame and the surface of the strip, air emissions are only
generated by gas combustion, consisting mainly of CO2/CO, NOx and SO2, if coke gas is used as
fuel.

Hydrogen 0.75 – 2.5 Nm3/t
Nitrogen 13 - 80 Nm3/t
NH3 (dissociated)1 0.7 Nm3/t
Energy
Waste gas:
Heat Treatment Furnace(R.T.F) 1
Carbon monoxide (CO) 1.21 – 23.3 g/t
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 55.4 - 105 g/t
Note: Source of data [EUROFER CC], [Com-CC-2]
1
Data from 3 plants
Table B.3-4: Consumption and emission levels for heat treatment
In modern facilities, the molten bath is heated by means of an electric induction systems. Older
facilities using fuel-oil or gas produce the typical emissions (fumes corresponding to each
different type of fuel). CO2, CO, NOx,; if fuel-oil or coke gas is burnt, also SO2 are emitted.
Waste generated by galvanizing are bath splashes and dross formed in the bath.

Part B/Chapter 3

a
Zinc (coating metal) 25 – 48 kg/t
Energy:
Waste gas from heating the zinc bath1:
CO 5 - 10 g/t
NOx 2 20 - 40 g/t
SO2 2 0.2 - 0.5 g/t
Hydrocarbons 0.1 - 0.2 g/t
Soot 0.1 – 0.2 g/t
Plate scrapa 1.5 - 36 kg/t
Zn containing materiala 0 - 4.5 kg/t
Note: source of data [ERM95]; a: Source of data [Com-CC-2]

1
Does not apply when electrically heated.
2
when using 0.3 % sulphur fuel oil: 110 g NOx /t and 36 gSO2/t [ERM95]
Table B.3-5: Consumption and emission levels for galvanizing
In modern facilities, the strip is reheated in an induction furnace. When reheating is done in
conventional gas-fired furnaces, waste gas with a composition that depends on the type of gas used
is generated.

Energy
Waste gas1:
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0.84 g/t
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) 0.93 g/t
Note: Source of data [Com-CC-2]
1
when oil-fired, single plant data
Table B.3-6: Consumption and emission levels for galvannealing
Oiling
Nowadays, the oily protection is mainly applied by electrostatic oily machines, which produce
negligible emission levels.
Passivation
Cr emission data are already enclosed in the table B.3-1 on the page 254.
Phosphating
è No information submitted.

Part B/Chapter 3
B.3.2.7 Finishing
The water + detergent method produces a temper mill emulsion that, when spent, must be collected
and sent to the waste water treatment plant. Not all installations use emulsions, some use solution
or nothing. [Com-CC-2]

Emulsion
Energy
Effluent from skin pass mill1:
(previous to the treatment)
SS (filterable) 30 mg/l
COD 60 mg/l
Sum of hydrocarbons 8.0 mg/l
(oil + grease)
Zn total 1 mg/l
Note: Source of data [Com-CC-2]
1
single plant data
Table B.3-7: Consumption and emission levels for finishing

Part B/Chapter 3
B.3.2.8 Waste Water Treatment
The following concentrations for selected waste water pollutants after treatment were reported:

Corrosion inhibitors, partly Zn-based
Biocides: sodium hypochlorite, sodium bromide
Flocculating agents:
Aluminium sulphate, polymers
Waste water discharge 0.43c m3/t
1,2
Waste water :
suspended solids3 0.04c – 2.91b g/t 0.2 – 25c mg/l
Iron 0.09 – 0.54b g/t 0.01 – 6c mg/l
Nickel 0.04 - 0.004b g/t 0.02c mg/l
Zinc 0.05 - 0.005b g/t 0.02 – 1.23c
a
mg/l
Lead 0.0084a g/t 0.03a mg/l
Chromium <0.01–0.43c mg/l
Cr6+ 0 – 0.02c mg/l
COD 5 –150c g/t 23 –750c mg/l
TOC 0.19 - 8.5b g/t
Hydrocarbons 0.074a g/t 0.28a – 5c mg/l
Oil and fat 0.073 – 2.7b
Phosphorus 0.0008 - 0.07b g/t 0.08a – 10c mg/l
Water Treatment Sludge (dry material) 0.1 – 1.5 kg/t
Chemical Treatment sludges 0.12c kg/t high concentrations of
(aquepos solutions and sludges from Cr and Cr6+
chromatizing process, dry material)
Note: source of data a: [Com D], b: [Com-CC-2], c: [EC Study]
1
some figures are single plant data, data base for ranges are figures from up to 6 plants
2
figures for specific emissions and concentration do not necessarily refer to the same plant
3
[EC Study] reported as high as 11 g/t TSS.
Table B.3-8: Consumption and emission levels for waste water treatment
The aluminium coating process gives rise to emissions to air, namely combustion products from
firing fuels in the furnaces and to by-products, such as dross. The process is very similar to hot
dip galvanising with similar emissions in the main products of combustion, cooling waters and
by products such as dross.
Typical emissions of water are: pH 6.0 - 8.5, Temperature < 21 ºC, flow 500 m3/day
Energy Consumption: Electricity 67 kWh/t

Gas 273 kWh/t
Water 0.11 m3/t [Com-CC-2]

Part B/Chapter 3
There are no emissions of lead from the terne bath (380 - 450 ºC working temperature) as it has
been proved by extensive surveys on the environment in working places. [EUROFER CC]
From heating the terne metal and maybe the treatment baths, emissions to air (combustion
products) arise.
Emissions from the oil bath and extractors on the exit of the terne pot are extracted and passed
through a catalytic oxidizer. This oxidizes a range of hydrocarbons with molecular weights varying
from 50 to over 250 and also removes odour from the fume. Fumes from cleaners, pickling, nickel
plating and fluxing sections are passed through a water scrubber prior to emission. [ERM95]
There has been some information that oil baths (and also catalytic oxidizers) are no longer used
and that nowadays air knives are used to control coating thickness. [Com-CC-2]
Other outputs to be expected from the process are solid wastes and by-products, like spent flux
or dross, and waste water. [EUROFER CC]

Energy: Electricity 2.43 kWh/t
Gas 1490 MJ/t
Water 3.0 m3/t
Waste water discharge:
(after effluent treatment)
Suspended solids 30.0 g/t mg/l
COD 90.0 g/t mg/l
Chromium 0.028 g/t mg/l
Cr6+ n.a. mg/l
Copper 0.014
Lead 0.155 g/t mg/l
Nickel 0.565 g/t mg/l
Zinc 0.266 g/t mg/l
Iron 9.86 g/t
Emissions to Air:
NO2 27.58 g/t
HCl 10.38 g/t
SOx negligible when gas fired
Particulate negligible when gas fired
CO2 42.0 kg/t
Waste:
Filter Cake (effluent treatment) 7.52 kg/t
Caustic Waste 1.47 kg/t
Zinc Chloride 1.96 kg/t
Chromate 0.73 kgt
Oil 0.49 kg/t
Waste Sludge 10.5 kg/t
Note: source of data [Com-CC-2], single plant data
Figure B.3-2: Consumption and emission levels for lead-tin coating

Part B/Chapter 3
Data available for one plant [UK-5/98]:
With air knife / wet Cooling and gauge control

scrubber using oil / catalytic oxidizer
(after revamp) ('Old system')
Emissions to air: particulates
VOC < 1 mg/m3 150 mg/m3
all metalls < 1 mg/m3 100 mg/m3
3
acid gases < 1 mg/m
30 mg/m3
Waste water: SS 400 mg/l
COD 600 mg/l
Fe 250 mg/l
Cr 5 mg/l
Cu 2 mg/l
Ni 5 mg/l
Pb 2 mg/l
Zn 5 mg/l
pH 6 - 11
Waste: iron-rich filter cake from effluent treatment,
with high chlorine content

Part B/Chapter 3
B.3.5 Wire Hot Dip Coating (Galvanizing)
Pickling is done in partially diluted HCl. The HCl bath is heated with a steam- or hot-water
coil. Water is consumed in the form of rinsing water and scrubbing water and leaves the
installation ultimately as waste water. [Com BG]

HCl (expressed as 32 % HCl) 10 - 100 kg/t
1
Energy for heating the HCl-bath no figure available
Scrubber / rinsing water 0.5 - 5 m3/t
Spent HCl containing 2: 5 - 100 l/t
Total Cl 150 – 275 g/l
Fe 60 - 125 g/l
3
Waste water from scrubber / rinsing 0.5 - 5 m /t no representative
figure available 3
Emissions from scrubber:
HCl 0 – 30 mg/m3
Note: source of data [Com BG], reference is tonnage of pickled wire
1
often the bath is heated by residual heat in the wire
2
other contaminants depending on previous steps, e.g. soap residues, pickled soap carrier, Pb...
3
huge variations
Table B.3-9: Consumption and emission levels for pickling of wire
B.3.5.2 Fluxing
The flux bath is heated with a steam- or hot water coil. Drying of the wire after the flux bath
can be done in an oven or through the residual heat in the wire. Often, the oven is heated with
the residual heat of the exhaust gas of the zinc bath heating. [Com BG]

Flux salt 0.2 - 2.5 kg/t
Energy for heating the flux-bath n.a.
Water (make-up/replace evaporation losses)1
Spent flux negligible
Note: source of data [Com BG], reference is tonnage of fluxed wire
1
negligible to rinsing and cooling water consumption
Table B.3-10: Consumption and emission levels for fluxing of wire
The zinc bath is heated through the walls and bottom using natural gas or other fuel. Tiles of
zinc are added to the zinc bath. Through drag-in of traces of Fe, and through oxidation, dross is
formed, which has to be removed.

Part B/Chapter 3
Following the zinc bath, the wire is cooled with water. [Com BG]

Zinc 15 - 150 kg/t
Energy for heating of the zinc-bath n.a.
Cooling water 0.2 - 1 m3/t
Bath cover material n.a.
Zinc-containing residues (top-dross, 5 - 25 kg/t
bottom dross, waste bath cover material)
Exhaust gas of zinc bath heating 1
Emissions of zinc bath:
Zn 2 0–1 mg/m3
Dust 2 0 – 15 mg/m3
Note: source of data [Com BG]
1
typical emissions of natural gas fired furnace (unless other energy carrier is used
2
small sources can have higher concentrations, as in most countries, small sources only have to comply with a limit
for mass flow
Table B.3-11: Consumption and emission levels for hot dipping of wire
B.3.5.4 Noise Issues in a Wire Plant
Excessive noise is primarily an internal occupational health issue, with precautions normally
taken to protect employees where it is not practical to prevent or reduce noise at the source. In
some instances, depending on the location of the process and noise characteristics, depending
on local off-site aspects (other noise sources, nearby residential area,...), and depending on local
plant aspects (noise reduction by the building structure), there can be a concern for noise off-
site.
The main sources of noise in wire processes are:

· Rotating equipment, e.g. wet drawing machines; dry drawing machines; take-up units and
pull-through units on coating lines.
· Air-wipes or air-brushes which clean the wire using compressed air can have a high
frequency noise.
· Pay-off units of wire rod have a particular repetitive noise.
· Burners of ovens.
These operations are typically continuous operations and are operated inside a building. In this
way, the impact outside the building is minimized to such an extent, that noise generated by
these operations rarely is an issue when concerning noise off-site.
Case studies show that non-process sources outside the building, such as ventilation or plant
utilities, are the main concern in wire plants located close to e.g. a residential area. Measures
such as relocation, insulation or local enclosure can be considered for this last category of
sources.

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4 TECHNIQUES TO CONSIDER IN THE DETERMINATION

OF BAT FOR CONTINUOUS COATING LINES
B.4.1 Galvanizing of Sheet
B.4.1.1 General Advice /Whole Plant
B.4.1.1.1 Oil-tight Trays or Cellars
Description:
Several hydraulic stations and oil- or grease-lubricated equipment are required for galvanising
lines. These units are usually situated in oil-tight trays or cellars to avoid penetration of oil into
ground in case of leakage. [Com-CC-2]
Main environmental benefits:

· The risk to contaminate the soil is minimized. [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants [Com-CC-2].
Cross media effects: No [Com-CC-2]

Operational data:
Economics: IC and OC are both lows. [Com-CC-2]
Driving force for implementation: environment requirements [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.1.2 Recycling of Oil Containing Waste
Description:
Oil containing waste, such as the waste oil collected in the trays and sumps and the sludge from
the oil separator of the water treatment plants, should be collected and stored separately from
other waste. The collected oily waste can be used as fuel for blast furnace (in an integrated
process) instead of landfilling. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduction in waste [Com-CC-2].
· Increase of the waste recycling rate [Com-CC-2].
Applicability: New and existing plants [Com-CC-2]
Reference plant: Many plants [Com-CC-2]

Operational data:
Economics: IC and OC are both medium [Com-CC-2]
Driving force for implementation: Environments requirements [Com-CC-2]
GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 287

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.1.2 Pickling of Steel Sheet
The techniques to consider in the determination of BAT for pickling in sheet galvanizing plants
are same as for pickling operations in cold rolling. For descriptions and comments on these
techniques refer to Part A, chapters A.4.2.1.1, A.4.2.1.4, A.4.2.1.5 to A.4.2.1.10, A.4.2.1.16,
A.4.2.1.17, A.4.2.1.22 to A.4.2.1.25.
B.4.1.3 Degreasing
B.4.1.3.1 Cascade (multiple) Use of Degreasing Solutions
Description:
The solution from the electrolytic degreasing section is reused in the spray section, once a certain
oil level is reached. The spent degreasing solution of the spray section is sent away to be
regenerated. The oil residues out of the regeneration devices are incinerated out of the site, and the
rinse waters are treated in the main water treatment plant. Leakages and splashes are collected and
treated.

· Reduced degreasing solution consumption (fresh water consumption).
· Reduction of waste water and sludge in the water treatment plant [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing lines, provided space is available. [Com-CC-2].
· Increased energy consumption [Com-CC-2].
Reference plants: - several plants [Com-CC-2].
Operational data:
15 m3/h of demineralized water is needed. (For the material that need this quality with a
production yield of 68 t/h) [Com-CC-2]
Economics: Investments costs are medium and operative costs are low. [Com-CC-2]

B.4.1.3.2 Cleaning and Recirculation of Degreasing Baths
Description: More detailed information see Chapter D.4.3

Spent degreasing solution is cleaned, e.g. in an ultrafiltration device or a magnetic filter. The
oily sludge may be used as reductor in the blast furnace; the treated degreasing bath is recycled.
Fig shows an example of a degreasing solution circuit.

Part B/Chapter 4
Steel Steel
Strip ALKALINE & ELECTROLYTIC Strip
DEGREASING
RECIRCULATION
of
DEGREASING SOLUTION
Degreaser
Fresh FRESH SOLUTION MAGNETIC

Water PREPARATION FILTER
Outlet Water
to Central
SEPARATOR
Water
Backwash Waste Water Treatment Plant
Figure B.4-1: Example of a degreasing solution recycling system

[CC 11/99]

· Reduction of alkaline chemical consumption, [Com-CC-2].
· Reduction of water volume and sludge volume in the water treatment plant. [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants with no space problems for pumps, pipes tanks etc. [Com-CC-2].
· Increased energy consumption [Com-CC-2].
·
Reference plants: Voest-Alpine line 1 and 2, Aceralia line 2, Galtec 1 and others [Com-CC-2]
Operational data: Water consumption of 5 m3/h with the same consideration than before.
[Com-CC-2]
Economics: high investment and high operational costs. [Com-CC-2]
Driving force for implementation: Environmental requirements [Com-CC-2]

B.4.1.3.3 Degreasing by Burning Oil in the Heat Treatment Furnace
Description:
Oil on the steel surface is burnt in the heat treatment furnaces. Alkaline degreasing is omitted.

· No emissions to water [Com-CC-2].
· No generation of waste [Com-CC-2].
· Emissions to the atmosphere are lower than those generated in alkaline liquid degreasing.
[EUROFER CC].

Part B/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· When requirements for surface cleanliness and zinc adhesion are not very high. [Com-CC-2]
Cross-media effects: Air emission through burning of oil rest [Com-CC-2].
Reference plants: Galtec 1 [Com-CC-2]
Operational data:
In some cases it might still be necessary to have a degreasing section before the furnace for
some high quality appliances. The furnace is not so easy to control as a radiant tubes furnace.
Fumes from the furnace. [Com-CC-2]
Economics:
Investment and operative costs are reduced because no need for preceding sections. [Com E]
It is cheap on operation and installation. [Com-CC-2]

B.4.1.3.4 Treatment of Spent Degreasing Baths

· Reduction of waste.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.1.3.5 Treatment of Alkaline Waste water

·
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.1.3.6 Degreasing Vapour Collection and Treatment
Description:
Vapours generated by degreasing are collected by means of an exhaust device and subject to a
scrubber or demister for abatement. Waste water originating from scrubbing are subject to water
treatment.

· Reduction of fugitive emission.
· Reduction in degreasing fume emission.
Applicability:
· New and existing plants with degreasing devices [Com-CC-2].
· Existing plants with no space problems [Com-CC-2].
· Scrubber: water consumption (evaporation) and sludge generation in water treatment plant
[Com-CC-2].
· Demister: depending on the cleaning technique used, treatment of spraying water or
solvents [Com-CC-2].
Reference plants: - Several [Com-CC-2], Jenn An, Taiwan [Danieli]

Operational data: 5 m3/h of recirculate water (evaporate) for a production yield of 66 t/h
[Com-CC-2]
Economics: medium [Com-CC-2]

Driving force for implementation: Local conditions or requirements from local authorities
that lead to implementation. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.3.7 Using Squeeze Rolls
Description:
The remaining degreasing solution or rinse water on the steel strip is removed from the strip by
squeeze rolls before leaving each treating section. This will assure that dragout of solution into
next section is minimized and loss of chemicals and contamination of rinse water is also
minimized. [Com-CC-2]
Fig shows an example of a chemical pre-treatment section of a hot dip galvanizing line for sheet
using squeeze rolls and cascade rinsing (for efficient rinse water use).

Part B/Chapter 4
Squeeze Rolls
Alkaline Cleaning Electrolytic Cleaning Brushing Rinsing
Strip
Strip
1 2 3 4
5 6
1 Alkaline Cleaning Recycling

2 Electrolytic Cleaning Unit
3 Brushing
4 Rinse 1 Fresh Soluti on Waste Water
Fresh Water
5 Rinse 2
6 Rinse 3 Waste Water,
Sludge
Figure B.4-2: Chemical pre-treatment section for a sheet hot dip coating line (example)
[CC 11/99]

· Reduction of raw materials consumption, [Com-CC-2].
· Reduction of waste water volume and of sludge in the waste water treatment plant [Com-
CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants with degreasing and rinsing sections. [Com-CC-2].

Reference plants: many plants. [Com-CC-2]
Operational data:
Economics: The initial investment in not so high and the operating cost is cheap. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.4.1 Low-NOx Burner

· Lower CO and NOx emissions [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants, sometimes when the gas is preheated with gas is not possible.
[Com-CC-2].
· Higher energy consumption.

Part B/Chapter 4
Reference plants: Voest- Alpine HDG lines 1- 2, Aceralia line 2, Galtec 1 and many others.
[Com-CC-2]
Operational data:
Concentration of NOx between 300 - 500 mg/Nm3 and CO between 10 - 20 mg/m3 [Com-CC-
2]; other sources reported 250 – 400 mg/Nm3 [Com2 A].
Economics: Expensive technique on operation (through higher consumption) and investment
[Com-CC-2]

B.4.1.4.2 Preheating of Combustion Air with Recovery Heat
Description: see Chapters D.1.1 and D.1.2

The heat of the exhaust gases is recovery by a heat exchanger (regenerative burner, recuperative
burners or external recuperators, (see Part D) and transferred partially to the combustion air.
[Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of energy consumption [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New plants and existing plants in case of major modernisation [Com-CC-2].
· Increase in NOx emissions [Com-CC-2]
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics: IC=medium, OC is cheap [Com-CC-2]
riving force for implementation:
B.4.1.4.3 Preheating the Strip with Recovery Heat
Description:
Downstream of the entry looper, bridging the period of strip welding, the strip passes through a
preheating zone where the residual heat of the waste gas is utilized. [Com-CC-2]

Applicability:
· New and existing plants on major modernisation. Depending on the available heat on the
fumes. [Com-CC-2]
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics: IC=medium, OC is cheap [Com-CC-2]

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.1.4.4 Steam Production with Recovery Heat
Description: No description and technical information submitted.

· Reduction of energy consumption.
Applicability:
· New and existing plants on major modernisation. Depending of the available heat on the
fumes [Com-CC-2].
Reference plants:
Operational data: Increase of the risk of corrosion by a possible condensation of water. It is

important for this technique the existence near this installation of a steam consumer.
Economics: IC: high, OC: medium [Com-CC-2]

B.4.1.4.5 Inductive Heating System

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.1.5.1 Dross Treatment

Description:
On hot dip galvanising lines, more than 10 % of the metallic zinc consumed appears as dross,
mainly Zn and ZnO, on top of the molten zinc bath. Because of likely adverse effect on the
galvanised steel sheet, it is manually removed. The arising residual product can be sold to zinc
smelters or being treated directly on-site to receive a zinc ash, which has only 20 % of the
former volume and can then be sold to the zinc producing industry for a higher price.
Figure B.4-3 shows a diagrammatic view of a zinc recovery plant. [DFIU]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data: Economics:

Part B/Chapter 4
Flux inlet
Fume
(Scrubber)
Reactor
Recovered zinc
Dross inlet oxides
Pot
wall
Recovery.dsf
Figure B.4-3: Diagrammatic view of a recovery system for zinc from dross
[DFIU-99]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data: Economics:
B.4.1.5.2 External Recycling of Coating Material Slag
Description:
Zinc slag is collected and returned to the zinc supplier for recycling of zinc. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of waste [Com-CC-2].
· Saving natural sources.
Applicability:
· New and existing plants. [Com-CC-2].

Operational data:
Economics: IC and OC are both low [Com-CC-2]
Driving force for implementation: Environmental and economics [Com-CC-2]

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.1.6.1 Induction Electrical Furnace
Description:
An induction electrical furnace is a relatively new technique, which is applied in the Hot Dip
Coating process. It is possible to use it to galvanneal the coated strip, as well as in the drier
stage of the organic coating (if there were any) in the final finishing phase. Strictly speaking,
this technique is not new (it appeared about five years ago). However, it undergoes a continuous
innovation, such as frequency variations and others.
This application could improve the environmental performance of the conventional furnaces
when dealing with a hot dip process context, since there is not gas emissions from this stage.
The price of the electrical power is not necessary acceptable. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduced air emissions.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
.
B.4.1.7.1 Covering the Strip Oiling Machine

· Reduction of oil fumes emissions in the atmosphere. [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants with this strip oiling device. [Com-CC-2].
Cross media effects:

Operational data:
Economics: IC is medium and OC is low. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.7.2 Electrostatic Oiling
Description:
Light heated oil (anticorrosion or deepdrawing oil) is electrostatically settled on the zinc
surface. The machine is covered and the splashed oil is collected and reinjected. [Com-CC-2]

Part B/Chapter 4

· Reduced oil emissions [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants [Com-CC-2].
Cross-media effects: No [Com-CC-2]

Reference plants: all the SIDMAR lines. [Com-CC-2]
Operational data: It is not able to make the dry lubricant protection. [Com-CC-2]
Economics: Invest costs are high, operational costs are medium. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.7.3 Cleaning and Reuse of Phosphating Solution
Description:
The phosphate solution is filtered through filters while recirculated. Only a small amount of
exhausted solution is discharged from time to time and treated externally. The waste water from
the rinsing section is also treated externally in the water treatment plant. This treatment may
also be carried out off site. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of phosphating chemical consumption, [Com-CC-2].
· Reduction of water outlets and volume of sludge in the water treatment plant. [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New installations and existing if space is not a problem in revamping [Com-CC-2].
· Energy consumption [Com-CC-2].
Reference plants: Voest-Alpine [Com-CC-2]

Operational data:
Economics: IC=medium, OC=medium [Com-CC-2]
Reference literature: Voest Alpine, internal document. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.7.4 Cleaning and Reuse of Chromating Solution
Description:
The chromium solution is filtered through filters while recirculated. Exhausted solution is
discharged from time to time and treated externally in the water treatment plant. This treatment
may also be carried out off site. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of chromium chemical consumption, [Com-CC-2].
· Reduction of water outlets and volume of sludge in the water treatment plant. [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and revamped lines if no space problems [Com-CC-2].

Part B/Chapter 4
· Energy consumption [Com-CC-2].
Reference plants: Voest Alpine [Com-CC-2]

Operational data:
Economics: IC=medium, OC=medium [Com-CC-2]
Reference literature: Voest Alpine, internal document. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.7.5 Covered Process Baths and Storage Tanks
Description:
Storage tanks and chemical treating bathes are covered (extraction system) to collect emissions
of fumes and aggressive waste air. Com-CC-2]

· Prevention of fugitive releases of chemical fumes. Com-CC-2].
· Reduction in exhaust air volumes. Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants Com-CC-2].
Reference plants: Voest-Alpine line 1 and 2, Aceralia line 2 Com-CC-2]
Operational data:
Economics: IC= medium, and OC are low. Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.7.6 Using Squeeze Rolls
Description:
The remaining solution on the steel strip is removed from the strip by squeeze rolls before
leaving each treating section. This will assure that dragout of solution into next section is
minimized and loss of chemicals. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of raw materials consumption, [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants with passivation process. [Com-CC-2].

Reference plants: many plants. [Com-CC-2]
Operational data:
Economics: The initial investment in not so high and the operating cost is cheap. [Com-CC-2]

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.1.7.7 Using Reverse Osmosis to Produce Deionized Water
Description:
For preparation of chemical treating solutions and for rinsing water deionised water is required.
This was produced in former times by desalination through ion exchange filters. As these filters
need chemicals and water for regeneration as well as they produce regeneration brine,…

· Reduction of chemicals consumption and avoidance of higher emissions in the natural
waters.
Applicability:
· New and existing installations if is needed to change the deionised unit.
Reference plant: Voest- Alpine line 1 and 2

Cross media effects: No
Operational data:
Economics: Investments cost are high but operational costs are medium
Driving force for implementation: Environment and savings.
B.4.1.8 Finishing
B.4.1.8.1 Collection and Treatment of Skin Pass/Temper Solution
Description:
Used solution, containing zinc particles and anticorrosion compounds, is send to the water
treatment section. The water could be recycled for the same or other purposes. Spent emulsion
generated from tempering should be collected and send for water treatment. [EUROFER CC]

· Reduced water pollutant load (95 %) [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New and existing plants that use skin pass. [Com-CC-2].
Cross-media effects: - no
Reference plants: Galtec, Aceralia line 2, Voest-Alpine HDG 1 and 2 [Com-CC-2]
Operational data:
Economics: - High investment costs and medium operation costs. [Com-CC-2]

Environmental requirements, cost requirements, Yield increase and Quality requirements
[Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.9 Waste Water Treatment
Generally, the waste water treatment plants treat not only the water from coating plants but also
all the effluents generated in the rolling facilities. Normally, these plants consist of three
different circuits: chromic water line, oily water line and the general waste water line.

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.1.9.1 Chromic Water Line
Description:
The function of this circuit is to remove the chrome ions existing in the water, mainly, the
Cr(VI), due to its higher toxicity, and the Cr(III). In the treatment plant the Cr(VI) is reduced to
Cr(III) with sodium bisulphite or ferric chloride; the latter is preferable due to the much
smoother reaction conditions obtained regarding pH, as the bisulphite reaction requires a much
lower pH, thus entailing a higher acid consumption. [EUROFER CC]
The following reaction takes place: Cr6 + 3 Fe2+ ----------> Cr3 + 3 Fe3+
In the following stage the Cr3+ precipitates due to a pH increase obtained by addition of
hydrated lime. Cr3+ + 3 OH- ----------> 3 Cr(OH)3
The ferric hydroxide precipitates simultaneously with the chromic hydroxide. The slurry
obtained is treated in a decanter, inerted with milk of lime and subsequently passed through a
press filter. Treatment with a polymer to achieve flocculation is also possible. [EUROFER CC],
[Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of chromium emission with effluent.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.1.9.2 Oily Water Circuit
Description:
The aqueous effluents from those facilities where the strip is degreased prior to the coating
processes are transferred to a neutralisation tank; neutralisation is achieved through the addition
of hydrochloric acid. In case that acidic waste water from other processing steps (e.g. acidic
rinse water) that cannot be recirculated is available, this may be used for neutralisation.
[Weigel] After this step, the effluents enter a homogenisation tank and, subsequently, a
coagulation and flocculation section. [EUROFER CC]
Coagulation is achieved through the addition of ferric chloride and hydrochloric acid and
flocculation by means of a treatment with polymers such as aluminium polychlorid and other
types of polyelectrolyte. [EUROFER CC]
From the flocculation tank, the effluent goes to a flotation tank where three phases are
separated:
a) Flocculated oily slurries

b) Sediment slurries
c) Water, to recycle

Part B/Chapter 4
The flocculated oily slurries float as foam, by the injection of pressurised water through the
bottom of the aero-floater. The air absorbed by the water is released with depressurisation,
forming small bubbles that adhere to the flocculated oily slurries making them float as a foam,
subsequently removed by means of a suitable mechanism. [EUROFER CC]
Other Option/Treatment of Spent Degreasing Solution

The basic emulsion could also be treated in a central plant. First, there is a separation in three
phases by means of gravity. The upper phase is treated in an oil centre. The middle phase is
treated in an emulsion centre. The bottom phase consists of sludge and is treated separately. By
means of ultrafiltration, emulsions are separated in water and oil. The water part is treated in a
conventional biological plant to reduce COD. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of oil emission with effluent.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics: Investment cost is very high, operatives ones are high, but its environmental
performance are also very high. [Com-CC-2]
Driving force for implementation: environmental requirements. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.9.3 General Waste Water Circuit
Description:
The treatment process of the waste water consists in a flocculation with subsequent filtering and
cooling. In order to improve the removal of oil and solid particles, a small amount of
coagulating agent and polyelectrolyte is added to produce a microflocculation.
The water and the flocculi are sent to a battery of two-layer sand and anthracite filters that retain
the particles formed. The filtrated water is transferred to cooling towers and the slurries retained
in the filters are removed and passed through a press filter for subsequent recycling.
[EUROFER CC]

· Reduction of pollutants in effluent.
Applicability:
Reference plants:

Part B/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Substance Concentration in Type of sampling Measurements in 1998

mg/l 1) Operator/Comp. authority
Oil 0.2 Qualified random sample 28/5
Suspended 10 Qualified random sample 28/5
solids
Note: Source of data: Senator für Bau und Umwelt, Bremen. Plant: BREGAL, in Bremen.
1)
Table B.4-1: Pollutant concentrations in water discharge from treatment of waste water from
galvanization [Com2 D]
Economics:
B.4.1.10 Cooling Water Systems
B.4.1.10.1 Closed Cooling Water Loop
Description: see Chapters D.9.2

Separate and closed cooling water systems with recooling of the water by evaporative towers or
plate heat exchangers.

· Saving natural resources [Com-CC-2].
· Reduction of energy consumption. [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
· New Installations and existing installation in case of major modernisation [Com-CC-2].
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics: IC=high, OC=low [Com-CC-2]
Driving force for implementation: Site specific issues will govern the choice of cooling
system and applicability on existing plants. [Com-CC-2]
B.4.1.10.2 Reuse of Cooling Water
Description:
Design a water circuit to reintroduce the cooling waters to this process or for another purpose.
[Com-CC-2]

· Saving natural resources, [Com-CC-2].

Part B/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· New and existing plants. [Com-CC-2].

Reference plants: Many plants. [Com-CC-2]
Operational data:
The recycling ratio of the cooling water can surpass easily 90 %. [Com-CC-2]
Economics: IC=high, OC=medium [Com-CC-2]
B.4.2 Aluminizing and Lead-Tin (Terne) Coating
Techniques to be considered in the determination of BAT, are basically the same as for
Galvanizing, when the same processing steps are applied (e.g. pickling, passivation, etc.). Some
additional measures for Lead-Tin (Terne) Coating are listed below:
B.4.2.1 Nickel Plating
Description:
The electrolytic nickel plating facility is in enclosed and the exhaust air is ventilated to a wet
scrubber. [Com-CC-2]

· Reduction of emissions to air, especially of fugitive emissions.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.2.2 Hot Dipping
B.4.2.2.1 Air Knives for Thickness Control
Description:
To control coating thickness air knives are used which provide a wiping action to remove
surplus lead from the strips surface. [Com-CC-2]

· No emission of VOC and hydrocarbons to air (as with oil bath) [Com-CC-2].
· No generation of waste oil [Com-CC-2].
Applicability:
Reference plants: British Steel, Brierley Hill, UK

Part B/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Reduction of VOC from 150 mg/m3 to < 1 mg/m3 [UK 5/98]
No requirement for an incinerator to destroy emissions. [Com-CC-2]
Economics:

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.3 Wire Hot Dip Coating (Galvanizing)
B.4.3.1.1 Enclosing Pickling Baths / Treatment of Extracted Air
Description:
The acid-bath must be equipped with a hood or cover, kept under slight underpressure, or
comparable enclosing. The extracted air can be treated by scrubbing with water using packed or
plate scrubbers. [CET-BAT]

● Reduction of fugitive emissions from pickling (acid vapour and aerosols).
● Reduction of acid vapour and aerosols by scrubbing.
Applicability:
· New and existing plants, especially as heated and concentrated HCl is used.
· Also applicable at continuous annealing and patenting lines with HCl in-line cleaning.
Reference plants:
Most installations with continuous pickling that operate either at high HCl or increased
temperature, are equipped with a scrubber. [CET-BAT]
Operational data:
Typical emission limits (concentration) are: < 20 to < 30 mg HCl per Nm3. This can be reached
with a scrubber operated with water (no addition of NaOH needed). [CET-BAT]
Plate scrubbers achieve < 30 mg HCl/Nm3. They have a low water consumption and therefore
limited amount of waste water. In some applications (e.g. high acid consumption, high acid
temperature) complete reuse of scrubber waste water for dilution of fresh acid is possible.
[Com BG2]
Packed media scrubber achieve < 20 mg/Nm3 but with a higher water consumption as plate
scrubbers, resulting in a higher amount of waste water. [Com BG2]
Economics:
B.4.3.1.2 Cascade Pickling
Description:
Cascade pickling is performed in two or more baths in series. The acid flows (continuously or
discontinuously) in counter flow from one bath to the next. This allows to achieve a very
efficient use of the acid while still reaching good pickling quality. In this way, a higher
conversion of the acid to metal salts can be reached, leading to a lower acid consumption.
[CET-BAT]


Part B/Chapter 4
Applicability:
● For existing plants available space might be a limiting factor.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
For cascade pickling an extra pickling tank is necessary, it is not sufficient to split an existing
pickling tank into 2 sections. It requires a big enough building (extra building), with acid proof
floor surface, secondary containment and an extra pump system. Depending on the application
also additional cover, exhaust system and scrubber for the extra cascade are necessary.
[Com BG2]
Extra cost is highly dependent on the capacity of the line. Estimate: euro 0.2 - 0.5 million.
[Com BG2]

B.4.3.1.3 Evaporative Recovery of Hydrochloric Acid

· Reduction in fresh acid consumption, reduction in fresh acid production (resources, energy).
Applicability:
For HCl, evaporation of HCl is a technically available but rarely used because of the important
investment and energy costs.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
B.4.3.1.4 Recovery of Free Acid Fraction

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.3.1.5 (External) Regeneration of Spent Acid

Applicability:
● Regeneration plants require a minimum capacity, a minimum amount of spent acid to be
treated which is far beyond the spent acid generated at a single wire plant.
● Wire industry depends on outside contractors for the recycling of spent acid.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.3.1.6 Reuse of Spent Acid as Secondary Raw Material
Description:
The chemical industry uses spent acid as a secondary raw material for the production of FeCl3
and, to a minor extend, for pigments. The possibility to recycle spent acid for the production of
valuable chemicals is available in many regions in Europe. Some contractors impose or have to
impose strict limits for some metal impurities in the spent acids. A few contractors have
recently developed and patented special processes to remove e.g. Zn or Pb from some types of
spent acid. [CET-BAT]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.3.1.7 Optimized Rinsing Procedure and Cascade Rinsing
Description:
Counter-current cascade rinsing in combination with measures like to minimize dragout by
installing suited wiping device (air-knife, pad, drip-bar etc.), continuously monitor rinsing water
quality, use of recuperated water / reuse rinsing water in other application.

· Reduced water consumption, lower water treatment costs [Com BG2].
· Reduces carry-over of Fe-ions into the flux bath (increases life span of flux baths, reduces
carry-over of Fe into zinc bath).

Part B/Chapter 4
Applicability:
● For existing plants available space might be a limiting factor.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.3.2 Fluxing
B.4.3.2.1 Good Housekeeping and Bath Maintenance
Description:
An excessive Fe-concentration in the flux bath causes drag-in of Fe into the zinc bath. Each kg
of Fe entering the zinc bath causes the loss of 25 - 30 kg Zn by formation of dross. Therefore
iron content should be kept at a low level (e.g. by sufficient rinsing and wiping in the rinsing
step) and be controlled carefully. [CET-BAT]
A flux-bath should not have an over-flow; waste water from flux-baths should be limited to
once or a few times per year for reasons of maintenance and cleaning. This can be reached
easily by minimizing drag-in of rinsing water. In this way, overflow of ammonia to the waste
water treatment is avoided. (Note: ammonia is not removed by the typical physicochemical
waste water treatment at a wire plant.) [CET-BAT]
The flux consumption can be optimized by correct wire preparation, by frequent control of flux-
salt concentration in the flux bath, etc. As it is much easier to put continuously just the right
amount of flux on a wire than on a complex piece, flux concentration and consumption are
much lower in wire galvanizing than it is in batch galvanizing. As a result, excessive formation
of dust and flux fumes can be avoided on a well maintained wire galvanising line and it is
possible to achieve low dust and metal emissions without the use of a filter. [CET-BAT]

· Increased lifespan of flux bath.
· Reduced waste (dross) and emissions in the following galvanizing step.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.3.2.2 Regeneration of Flux Baths (on-site)
Description:
Through dragin of rinsing water into the flux bath and through corrosion of the wire, Fe(II) is
brought into the flux bath. Fe(II) is converted to Fe(III) through oxidation by oxygen absorbed
from the ambient air. Fe(III) precipitates as Fe(OH)3. After several weeks or months, the line is
stopped and Fe(OH)3 is allowed to settle. The resulting sludge is disposed off ; the liquid phase
is returned to the flux bath.
If oxidation by ambient air is insufficient, then either the dragin of Fe(II) can be reduced (see
B.4.3.1.7) or other oxidation methods can be used (H2O2 see D.7.1.1 or electrolytic oxidation
see D.7.1.2).
If build-up of Fe(OH)3 is too fast to be handled by occasionally stopping of the line, the sludge
can be separated continuously in a settler.

· Reduced amount of spent flux bath.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data and Economics:
The goal is bringing the amount of spent flux to a very low level or possibly eliminating any
production of spent flux. Many wire plants achieve this by prevention (minimizing dragin of
Fe(II)) rather than by investing in regeneration technology. A comparison between flux baths in
a typical batch galvanizing plant and in a wire galvanizing plant learns that dragin of Fe(II) per
m2 surface to be galvanized in a wire plant is roughly 2 - 5 % of the value in a batch galvanizing
plant. In cases where the amount of spent flux can be kept very low by minimizing dragin,
investment in a regeneration unit may not be justified.

B.4.3.2.3 Re-utilization of Spent Flux Baths (off-site)
Description:
Spent flux baths are sent off-site, usually to flux agent producers, for re-cycling. The salts in the
spent flux solution can be re-used for flux agent production.

Applicability:
Reference plants: Th. Goldschmidt, Germany
Operational data:
Economics:

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.3.2.4 Enclose Flux Bath
A flux solution (a heated watery solution of a mixture of ZnCl2, NH4Cl and possibly other salts)
emits only water vapour.
The flux bath could be covered with a hood or bath cover - This can have an advantage in terms
of minimization of heat losses, when the flux bath is heated. [CET-BAT]
Enclosed flux bayhs were not considered BAT because the vapour escaping from the baths is
not really dangerous and the advantage for the environment is too small compared to the costs.
[Com2 B]
B.4.3.3.1 Zinc Bath: Good Housekeeping
Description:
The most important house-keeping methods are:
· Maintain a protective layer (particulate material) or a cover on the zinc bath. This
minimizes loss of zinc by oxidation, minimizes the formation of flux fumes and drastically
reduces energy losses of the zinc bath.
· Any moisture dragged into the zinc bath evaporates explosively. This cause of zinc dust
can be eliminated by having a dry wire at the inlet of the zinc bath. [CET-BAT].

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
By good house-keeping methods, it is perfectly possible to run a hot dip galvanising bath at
very low emissions of Zn and dust (below 5 mg/Nm3 Zn, below 10 mg/Nm3 dust). [CET-BAT]
Economics:
B.4.3.3.2 Emission Capture and Treatment of Extracted Air
Description:
When for one reason or another, good house-keeping would is not sufficient to reach low Zn
and dust emissions, a hood or cover above the Zn-bath, extraction of air and installation of a
filter can be installed. [CET-BAT]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part B/Chapter 4
B.4.3.3.3 Smoke-reduced Flux Agent
Description:
In smoke-reduced flux agents ammonia chloride is partly substituted by other alkali chlorides
(e.g. potassium chloride).

· Reduced hard zinc.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.3.3.4 Storage of Zinc-containing Residues
Description:
Zn-residues originate from the Zn-bath (top-dross, bottom dross, waste bath cover). These
residues should be stored separately and protected from rain and wind. The wire industry
depends on subcontractors for the final disposal and recycling of these residues. Normally Zn-
containing waste is recycled by the non-ferro industry (Zn-smelters). [CET-BAT]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
B.4.3.3.5 Cooling Water after Zn-bath
Description:
The cooling water can be operated in closed circuit, using a wet cooling tower, air cooler or
similar device. As the quality of this water is quite high, one could consider to give a second
function to any stream leaving this circuit.
Any waste water of this cooling water circuit should be treated in such a way that contamination
(mainly dissolved Zn) is removed in a satisfactory way prior to discharge. [CET-BAT]

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part B/Chapter 5
B.5 BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES FOR CONTINUOUS

COATING LINES
· Identification of the key environmental issues of continuous coating lines. Among the
important issues are: acidic air emissions, wastes and waste water; air emissions from
furnaces; energy consumption of furnaces; Zn-containing residues and oil- and chrome-
containing waste waters.
techniques.
presented here.

Part B/Chapter 5

each case.
from continuous coating lines. Where possible, the structure follows the logic of the production
line and identifies BAT for individual processing stages. However, some measures, especially
emission levels, efficiencies or recirculation rates are given as an indication of the improvement
that can be expected by implementation of the techniques. For a number of techniques the
and dry gas.
B.5.1 Galvanizing of Sheet
For the best available techniques in pickling, refer to the BAT chapter of Part A/Cold Rolling
Mills.
For degreasing operations in continuous galvanising plants, the following techniques are
· Cascade degreasing.
· Cleaning and recirculation of degreasing solution; appropriate measures for cleaning are
mechanical methods and membrane filtration as described in Chapter A.4.
· Treatment of spent degreasing solution by electrolytic emulsion splitting or ultrafiltration to
reduce the oil content; separated oil fraction should be reutilized, e.g. thermally; the
separated water fraction requires treatment (neutralisation etc.).
· Covered tanks with extraction and cleaning of extracted air by scrubber or demister.
· Use of squeeze rolls to minimize drag-out.

Part B/Chapter 5
The best available techniques for the reduction of emissions and energy consumption of heat
treatment furnaces are considered to be:
· Low-NOx burners with associated emission levels of 250 - 400 mg/Nm³ for NOx (3 % O2)
without air preheating and 100 - 200 mg/Nm³ for CO.
· Combustion air preheating by regenerative or recuperative burners.
No data were submitted on NOx concentrations in connection with air preheating, but the
figures given for reheating furnaces may serve as an indication. Limiting the preheating
temperature may be seen as a NOx reduction measure. However, the advantages of reduced
energy consumption and reductions in SO2, CO2 and CO have to be weighed against the
disadvantage of possible increased emissions of NOx.
or
· Preheating of strip.
· Steam production to recover heat from waste gas.
The hot dipping zinc bath is a source of zinc-containing residues, dross or hard zinc. BAT for
these residues is separate collection and external recycling in the non-ferrous metals industry.
In installations where galvannealing is done, BAT to reduce emissions and energy

consumption are:
· Low-NOx burners with associated emission levels of 250 - 400 mg/Nm³ for NOx (3 % O2)
without air preheating.
· Regenerative or recuperative burner systems.
· No data were submitted on NOx concentrations in connection with air preheating, but the
figures given for reheating furnaces may serve as an indication. Limiting the preheating
temperature may be seen as a NOx reduction measure. However, the advantages of reduced
energy consumption and reductions in SO2, CO2 and CO have to be weighed against the
disadvantage of possible increased emissions of NOx.
Post-treatments of steel, such as oiling, phosphating and chromating, are done for protection. In
oiling, oil fumes are generated, which are best reduced by:
· Covering the strip oiling machine.

or
The environmental impact from phosphating and passivation/chromating can be reduced by

the following BAT:
· Covered process baths.

· Cleaning and reuse of phosphating solution.
· Cleaning and reuse of passivation solution.
· Use of squeeze rolls.
· Collection of skinpass/temper solution and treatment in waste water treatment plant.
For cooling (machines etc.), separate cooling water systems operating in closed loops are
considered BAT.
Waste water arises in sheet galvanising from the chemical treatment sections and from rinsing
operations. Waste water also arises from strip cooling, contaminated by abrasion dust, and from

Part B/Chapter 5
the water sprays which are used to keep working rolls in the skin pass mill clean and which is
contaminated by Zn-containing abrasion dust and lubricating oil. These waste water streams
require treatment by a combination of sedimentation, filtration and/or
flotation/precipitation/flocculation. The techniques described in Chapter 4 or equally efficient
combinations of individual treatment measures (also described in part D) are considered BAT.
The associated pollutant concentrations in the effluent are:
SS: < 20 mg/l

Fe: < 10 mg/l
Zn: <2 mg/l
Ni: < 0.2 mg/l
Crtot: < 0.2 mg/l
Pb: < 0.5 mg/l
Sn: <2 mg/l
With some of the existing continuous water treatment plants, a zinc level of < 4 mg/l is all that
can be achieved. In these cases the best option is to switch to batch treatment.
Most BAT are the same as for hot dip galvanising. However, there is no need for a waste water
treatment plant as only cooling water is discharged.
BAT for heating:

Gas firing. Combustion control system
Best available techniques for lead-tin coating are:
· Pickling tanks are to be enclosed and vented to a wet scrubber packed tower, with pH
control. Achieved HCl emission levels are well below 30 mg/Nm³. Waste water from the
tower and tank must then pass through a waste water treatment plant.
· Enclosed nickel plating process, ventilated to a wet scrubber.
· For hot dipping, air knives to control coating thickness are considered to be BAT; they
result in no emissions
· For passivation, BAT is a no rinse system and hence no rinse waters from the system
require treatment. If a drier is required, this should be a gas-fired oven. No effluent
produced.
· Oiling by an electrostatic oiling machine.
· To treat process effluents e.g. acids from pickling or waste waters from scrubber, a waste
water treatment plant is required.. BAT for this type of process is sodium hydroxide
solution, added in a two stage neutralising process with automatic pH control of the dosing
rate. A flocculent is then added to assist settlement of the precipitated solids in a settlement
tank. Clean liquor then flows from the tank to sewer, river etc. The filter cake is then passed
through a filter press and disposed to landfill. Establishing a route for recycling would be a
BAT but, to date, no route has been found for this material.

Part B/Chapter 5
B.5.4 Coating of Wire
For the reduction of air emissions from in-line pickling, enclosed equipment or equipment
fitted with hoods and scrubbing of extracted air is considered BAT. The BAT-associated
emission level is 2 - 30 mg/Nm³.
For the reduction of acid consumption in pickling lines, the following techniques are considered
to be BAT:
· Cascade pickling for new installations above a certain capacity. For small lines, the extra
investment in a second tank, piping and process control equipment is not justified. A
threshold-capacity of 15 000 tonnes/year per line is proposed.
Conversion of existing one-bath lines to cascade pickling is expensive. The cost is probably
too high, when compared to the advantages.
· Recovery of free-acid fraction.

· External regeneration of spent acid for all installations.
· Reuse of spent acid as secondary raw material.
To reduce water consumption the following techniques are considered BAT:

· Cascaded rinsing, in combination with other methods to minimize water consumption, for all
new and for all large installations (> 15 000 tonnes/y).
For smaller lines, most new installations include cascade rinsing, possibly in combination
with other methods to minimize rinsing water consumption. At smaller existing lines, the
choices are often limited, e.g. adding extra rinsing cascades could be impossible because of
space constraints.
For the remaining waste water, waste water treatment is required. The BAT for waste water
treatment of a wire plant consisting of a hot dip coating line and associated processes, is
physico-chemical treatment (neutralisation, flocculation, etc.). Associated pollutant
concentrations in the effluent are:
SS: < 20 mg/l

Fe: < 10 mg/l
Zn: < 2 mg/l
Ni: < 0.2 mg/l
Crtot:< 0.2 mg/l
Pb: < 0.5 mg/l
Sn: < 2 mg/l [Com BG3]
To reduce waste and waste flux solution, the following techniques are considered BAT for
fluxing operations:
· Good housekeeping with special focus on reducing iron carry-over and bath maintenance.
· Regeneration of flux baths on site (side-stream iron removal).
· External reutilization of spent flux solution.
Basically, good housekeeping measures as described in Chapter B.4 are also considered BAT
for hot dipping. Emission levels that are associated with these BAT are dust < 10 mg/Nm³ and
Zn < 5 mg/Nm³. Additionally, collection of all Zn-containing wastes, separate storage and

Part B/Chapter 5
protection form rain and wind, and reuse in the non-ferrous metals industry are considered
BAT.
If cooling water is needed after the zinc bath, closed loop or reuse of this quite pure water as
make-up water for other applications is considered to be BAT.

Part B/Chapter 6
B.6 EMERGING TECHNIQUES FOR CONTINUOUS COATING

LINES
B.6.1 Coating of Sheet
B.6.1.1 Roll Coaters
These are rolls for applying organic coatings or paintings that are nowadays replacing to the
chromating surface treatment. If compatible with the high speed in galvanising, this application
improves notably the environmental performance in the finish stage, because there are not effluents
with chromic products. [Com-CC-2]
B.6.1.2 Vacuum Vapour Deposition
This coating method is a physical process to deposit evaporated metal on base metal in a
vacuum (< 50 Pa). Metallic vapour is produced, mainly, by one of two processes: resistant
heating and electron-beam bombardment.
A production line with zinc vapour deposition was developed by Nisshing Steel Company and
Mitsubishi Heavey Industry Company in Japan, and commercial products have been produced
since 1987. This production line works with a resistence heating system.
The production process is as follows: pre-treatment furnace, seal roll, coating chamber and
evaporation bath. In the production line, the reducing furnace system of the galvanising line is
adopted as a pretreatment process. [Com-CC-2]
Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD)

Strictly speaking the above process belong to this one. But nowadays several different processes
coming from PVD are being investigated.
The PVD process can be used for the deposition of pure ceramic coatings (as well as metals and
alloys). At least one of the constituents is physically evaporated from solid within the vacuum
chamber. In the most advanced processes the sample to be coated is made the cathode in a glow
discharge of the evaporated metal and gas atomic species. Thus, for example, titanium can be
evaporated in nitrogen to produce titanium nitride. The benefit of the ionisation which results in
the glow discharge is that the positively charged depositing species are accelerated to the
sample surface and arrive with high energy, producing a dense, well adhered deposit. Also,
since the energy is imparted at the surface, where it is needed, the process can be carried out at
comparatively low bulk substrate temperatures (<500 ºC). Thus, materials such as hardened
high speed steel and hot working tool steels can be coated with pure ceramic films without
being softened. There are various ways of producing the metal evaporant, such as electron beam
guns, 'sputter' sources, and arc sources. The PVD process is highly flexible, permitting the
deposition of virtually any material onto any other.
This method has become a lot of another evolution depending on the process to produce the
vapour, but almost of them are only in experimentation field. [Com-CC-2]
B.6.1.3 Passivation with Cr-free Products
Cr-free passivation products are been studied in order to change the composition of those. The
results of these studies have opened the possibility to a future change in the composition of

Part B/Chapter 6
passiving solutions. The behaviour of alternatives has been good as primer (previous to an
organic coating), but not so good as definitive protection. [Com-CC-2]
B.6.1.4 Air-knives with Variable Profile
This technique consists on a device with several metallic lamellas with an independent heating
system. These can change the gap of the air-knives by means of a differential temperature in
each part of the air-knives thus the coating profile is better controlled. This technique would
produce a reduction of the consumption of the coating material, and improving of the quality in
the thickness of the metallic layer and, then, and increase of the yield. [Com-CC-2]
B.6.1.5 Application of the Fuzzy-logic for the Controlling of the Air-

knives
With an Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) software, the thickness gage would feedback the gap
of the air-knives to optimize the coating. The system is designed as knowledge based system to
learn from its previous experience. This technique would produce a reduction of the
consumption of the coating material, and improving of the quality in the thickness of the
metallic layer and, then, and increase of the yield. This is equivalent to a better energy
efficiency. [Com-CC-2]
B.6.1.6 Removing the Pot-roll (Catenary)
When the strip leaves the snout, if it would be possible a strict control of the catenary traced by
the strip, the pot-roll could be avoided.
Removing the top-roll (air-cushion)
After the bath, the strip go up to the cooling zone. In the first stage is advisable to avoid the
contact of the strip anywhere whit other devices, because the coating temperature is still too
high and could be marked the surface easily. This system consists on an air cushion on the top
at the beginning of the cooling zone for this purpose. Thus, there are an increase of the quality
and yield of the line. [Com-CC-2]
B.6.1.7 Core-less Pot
This pot is an induction system itself.
B.6.1.8 Cooling by Micro Water Sprayed at the Cooling Tower
With this device we can reduce the size of the cooling tower. This implies a reduction of the
mechanical parts, rolls, etc. In the same way, there are a reduction of the probabilities of marks,
oil-leaks, etc.

Part B/Chapter 6
B.6.2 Coating of Wire
B.6.2.1.1 Ultrasound Cleaning
For removing smut from over-etched high carbon steel wire, smut = fine particle carbon
compounds layer on surface, leading to rejection of the wire --- waste
B.6.2.1.2 Combined Electrolytic and Ultrasound Cleaning for Scale

Removal
Emerging:
as alternative to acid pickling
using neutral aqueous solutions of sodium sulphate, sodium chloride and sodium
tripolyphosphate, with Anodic or cathodic D.C. electrolysis or P.R. (periodic current reversal)

Part B/Chapter 7
B.7 CONCLUDING REMARKS
Timing of work

· Final draft


Part B/Chapter 7
Level of consensus
measures as BAT.


should be provided . Some of the techniques concerned are the following:
Part A:

Part B/Chapter 7
Part C:
Part D:
in the BREF. Especially, those parties advocatingthe lower level of 5 mg/Nm³ should seek to
be made.

PART C
Batch Galvanizing
C.1. General Information on Batch Galvanizing.............................................................................333
C.2. Applied Processes and Techniques in Batch Galvanizing .......................................................335
C.2.1 Batch Hot Dip Coating Overview ......................................................................................335
C.2.2 Raw Material Handling......................................................................................................337
C.2.3 Preparation of the Input .....................................................................................................337
C.2.4 Degreasing .........................................................................................................................337
C.2.5 Pickling ..............................................................................................................................338
C.2.6 Stripping.............................................................................................................................338
C.2.7 Rinsing ...............................................................................................................................338
C.2.8 Fluxing ...............................................................................................................................339
C.2.9 Hot Dipping .......................................................................................................................340
C.2.10 Finishing ............................................................................................................................341
C.3. Present Emission and Consumption Levels in Batch Galvanizing ..........................................343
C.3.1 Degreasing .........................................................................................................................344
C.3.2 Pickling ..............................................................................................................................345
C.3.3 Stripping.............................................................................................................................346
C.3.4 Fluxing ...............................................................................................................................347
C.3.5 Rinsing I + II......................................................................................................................348
C.3.6 Hot Dipping .......................................................................................................................348
C.3.7 Finishing ............................................................................................................................350
C.4. Techniques to Consider in the Determination of BAT for Batch Galvanizing........................351
C.4.1 Storage and Handling of Raw Materials and Auxiliaries...................................................351
C.4.2 Degreasing .........................................................................................................................351
C.4.3 Pickling and Stripping........................................................................................................356
C.4.4 Rinsing ...............................................................................................................................368
C.4.5 Fluxing ...............................................................................................................................371
C.4.6 Hot Dipping .......................................................................................................................377
C.5. Best Available Techniques for Batch Galvanizing..................................................................387
C.6. Emerging Techniques for Batch Galvanizing..........................................................................391
C.7. Concluding remarks.................................................................................................................393

List of figures
Figure C.2-1: Typical process flow for a general galvanizing plant ........................................................ 335
Figure C.2-2: Principle of tube galvanizing ............................................................................................. 336
Figure C.3-1: Material flow sheet for general galvanizing plants............................................................ 343
Figure C.4-1: Flow sheet for biological degreasing (example CAMEX)................................................. 354
Figure C.4-2: Flowsheet for activated pickling........................................................................................ 358
Figure C.4-3: Example flowsheet for evaporative HCl recovery in a galvanising plant.......................... 360
Figure C.4-4: Mass balance for evaporation recovery (example) ............................................................ 360
Figure C.4-5: Schematic of the solvent extraction process ...................................................................... 363
Figure C.4-6: Flow chart for removal of zinc from pickling baths .......................................................... 366
Figure C.4-7: Cascade rinsing installed in galvanizing plant................................................................... 370
Figure C.4-8: Stationary enclosure .......................................................................................................... 377
Figure C.4-9: Moveable enclosure with vertical moving side walls ........................................................ 378
Figure C.4-10: Bilateral peripheral exhaust with auxiliaries ................................................................... 380

List of tables
Table C.1-1: Distribution of galvanizing plants in the EU .......................................................................333

Table C.1-2: Market segmentation for Galvanized Steel..........................................................................333
Table C.3-1: Consumption and emissions from degreasing activities......................................................345
Table C.3-2: Composition ranges of spent pickle baths ...........................................................................346
Table C.3-3: Consumption and emissions from pickling .........................................................................346
Table C.3-4: Composition range of spent stripping baths ........................................................................347
Table C.3-5: Consumption and emissions from stripping ........................................................................347
Table C.3-6: Consumption and emissions from fluxing...........................................................................348
Table C.3-7: Consumption and emissions from the zinc kettle ................................................................350
Table C.4-1: Typical specific consumption/production and cost/saving for a flux regeneration .............374
Table C.4-2: Summary of savings and costs ............................................................................................375
Table C.4-3: Concentrations in emissions from galvanizing kettles ........................................................379
Table C.4-4: Concentrations in emissions from galvanizing kettles ........................................................379
Table C.4-5: Examples for emissions from a galvanizing kettle ..............................................................380
Table C.4-6: Emission comparison of normal and smoke-reduced flux agents .......................................381

Part C/Chapter 1
C.1. GENERAL INFORMATION ON BATCH GALVANIZING
General galvanizing is a service industry, offering the application of zinc coating corrosion
protection to steel fabricators or the users of fabricated steel products. The sector operates with
short lead times and short order books to give enhanced service to customers. Distribution
issues are important, and so plants are located close to market concentrations. Consequently, the
industry consists of a relatively large number of plants, servicing regional markets in order to
minimize distribution costs and increase economic efficiency. Only a few ‘niche’ operators are
prepared to transport certain classes of fabrication for longer distances in order to exploit their
special expertise or plant capability. Opportunities for these specialist operators are limited.
About 600 galvanizing plants with more than 30000 employees are distributed throughout the
EU, as shown in Table C.1-1.
Member State Number of plants Steel Galvanized

in 1997 [t/a]
Austria 17 132916
Belgium 22 263268
Denmark 17 122500
Finland 19 73360
France 69 690105
Germany 185 1428610
Greece 4 n.a
Italy 74 810716
Luxembourg 1 n.a.
Netherlands 21 242717
Portugal 9 42368
Spain 35 314509
Sweden 34 120000
United Kingdom (+ Ireland) 88 738928
Total: 595 4979997
Note: Source of data [EGGA5/98], [EGGA/99]
Table C.1-1: Distribution of galvanizing plants in the EU
The zinc consumption of the EU galvanizing industry (excluding Greece and Luxembourg) in
1997 was 381188 t. The main galvanizing countries are Germany with of 27.5 % of the
production, Italy with 15.6 %, UK/Ireland with 14.2 % and France with 13.3 %. [EGGA/99]
In recent years the markets for galvanized steel have grown more rapidly than previously. The
share of total market accounted for by various market sectors is shown in Table C.1-2.
Market Tonnage [t] Percentage [%]

Construction 2022886 39.0
Infrastructure and highways 832634 16.1
Power transmission 531042 10.2
Agriculture 524586 10.1
Transport 308786 6.0
Fasteners 254056 4.9
Other 712264 13.7
Total 5186254 100.0
Note: Source of data [EGGA/99];
Table C.1-2: Market segmentation for Galvanized Steel

Part C/Chapter 1
Industry turnover is estimated at EUR 1800 million per year. The capacities of the most
economic operating units are related to the size of the steel fabrications to be treated and to the
demand in the accessible market. Most companies in the sector are small or medium sized
enterprises financed by private capital. Integration into the zinc production or steel fabrication
industry is very unlikely. About half of the European capacity is in the hands of businesses that
own one or two plants. Larger companies, owing up to 20 plants, have emerged in some
Member States. Even so, the assets of these groups are widely distributed in order to service
regional markets and the opportunity for concentration of productive capacity is limited.
[EGGA5/98]
In recent years the cost of entry has risen, reflecting greater capital intensity arising from use of
improved technology and increased environmental control. This has discouraged the entry of
poor quality, short life operators. On the other hand, the sector is highly competitive as to price
and quality of service. [EGGA5/98]
In general, the sector enjoys reasonable economic success but it is occasionally subject to price
pressures because of over-capacities in some markets and variations in the price of zinc.
A significant part of recent investment has been spent on emission control measures. The hot
dip galvanizing process gives rise to zinc-containing waste/by-products such as zinc skimmings
and dross. These are recycled as raw material to the secondary zinc industry for the recovery of
the valuable zinc. Aqueous process streams which contain zinc are either treated on-site for the
extraction of metals before the aqueous stream is discarded, or aqueous blow down is removed
from site by specialist contractors for further recovery treatment. [EGGA5/98]

Part C/Chapter 2
C.2. APPLIED PROCESSES AND TECHNIQUES IN BATCH

GALVANIZING
C.2.1 Batch Hot Dip Coating Overview
Hot dip galvanizing is a corrosion protection process in which iron and steel fabrications are
protected from corrosion by coating them with zinc. Prevalent in batch hot dip galvanizing is
job galvanizing - also referred to as general galvanizing - in which a great variety of input
materials is treated for different customers. Size, amount and nature of the inputs can differ
significantly. The galvanizing of pipes or tubes, which is carried out in semi- or fully-automatic
special galvanizing plants, is usually not covered by the term job galvanizing.
The items to be coated in batch galvanizing plants are steel fabrications, such as nails, screws
and other very small items; lattice grates, construction parts, structural components, light poles
and many more. Tubes are sometimes also galvanized in conventional batch coating plants.
Galvanized steel is used in construction, transport, agriculture, power transmission and
everywhere that good corrosion protection and long life are essential. [EGGA5/98]
Figure C.2-1 shows the sequence of operations in a batch galvanizing, which usually comprises
the following process steps:
· Degreasing.
· Pickling.
· Fluxing.
· Galvanizing (melt metal coating).
· Finishing.
A galvanizing plant essentially consists of a series of treatment or process baths. The steel is
moved between tanks and dipped into the baths by overhead cranes.
Figure C.2-1: Typical process flow for a general galvanizing plant

[Galva94-1]

Part C/Chapter 2
There are two basic plant layouts, distinguished by the design of the pre-treatment section:
open- and closed pre-treatment.
Galvanizing plants with open pre-treatment locate pre-treatment vats and the other process
operations in one bay. In these cases pickling baths are operated at room temperature to avoid
air emissions (acid fume) and the associated corrosion of installations.
Galvanizing plants with dedicated, tightly enclosed pre-treatment sections are designed to
operate pickling baths at elevated temperatures and thus reduce the number of pickling vats and
the pickling time. Fume generated from the acid vats is collected and, in some cases, cleaned by
suitable abatement devices.
For some special applications the galvanizing bath can be operated at elevated temperature
using ceramic lined kettles instead of steel kettles; this process variation is referred to as 'high
temperature galvanizing'.
Installations for tube galvanizing represent a special type of galvanizing plant, in which tubes
are quasi-continuously coated. The handling of tubes in these plants is partly or fully automated.
Figure C.2-2 shows the dipping principle of such plants.
Figure C.2-2: Principle of tube galvanizing

[Welzel]
The principal pre-treatment steps are the same as for general gavanizing, but following the
coating the excess zinc is removed from the outside of the tubes by blowing with compressed
air. The excess zinc on the inside is removed by watersteam pressure pulse.
Although the basic technological principles have remained unchanged over the past 150 years,
some developments have taken place mainly to improve the coating quality of reactive steels or
small parts. Research has been done on adding V and Ti to the molten zinc bath and on
developing a zinc-tin coating. Technigalva, with the addition of approximately 0.03 to 0.08 %
Ni to the zinc bath, has been applied for some time now at full industrial scale. Zinkopal, in
which a zinc-aluminium coating for small parts is used, was developed in Germany, where one
plant is in operation. [Galva-97-1], [Com EGGA]

Part C/Chapter 2
C.2.2 Raw Material Handling
Zinc is received in bulk form and stored close to the galvanizing process. Chemicals, principally
28 % HCl, an input to the pickling process, are received in plastic or glass containers or by road
tanker, and are stored according to manufacturers' directions. Other agents, such as mist
suppressants and degreasing fluids, are similarly received in drums and stored according to
manufacturers' directions. Materials for processing, consisting of a wide variety of steel
fabrications, are received on site, usually by road haulage, and are unloaded by forklift truck or
crane. [EGGA5/98]
C.2.3 Preparation of the Input
Steel fabrications are inspected to ensure they are suitable for galvanizing. Iron and steel
castings and some threaded components are abrasive blast cleaned before pickling. To handle
fabrications throughout the galvanizing process they are attached to jigs or strongbacks by
means of hooks or steel wire. Fasteners and other small components are loaded into perforated
baskets, which are attached to the jigs. [EGGA5/98]
C.2.4 Degreasing
To guarantee satisfactory galvanizing and to enhance the performance of filtering separators, a

degreasing step is used to remove traces of coolants and lubricants from the fabricated steel.
This is commonly done using alkaline degreasing baths. These baths contain surfactants,
which remove oil and grease from the metal surface by emulsifying. The resulting unstable
emulsions float on the surface of the bath and can be removed by gravitational separators,
skimmers, micro- or ultrafiltration etc.
Concentration, bath temperature and immersion time of the work-pieces determine the
efficiency of the degreasing baths. The normal temperature range for indirectly heated
degreasing baths is 30 - 70 oC, although in some cases hot degreasing is applied at a temperature
of about 85 o C. The baths consists of a sodium-hydroxide solution (1 - 10 %) plus other
alkaline reagents, such as soda, sodium silicate, condensed alkaline phosphates and borax, and
specific surfactants, emulsifying agents and dispersion agents.
An alternative method is acidic degreasing. Degreasing baths consist of diluted, strong

inorganic acids, like hydrochloric acid and/or phosphoric acid with additives. Acidic degreasing
agents usually form stable oil emulsions which obstruct bath maintenance measures such as
skimming, separating, centrifuging or ultrafiltration. [ABAG]
When degreasing is skipped or when insufficiently degreased work-pieces enter the process
flow, there is a risk of organic pollutants being carried over to subsequent process steps,
possibly leading to organic pollution in the flux fume arising from the galvanizing kettle during
dipping. Organic pollutants in the waste gas lead to operational problems with filtering
precipitators (clogging etc.) and make the recycling of precipitated dusts difficult or even
impossible. [EGGA5/98], [ABAG]
Degreasing may only be omitted if the input material is oil-free, which is the exception rather
than the rule in batch galvanizing.
After degreasing, rinsing is necessary to prevent carry-over of degreasing agents which would
shorten the life of pickling baths and reduce the re-usability of the bath.

Part C/Chapter 2
C.2.5 Pickling
To remove casting skin, roll skin, grid or scale the items are pickled in diluted hydrochloric
acid. Therefore a galvanizing plant usually comprises a series of pickling baths with different
acid concentrations ranging from 2 - 16 %, normally 12 – 16 % when freshly prepared. To
prevent excessive pickling of steel items, especially in pickling high tensile steels, and to
protect the steel pickling vats, pickling inhibitors (e.g. hexamethylenetetramine) are added to
the bath. [EGGA5/98], [ABAG], [Com EGGA]
During operation the iron content of the pickling bath increases, while the amount of free acid
decreases, making it necessary to top up the bath occasionally by adding fresh acid. Iron-(II)-
chloride has a limited solubility in HCl. When this maximum is reached, pickling becomes
impossible, but usually the pickling bath has to be replaced even sooner at lower FeCl2
concentrations. Discarding concentrations of 170 g FeCl2/l (=75 g Fe2+/l) and 100 to 120 g Fe/l
have been reported. [EGGA5/98], [ABAG], [Com EGGA], [Com DK]
Raising the temperature of the pickling bath can enable its use at relatively high concentrations
of FeCl2, e.g. 175 to 200 g/l with the bath at 35o C, with some increase in emissions. [Com2
EGGA]
Operators sometimes degrease articles with less heavy deposits of oil in the pickle tank. This
practice may lead to an increased pickling time, greater volumes in discarded pickling bath per
tonne of product and increased consumption of zinc. This practice cannot be considered as
environmentally friendly.
Pickling in plants with open pre-treatment is usually done at ambient air temperature; plants
with an enclosed pre-treatment sometimes operate with higher acid temperatures. Gaseous
emissions of the pickling agent can arise from the pickling baths, depending on concentration
and temperature of the bath, and from the pickled items. Hydrogen vesicles formed during the
pickling process can also contain acid droplets. [EGGA5/98], [VDI-RL 2579]
C.2.6 Stripping
Sometimes it is necessary to clean the suspension devices of zinc coatings, to remove faulty
coatings from steel fabrications or to de-zinc fabrications whose coatings have to be renewed.
This is commonly done by dipping in diluted pickle acid.
When pickling and stripping are carried out in the same treatment vat, pickle liquors are created
which contain iron- and zinc chloride. Some galvanizers operate separate pickling and stripping
baths because in their technical and economic environment, this favours recycling of the zinc
contained in them. Spent stripping liquor can be either treated on site for zinc recovery or sent
off-site to a contractor for zinc recovery.
In some cases spent stripping liquor is send for neutralisation and disposal by external
contractors. [Com2 Wedge]
C.2.7 Rinsing
Rinsing is a very important step in the galvanizing process as it prolongs the life of subsequent
treatment baths, reduces the generation of waste and increases the re-usability of by-products.
After degreasing and pickling the fabricated steel is therefore rinsed/dipped in water baths,
which are sometimes heated.

Part C/Chapter 2
Carry-over of solution between baths depends on the type of work (i.e. its capacity for fluid
retention) and the way in which it is handled, especially the drainage time permitted above a
bath before the work is moved. The quantity of liquid carried-over can vary between 5 and 20 l/t
black steel. Carry-over of degreasing solution into the pickling baths eventually leads to
neutralisation of the bath; carry-over of acids and iron salts from pickling into the flux baths and
further to the galvanizing pot would increase both the generation of hard zinc (dross) and the
consumption of zinc. A carry-over of 1 g of iron results in about 25 g of hard zinc. [Com
EGGA], [ABAG], [Com2 EGGA]
Water from rinsing can be used to prepare fresh pickling or degreasing baths as a way of
recycling water and minimising aqueous blowdown.
C.2.8 Fluxing
The purpose of fluxing is to enable liquid zinc to wet the surface of the steel, a necessary
prerequisite for the galvanizing reaction, and with ammonium chloride-containing fluxes, to
provide additional pickling (cleaning of the surface) during hot dipping. At temperatures of
above 200 oC the ammonium chloride in the flux decomposes into NH3 and HCl, which results
in an additional pickling effect. [EGGA5/98], [ABAG]
Fluxing is carried out in two different ways: dry and wet.
In dry fluxing, the steel is immersed in a fluxing bath, usually an aqueous solution of zinc
chloride and ammonium chloride, typically maintained at 40 - 80 oC. Cold fluxing is possible
but reduces the potential for air-drying of the work after removal from the flux bath. Typical
bath characteristics are: ZnCl2 150 - 300 g/l
NH4Cl 150 - 300 g/l
Density: 1.15 – 1.30 g/ml
Dissolved iron: < 2 g/l
The pH-value of flux baths is normally adjusted to approximately 4.5 to secure precipitation of
iron ions as iron(III)-hydroxide; but the pH of flux baths may be in the range of 1 to 5.0.
The total concentration of flux salt (sum of zinc chloride and ammonium chloride) and the ratio
of the zinc chloride to ammonium chloride are both very important. Ammonium chloride in a
typical good flux often accounts for 40 – 60 % of the total flux salt. [Com DK]
Ammonium chloride provides quick drying and better removal of iron oxides from the surfaces
of the items, but also causes more fume, ash and dross formation during the coating process.
When the pre-treatment of the workpieces is insufficient, more ammonium chloride is required.
Zinc chloride prevents oxidation of the work-piece surfaces. This is particularly important when
the drying time is long. Altogether, the optimum flux concentration and composition must be
adjusted to the particular circumstances. [Com DK]
The iron content of the flux bath is extremely important for process control, economy and
environment. A high concentration of iron in the flux (originating from drag-out from the
pickling bath) will also influence the quality of the zinc coating. Iron carry-over from the flux
bath to the zinc kettle will generate dross and may also increase the final thickness of the zinc
layer for many steel grades. [Com DK]
To reduce the environmental impact of ammonium chloride during dipping, some galvanizers
have changed to 'smoke-reduced' fluxes in which ammonium chloride has partly or completely
been substituted by potassium chloride. [ABAG]

Part C/Chapter 2
After withdrawing the work-pieces from the flux bath, some of the water from the adhering
fluxing fluid evaporates. The extent of evaporation depends on the temperature of the flux bath
and, if the bath is hot, the rate of removal of work from the bath (slower removal gives more
evaporation). Further drying is sometimes achieved in dedicated drying. Exhaust gases from the
galvanizing kettle can sometimes be a useful indirect source of heat to such a drying unit,
although ancillary burners are often also used. Drying of the work helps reduce splashing and
ejection of metal from the zinc bath as the work is dipped, a benefit which is increased if the
work retains heat after leaving the dryer, i.e. if preheat is applied. [Com2 EGGA]
A small number of galvanizing works, especially those with exceptionally demanding fluxing
requirements for intricate parts, operate an alternative process, called wet fluxing. In this
process the fluxing agents flow as a layer of molten salt on the surface of the galvanizing bath.
Steel parts to be galvanized are passed through the flux layer into the zinc bath. Then the molten
salt layer is drawn back from the surface by means of a rake to allow the steel parts to be
withdrawn from the galvanizing bath without further contact with the flux. [EGGA5/98]
C.2.9 Hot Dipping
The fluxed steel fabrications are slowly lowered into a bath of molten zinc. With very long
items, which do not fit in the kettle, double dipping has to be applied to cover the whole surface.
The steel reacts with the zinc to form a coating consisting of a series of zinc-iron alloy layers
topped by a layer of pure zinc when the parts are withdrawn from the bath. The period of
immersion varies from several minutes for relatively light steelwork up to 30 minutes for the
heaviest structural parts. [EGGA5/98]
The molten zinc has a temperature of 440 - 475 oC. Kettle dimensions vary greatly, depending
on the market served and the type of fabrication treated. Typical dimensions are 7 m long by 1.4
m wide by 2.6 m deep, but kettles as long as 20m and as deep as 4 m are in use. The kettle,
enclosed by the furnace casing, is installed in a pit or at floor level with access platforms. The
kettle is normally heated externally, commonly by gas or oil-fired burners. Heating by
immersion burners or by canopy heaters is used when the zinc temperature is above about
460oC (and a steel kettle cannot be used) or where there is insufficient kettle wall surface to
transfer heat into the melt. Where economically viable, electrical heating is used, usually via
radiation from the sides or top, occasionally also by induction or resistance. [EGGA5/98],
[Com2 EGGA], [Com2 Fin]
The zinc bath usually also contains very small amounts of other metals, which either are
impurities of the zinc input or are added as alloying elements. A typical bath composition is:
· Zinc 98.9 wt-%

· Lead 1.0 wt-%
· Iron 0.03 wt-%
· Aluminium 0.002 wt-%
· Cadmium 0.02 wt-%
· Traces of other metals (e.g. tin, copper)
Aluminium and lead are added because of their influence on the thickness and the appearance of
the coating. The addition of lead (from 0.1 to 0.15 per cent) has an influence on the physical
properties of zinc, especially viscosity and surface tension. It helps to wet the steel before
galvanizing and the zinc to flow from the surface after galvanizing. Lead can also be used to
protect the kettle. In this case the molten zinc floats on a layer of molten lead on the bottom of
the kettle. The thickness of the kettle's steel walls is measured on a regular basis to prevent
breaking. [ABAG], [Com2 EGGA]

Part C/Chapter 2
Where steel kettles are used, it is important that the kettle material (typically low-carbon steel
with minimal additions of reactive elements such as silicon) is correctly chosen so as to reduce
the effect of zinc attack, and that it is manufactured to withstand the high hydrostatic loads and
thermal stresses generated during heat-up to operating temperature. Steel kettles internally clad
to resist zinc attack can be obtained, but are significantly more expensive. [Com2 EGGA]
A small number of plants carry out 'high temperature galvanizing' using refractory lined vessels,
which allow the zinc bath to be operated at higher temperatures, usually about 530 oC. This
process is required to treat certain classes of steel (steel grades) and specific types of
components. [EGGA5/98]
Ammonium chloride, a component of the flux agent, has a sublimation temperature below the
zinc bath temperature, and this, together with the other reactions taking place, cause fumes to be
generated during hot dipping. Galvanizing kettles are generally contained in a vented enclosure
or ventilated by a lip extraction system. Commonly, the ventilation air is cleaned in bag filters
and the precipitated dust is shipped off-site for recovery of valuable substances, namely flux
agent. In some cases the precipitated dust is sent for landfill [Com2 Wedge] Some operators
apply venturi scrubbers and use the scrubber blowdown for flux solution make-up.
[EGGA5/98], [Com2 EGGA]
Reactions of zinc with steel, either from the fabrications that are being galvanized or from the
kettle itself, lead to a build-up of zinc-iron alloy in the bath, which is known as hard zinc or
dross. Dross can adhere to the walls of the bath, but mostly accumulates at the bottom where it
is periodically removed using a submerged scoop or grab. Excess dross may interfere with
galvanizing and may cause over-heating of an externally-heated kettle. The material removed is
returned to the secondary zinc industry for recovery of the zinc content or to the zinc chemicals
industry for the manufacture of zinc oxide. [EGGA5/98], [Com EGGA], [Com2 EGGA]
Zinc ash is formed at the surface of the zinc bath due to the reaction of zinc with oxygen in the
air and with the flux. The oxidized material is removed and is reused directly in the plant or
returned to the secondary zinc industry for recovery. [EGGA5/98], [GE6], [Com2 FIN]
C.2.10 Finishing
Steel fabrications are withdrawn from the zinc bath; excessive zinc is removed by wiping or, in
some cases, by rattling. The fabrications are then cooled and inspected. Small surface
imperfections are repaired and the fabrications are removed from the jigs and made ready for
dispatch. After hot dip coating some steel products are quenched in water to give them special
properties. As protection against white rust, the products may be covered with oil emulsions or
may be chromated.
In galvanizing fasteners and small components, a perforated steel basket containing the
components is immersed in liquid zinc in the usual way. When the basket is withdrawn from the
liquid zinc it is placed into a centrifuge system. Excess zinc coating is removed by centrifugal
force. The galvanized components are ejected from the basket and cooled, while the basket is
returned to the process. Proprietary and custom built systems are known. [Com2 EGGA]
When galvanizing tubes and pipes, the outside is blown-off with compressed air, the inside with
steam to remove excess zinc after withdrawal from the zinc bath. During removal of excess zinc
with steam, zinc dust is emitted, but the zinc particles can be collected and returned to the zinc
baths or be utilized in the secondary zinc industry for zinc recovery. [EGGA5/98], [GE6]

Part C/Chapter 3
C.3. PRESENT EMISSION AND CONSUMPTION LEVELS IN

BATCH GALVANIZING
STEEL ITEMS FOR

PROCESSING
WIRES & RECEIPT

TAGS
WATER
VAPOUR
CONC. DEGREASE
(ALK. OR ACID) DEGREASE
RINSE DEPOSITS (L)
WATER FOR REMOVAL
WATER
WATER
RINSE VAPOUR
CONC.
HCl.
RINSE PICKLE
WATER room temp.
ACID WASTE (L)

FOR REMOVAL
STRIP
ZnCl 2 solution recycled to

preflux
RINSE
ZnCl2
DEPOSITS (L)
NH4 Cl
PREFLUX FOR REMOVAL
Water vapour
DRY MOIST
DRYING AIR (G)
AIR
FILTERED
BLACK WORK AIR (G)
FUME
FUME
TREATMENT FUME DEPOSITS
FOR REMOVAL (S)
ZINC HOT DIP
GALVANIZING ASH TO RECYCLE
INGOTS PLANT (S)
WHITE WORK WATER DROSS TO RECYCLE

VAPOUR PLANT (S)
QUENCH
DEPOSITS (L.S)
FOR REMOVAL
INSPECTION
USED WIRE
REJECTS FOR RE-PROCESSING & TAGS
& EMPTY JIGS FOR CLEANING
GALVANIZED PRODUCT
1) Waste streams denoted: S: solid, L: liquid, G: gas or vapour

2) Inflow to degrease, pickle and preflux include small quantities of inhibitors, surfactants, etc.
Figure C.3-1: Material flow sheet for general galvanizing plants

Part C/Chapter 3
Many different factors influence the consumption of resources and the emission of pollutants
and wastes for general galvanizing plants. Variations between plants are caused by: variations in
the nature of the steel inputs such as size, shape and most of all, cleanness; the type of kettle
used; the heating devices; the process flow and the degree of regeneration and reuse of materials
in the process.
Environmental impacts to be expected from general galvanizing are emissions to air and the
generation of waste, in most cases classified as hazardous. Waste water and emissions to water
are a declining problem, as it is possible nowadays to run general galvanizing plants almost
waste water free. [DK-EPA-93] Finland reported waste water discharge from water baths and
floor washing with zinc contents of 5 – 25 mg/l and pH-value of 6 – 10. [Com FIN] Although
waste water discharge is only a minor issue, zinc in surface water run off might have to be
considered.
Sources of emissions to air are: the pre-treatment section, mainly from pickling operations; the
molten zinc surface, especially during the dipping process, and the firing/combustion systems
for heating of the zinc kettle or other treatment vats.
Wastes and by-products arising from batch galvanizing are zinc-containing dross and ash as
well as spent treatment liquors and sludges from the maintenance of the baths. [DK-EPA-93]
During transportation of the fabrications from one treatment bath to the other, fluids (acid, flux
etc.) may drop from the work-pieces. This spillage is usually caught by drip pans and can either
be recycled or collected as chemical waste.
The overall energy consumption for galvanizing fabricated steel is 300 - 900 kWh per tonne of
product with the major part being spent on heating the zinc melt. [DK-EPA-93] The following
chapters give more detailed information on consumption of resources and emissions from the
characteristic processing steps of general galvanizing.
C.3.1 Degreasing
Degreasing baths are made up of degreasing agents and water. The energy needed for heating
the baths to operating temperature is supplied by oil or gas or as electrical energy, depending on
local conditions for each individual plant. In many cases the degreasing systems are heated by
waste heat recovery and heat exchange.
Degreasing results in chemical waste in the form of discarded baths and sludge. The amount of
spent degreasing liquor to be discarded depends on the quantity of steel degreased and the
degree of pollution. It correlates with the maximum working lifetime of the degreasing solution,
which is usually 1 - 2 years. [ABAG] Other sources report a maximum lifetime of degreasing
baths of up to 7 years. [Com EGGA], [Com2 EGGA]
Used alkaline degreasing baths contain sodium hydroxide, carbonates, phosphates, silicates,
surfactants and free and emulsified oil and grease. Used acidic degreasing baths contain, apart
from free and emulsified oil and grease, diluted hydrochloric and/or phosphoric acid,
emulsifiers and corrosion protection inhibitors.
Spent degreasing baths are usually chemically and physically treated by special contractors
(disposal companies). The emulsion is split into an oil-rich and an oil-poor phase. The aqueous,
low-oil part is further treated, while the oil-rich part has to be disposed according to waste
regulations. [ABAG]

Part C/Chapter 3

Degreasing agent 0-4 kg/t
Water 0 - 20 l/t
Energy 0 - 44.6 kWh/t
Liquor and sludge1,2 0 - 5.4 kg/t
Oily sludge3 0.16 kg/t
Discarded degreasing bath 1 - 2 kg/t
Note: Source of data [EGGA5/98], [DK-EPA-93]
1
Contains discarded degreasing bath.
2
Typically 30 - 40 % solids.
3
Sludge periodically withdrawn from degreasing bath, single plant data [ABAG]
Table C.3-1: Consumption and emissions from degreasing activities
C.3.2 Pickling
Pickling baths are set up by diluting HCl, which is usually delivered at a concentration of
28 - 32 % w/w (or approx. 320 – 425 g/l HCl) to working concentration, typically 15 % w/w (or
approx. 160 g/l HCl). In some cases pickling inhibitors are added. Average consumption of acid
is about 20 kg per tonne product, but it is affected by the quality of the steel input: very low
consumption rates (e.g. less than 10 kg/t) can be achieved for clean fabrications as against high
consumption rates (up to 40 kg/t) for rusty parts. Pickling baths are usually operated at ambient
air temperatures, so no energy is needed for heating. In the case of enclosed pre-treatment
pickling, the solution temperature may be up to approximately 40o C. In this case the baths must
be heated. Other energy consumptions in the pickling process result from the operation of
auxiliary equipment such as pumps and cranes, although this may be considered negligible.
[EGGA5/98], [Com2 EGGA]
Hydrogen chloride emissions arise from the pickling baths in different quantities, depending on
the temperature and the concentration of the bath. These acid fumes are usually diffuse
emissions. Extraction measures (e.g. lip extraction) or flue scrubbing are generally not applied,
as general plant ventilation keeps the concentration of HCl in the workplace air below permitted
limits [ABAG]. Special cases are plants operating enclosed pre-treatment sections, which
sometimes operate with higher acid temperatures. Here the enclosure is extracted and the waste
gas is usually scrubbed.
Wastes generated in pickling are spent pickle liquor and sludge. Spent pickle liquor consists of
free acid, iron chloride (up to 140 - 170 g Fe/t), zinc chloride, alloying elements of the pickled
steel and, sometimes, pickling inhibitors. Where stripping and pickling are done in the same
bath, mixed pickle liquor is generated, with high zinc and iron contents. If degreasing is done in
the pickling bath, free and emulsified oil and grease are present as well. The average
composition of spent pickling baths are given in Table C.3-2.

Part C/Chapter 3
Pickling Pickling (including stripping)

1
Iron (as FeCl2) < 140 g/l < 140 g/l
Zinc 5 - 10 g/l 2 20 - 40 g/l
HCl (free acid) 30 - 50 g/l 30 - 50 g/l
Pickle inhibitor approx. 50 ppm (1 l inhibitor per 20 m3 pickle liquor)
Oil, grease, surfactants n.a. (carry-over from degreasing baths)
Note: Source of data [ABAG]
1
Ratio of FeCl3: FeCl2 is about 1:50 according to [ABAG], while [Com DK] reports the ratio of FeCl3: FeCl2 is <
1:1000.
2
Requirements set by recycling companies are usually more stringent.
Table C.3-2: Composition ranges of spent pickle baths

Hydrochloric acid 1
9.2 – 40 2 kg/t
Inhibitor 0 - 0.2 kg/t
Water3 0 - 35 l/t
Energy4 0 - 25 kWh/t
Emissions to air: a
Hydrogen chloride 0.1 – 5 mg/m3
Dust 1 mg/m3
Waste acid and sludge5,6,7 10 - 40 l/t
Discarded pickle liquor
Note: Source of data [EGGA5/98], except a: [DK-EPA-93]
1
Consumption refers to 30 % HCl
2
[Flem BAT] reports up to 70 kg/t without reference to acid concentration
3
Lower end of the range represents cases in which the acid is delivered in lower concentrations or in end
concentration (~ 16 %)
4
Energy needed for acid heating in enclosed pre-treatment plants.
5
Includes discarded spent pickle bath
6
Containing about 140 g Fe/l-spent bath as FeCl2
7
Acid waste reported by DK: 15 – 50 kg/t.[DK-EPA-93]
Table C.3-3: Consumption and emissions from pickling
C.3.3 Stripping
The amount of items to be stripped, rejected galvanized items, suspension devices and
fabrications whose coatings need to be renewed, ranges 1 -15 kg/t.
Stripping of workpieces is done using hydrochloric acid baths usually with lower concentrations
and reactivity similar to those required for pickling. Some operators use partly spent pickle
liquors or use the pickling bath for stripping but, as described later on, this leads to a number of
environmental disadvantages.
Stripping operation using hydrochloric acid also generates waste acids, but with a different
composition from those originating from pickling. If stripping is carried out in an acidic bath
separate from the pickling baths then zinc chloride relatively uncontaminated by iron chloride is
generated in the stripping bath. This solution can be recycled to the preflux (zinc ammonium
chloride) bath. [Com FIN], [Com2 EGGA]
Iron chloride- and zinc chloride-containing solutions from combined pickling and stripping can
be used in the fertilizer industry. Although attention has to be payed to zinc addition to

Part C/Chapter 3
agricultural soils and the fact that statutory limits are not exceeded. [Com FIN], [Com2 UK
Galv]
Stripping
Iron (as FeCl2) < 10 % of zinc content1
Zinc (as ZnCl2) 160 - 200 g/l
HCl (free acid) < 10 g/l
Pickle inhibitor approx. 50 ppm (1 l inhibitor per 20 m3 pickle liquor)
Oil, grease, surfactants n.a. (carry-over from degreasing baths)
1
Required by recycling company, can only be achieved by use of pickle inhibitors.
Table C.3-4: Composition range of spent stripping baths

Hydrochloric acid 0-6 kg/t
Water1 0-7 l/t
Spent strip liquor 2 1.2 -15 kg/t
Note: Source of data [EGGA5/98]
1
For adjusting pickle bath concentrations.
2
Example composition: zinc 200 g/l, iron 130 g/l, 10 g/l [DK-EPA-93]
Table C.3-5: Consumption and emissions from stripping
C.3.4 Fluxing
The flux bath is made up of the flux agent (usually ZnCl2 x NH4Cl) and a certain amount of
water to yield the right concentration. The flux agent is sometimes formed using KCl in place
of some or all of the NH4Cl. In most cases, energy is needed to heat the flux baths, for which
some operators use recovered heat.
Air emissions from fluxing baths are considered negligible, as the bath does not contain volatile
compounds and the main emission is water vapour. Waste arising from fluxing operation
includes discarded fluxing liquor and sludge. [DK-EPA-93]
Flux baths which are not continuously regenerated increase in acidity and iron content as they
are used. They contain (depending on the flux agent) ammonia chloride, zinc chloride and /or
potassium chloride. Batch recycling of preflux solution is common practice. In some cases used
solution is returned to the preflux producer on a regular basis. [Com EGGA], [Com2 EGGA]

Part C/Chapter 3

Flux agent 0 - 3 kg/t
Water1 0 - 20 l/t
Energy kWh/t
Spent flux 1-6 kg/t
Waste water and sludge1 0 - 20 l/t
Iron hydroxide sludge2
Note: Source of data [EGGA5/98]
1
Lower end of the range refers to wet fluxing.
2
From continuous flux bath regeneration.
Table C.3-6: Consumption and emissions from fluxing
Dryers located downstream of the preflux bath consume energy in heating the drying air. Some
or all of this energy may be supplied from the flue of the galvanizing furnace. Moist air leaving
the dryer to atmosphere (either inside or outside the factory) carries chlorides with it. Surplus
preflux solution drips off the work into the dryer where it dries into crystalline form and is
periodically removed. Where large fans are used to blow air through dryers they may require
significant amounts of electrical energy and may cause noise. [Com2 EGGA]
C.3.5 Rinsing I + II
General galvanizing plants consume 0 to 20 l/t of galvanized steel for rinsing operations,
resulting in about the same amount of waste water and sludge. [EGGA5/98]
C.3.6 Hot Dipping
The main raw material input for the dipping process is, of course, the coating metal zinc. The
average consumption of zinc for 1 t of galvanized steel is 75 kg. Extreme figures in zinc
consumption - high or low - can be attributed to the shape of the fabricated steel and the quality
of the coating. Zinc consumption is, of course, proportional to the surface coated and the
thickness of the coating. [EGGA5/98]
Gas, oil or electric energy provides the energy necessary for melting the zinc and maintaining
the temperature of the zinc bath.
The galvanizing kettle is one of the major sources of emissions to air. During dipping, vapour,
gas and particulate pollutants rise from the zinc bath and can be seen as a white cloud.
Depending on the fluxes, the emissions comprise extremely fine sublimation and vaporisation
products including ions of chlorine, ammonia and zinc, as well as the compounds zinc oxide,
zinc chloride and ammonium chloride.
The kind and amount of emissions depend on the consumption of the flux, its composition and
additional factors determined by the parts to be galvanized (kind, number, surface area/quality)
and their pre-treatment (degreasing, pickling, rinsing, drying). Some sources reported the size of
hygroscopic particles to be very small, mostly < 1 micron. While others reported that the
average particle size was 30 microns and only about 5 % being < 1 micron [Com2 FIN].
According to some recently completed investigations on the distribution of particle sizes in

airborne particulate emissions from the galvanizing bath following dipping of steel, there are no
health concerns over particle size and mass of emissions to which galvanizing operators may be

Part C/Chapter 3
exposed during the process of galvanizing. The investigation showed that the personal exposure
monitoring data of the operators is both low in total mass, especially so in the case of 'low -
fuming fluxes' or 'smoke reduced fluxes' and that the mass of small particles of less than 1
micron diameter is the same for both normal fluxes and 'low fuming fluxes'. Therefore there are
no health concerns between the different flux types and no concerns over the size of the
airborne particulate in any event. [Piat 19.9]
Less than 10% of the total mass ,itself less that 1.5 mg/m3 in total, of
the particulate is les than 1 micron.
In summary all health concerns are of not an issue.
The amount of dust emitted is closely related to the consumption of flux agent. Some
investigations have shown that at a flux consumption of 2 kg/t the dust emission was between
0.2 and 0.3 kg/t, while the emission of dust with a flux consumption of 4 kg/t was
approximately 1.2 kg/t of product. The dust concentration in the crude waste gas from dry
galvanizing often reaches more than 100 mg/m3. With wet galvanizing the figures are even
higher; a typical range is 80 to 180 mg/m3. If, as a result of process upset, the degreasing
operation is inefficient, it is possible for oil or grease to enter the zinc bath and be subject to low
temperature combustion. In this case the filter dust may contain up to 10 % grease and dioxins
may be detected. [ABAG], [DK-EPA-93], [Galva94-1], [Com EGGA]
The waste gas is either treated in fabric filters, resulting in filter dust, or is scrubbed, giving rise
to aqueous effluent which is normally treated. In addition to dust, small volumes of gaseous
substances such as hydrogen chloride and ammonia are emitted, originating from the
decomposition of the flux agent and recombination of ammonium chloride as airborne
particulate [Com2 UK Galv]. Furthermore, the combustion of fuels to heat the galvanizing
furnace results in emission of combustion products such as CO, CO2, and NOx (also, with oil
combustion, SOx). Combustion air fans and burners may produce noise. [DK-EPA-93], [Com2
EGGA]
During dipping, zinc-containing solid by-products such as hard zinc, ash and squirts arise. Hard
zinc (or dross) is enriched in the zinc bath during operation and originates from the galvanized
work-pieces, from the vessel walls (reaction product of iron in the steel with the molten zinc)
and from reaction of iron salts carried over from pickling and fluxing. Because of its higher
density hard zinc collects at the bottom of the kettle from where it is periodically removed.
Because of the high zinc content (95 to 98 %) the dross is sold to recycling companies for
recovery.
Zinc ash with a lower density, floating on the surface of the galvanizing bath, consists mainly
of zinc oxide and zinc chloride, with some aluminium oxide if alloyed to the metal bath. Ash is
skimmed off before removing the dipped work-pieces, usually carrying large amounts of zinc
out as well. Zinc content is 40 to 90 % and makes it valuable for recycling either directly in the
plant by secondary zinc industry. [ABAG], [Com2 Wedge], [Com2 FIN]
From time to time small amounts of metallic zinc are ejected from the kettle, as a result of
evaporation of moisture from the surface of the steel. They mostly adhere to the fume extraction
equipment (if existing) from which they are removed for recovery of their metallic content.
[Com EGGA] Splashed zinc can be remelted directly in the galvanizing bath or be sent for
recovery off site. It may contain zinc oxide and/or be contaminated by hitting the floor if the
kettle is not enclosed. [ABAG]

Part C/Chapter 3

Zinc 20 – 200 (1) kg/t
Recovered Zinc (zinc ash) 0 - 15 kg/t
Energy (2) 180 - 1000 kWh/t
Extracted gas from kettle (2) 1500 - -12000 (3) m3/t
(suction hoods, encapsulation etc.)
Emissions to air from zinc pot: a
Dust 40 –600 g/t 10–100(4) mg/m3
Zinc 2 – 20 (5) mg/m3
Hydrogen chloride 1 - 2 mg/m3
Lead negligible
Ash 4 - 25 kg/t
Dross 5 - 30 kg/t
Combustion gas: 500 - 3250 m3/t
(NOx, CO/CO2, SO2)
Filter dust (6) 0.1 - 0.6 kg/t
Note: Source of data [EGGA5/98], except a: [DK-EPA-93]
1
extremely high Zn consumption maybe referred to galvanizing of very small parts, like bolts. Average: 73.4 kg/t
2
usually no abatement techniques applied, discharge via a stack
3
some data from DK state 20000 – 40000 m3/t
4
Other sources report 1- 3 mg/m3 [Flatt/Knupp]
5
DK reports one example of a manual production line where 60 mg/m3 of zinc where measured at a volume flow of
1500 m3/h. [DK-EPA-93]
6
Composition depends on flux agent, but basically it is ammonia chloride, zinc chloride and possibly Al, Fe, and
organic compounds
Table C.3-7: Consumption and emissions from the zinc kettle
C.3.7 Finishing
Tube Galvanising
The removal of excess zinc from tube surfaces, by blowing compressed air or watersteam, leads
to emissions of zinc and zinc containing dusts. The steam pressure pulse may also be a source
of noise. Therefore the zinc blow-off is done into soundproofed collecting containers.
In those cases where quenching of galvanized work-pieces is inevitable, water consumption is

up to 10 l/t of galvanized steel. The water is partly evaporated, partly re-used for making up
process baths.

Part C/Chapter 4
C.4. TECHNIQUES TO CONSIDER IN THE DETERMINATION OF

BAT FOR BATCH GALVANIZING
C.4.1 Storage and Handling of Raw Materials and Auxiliaries

C.4.2 Degreasing
C.4.2.1 Minimization of Oil and Grease Input
Description:
Customers of galvanizing plants should be persuaded to oil and grease their items as little as
possible. Reducing the oil/grease input is a cheap, easy and effective measure to prolong the life
of degreasing baths and thus reduce the amount of waste generated (spent bath and oily sludge).

· Reduced spent degreasing baths.
· Reduced waste water and sludge.
Applicability:
· New and existing plants (the influence of the galvanizer on the state of the input material
may be limited in job galvanizing).
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.2.2 Optimized Bath Operation
Description:
General measure to control degreasing bath operations by monitoring bath parameters such as
temperature and concentration of degreasing agent, can be used for optimizing degreasing
activities and thus make efficient use of the degreasing bath. Furthermore, degreasing efficiency
can be improved by enhancing the contact of liquor and workpiece: e.g. by moving the
workpiece, by moving the bath (agitation) or by using ultrasound. Cascade degreasing can also
improve operation and reduce environmental impact.

· Reduced waste water and sludge.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Part C/Chapter 4
Economics:
C.4.2.3 Maintenance and Cleaning of Degreasing Baths

In alkaline degreasing the emulsions formed are unstable. Oil and grease readily conglomerate
again and form a layer floating on the surface in still areas of the bath (i.e. where there is no
degreasing bath current). Here the conglomerate can be separated and withdrawn by means of
skimmers, discharge launders, weirs etc. With these measures, simply using natural gravity
(separating time: a couple of hours), the life of degreasing baths can be prolonged by 2 to 4
times. Sludge withdrawn contains oils, grease, degreasing agent, scale, rust, dust etc. and is
usually disposed of. [ABAG]
Separation is more effective using centrifuge separators, which split the oil and water phases
within seconds. Very small oil and grease drops are separated more easily; the oil-rich part
contains only 5 - 10 % water and unwanted carryout of degreasing chemicals is prevented. The
life of the baths can be prolonged by up to 16 times. [ABAG]
In micro- and ultra-filtration the degreasing bath is pumped through membranes (3 - 8 bar) in
which oil, grease and spent surfactants are held back due to the size of the molecules. To protect
the membranes, the degreasing liquid is usually cleaned from particles in a settling tank. Micro-
and ultra-filtration increase the lifetime of the bath by 10 to 20 times. The investment costs for
micro-/ultra-filtration with the appropriate capacity for galvanizing plants are estimated at
80000 to 100000 DM. The membranes (pore size) have to be adjusted to the characteristic of
the degreasing bath and have to match the cleaning requirements for each individual bath. With
the ever changing conditions usually observed in job galvanizing (variation in contents,
surfactants, oils, grease etc.), operational problems occur, like clogging, fouling and damage to
the membrane. [ABAG] Appropriate membranes and specific bath chemistry have yet to be
developed to allow application in batch hot dip galvanizing. [Com2 D]
All measures described above to prolong the life span of degreasing baths are also applicable to
acidic degreasing baths, but due to the more stable emulsions formed, efficiency is reduced.
[ABAG]

Applicability:
● Generates oily sludge/concentrate (refer to C.4.2.5).
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part C/Chapter 4
C.4.2.4 Continuous Biological Degreasing of the Degreasing Bath

('Biological Degreasing')
Description:
Oil and grease, accumulated in the degreasing bath, are decomposed by micro-organisms. The
waste product is biological sludge which is drained off the system daily. The degreasing bath
will get an unlimited service life, and the bath will provide optimum degreasing at any one time.
[DK-EPA-93]
The degreaser liquid is based on alkali, phosphates, silicates and nonion- and kation-active
tensides. A concentrate of these chemicals and micro-organisms is mixed continuously. In the
degreasing tank itself, air is admitted to keep the biological processes going. Water is also
added to compensate for the evaporation loss, as the bath is kept at the optimum operating
temperature of 37 ºC. The liquid from the degreaser tank is circulated across a lamellar
separator at a rate of approx. 1 m3/h. In the lamellar separator the accumulated sludge
consisting of a mixture of live and dead microorganisms (biosludge) is separated off. The
sludge (approx. 10 l/d) is drained off manually via a bottom valve. The dosing of chemicals is
performed by dosing pumps in the outlet box downstream of the lamellar separator. It may be
difficult to be totally accurate, and excess consumption will probably be common. Dosing of
required chemicals, is automatically controlled to maintain a pH value of 9.13. [DK-EPA-93]

· Reduction of waste (spent degreasing bath) and thus of treatment sludge.
Applicability:
· New and existing galvanizing plants.
Reference plants:
Næstved Varmforzinkning ApS (period of experience: 6 years) [DK-EPA-93]; France;
Verzinkerei Dieren, NL; 1 or 2 plants in Germany

Example Næstved Varmforzinkning
Næstved Varmforzinkning introduced the process in 1987 and the operational experience is
very positive (see Figure C.4-1). Today the degreasing is much more efficient and consistent
than when they degreased in warm caustic soda lye and this results in quicker pickling with less
acid attack on the base material. Both the consumption of pickling acid and discarded waste
have dropped. When pickling has been completed the surface is more even and uniform than
before. This has in turn resulted in lower consumption of zinc in the hot-dip galvanizing
process itself. The new degreasing process has meant that the plant has been able to reduce the
zinc content of the pickling bath from 10 – 15 % to 4 – 8 %. This has greatly improved the
occupational environment in the production hall in that the conventional "acid smell" has
disappeared, by and large. In practice, the consumption of Camex Bio 104 has been about 6
times higher than expected (per tonne of products per year). This is probably due to both
overdosing and a necessary additional consumption of chemicals for the heavily oiled items
processed at the plant. Furthermore, the items have a very large surface per unit weight which
requires more chemicals per tonne of products. The system is probably 3 - 6 times bigger than
necessary for Næstved Varmgalvanisering. The company simply bought the smallest system
for biological degreasing sold by the Swedish firm, Camex. [DK-EPA-93]

Part C/Chapter 4
1 m3 /h
Camex Bio 104-10

Camex Bio 104
Air Degreasing bath pH

Water
Heat 9 m3 - 37 deg. C
Lamellar
separator
Sludge
Figure C.4-1: Flow sheet for biological degreasing (example CAMEX)

[DK-EPA-93]
Economics:
Capital costs (as of 1987) incl. installation, but excl. degreaser tank: DKK 325000
Operational costs: Camex Bio 104: 1550 kg at DKK 26 DKK 40300
Camex Bio 104 - 10: 100 kg at DKK 26 DKK 2600
2.5 tonnes of sludge at DKK 2440 DKK 6100
Total per year excl. hours and electricity DKK 49000
It is difficult to quantify the financial advantages to the plant as compared with the earlier
process where they degreased in warm caustic soda lye. The consumption of acid and zinc have
dropped considerably and fewer products are scrapped since they introduced biological
degreasing. However, the savings are also caused by other changes in products and production
during the period in question. It is therefore difficult to decide exactly what financial
advantages the new degreasing process is offering. [DK-EPA-93]
Example Galvanizing plant, Germany [ABAG-Bio]

The galvanizing plant switched operation from acidic degreasing to biological degreasing in the
period December 1994 to April 1995. The initial production line included an acidic degreasing
bath, consisting of diluted phosphoric acid and HCl, tensides and corrosion inhibitors, followed
by a rinse. The bath quality was maintained by removing the oil from the surface and
refreshening the acidic bath liquor. The acidic degreasing was changed to alkaline degreasing
followed by a biological rinse bath treatment. Reported advantages of switch of operation were:
- Reduced pickling time (20 – 25 %).
- Increased pickling quality.
- Reduced fresh acid consumption.
- Reduced rejects.
- Reduced oily sludge.
The investment cost (excluding investment cost for treatment vats) for change of operation were
reported to be 181000 DM for a galvanising plant with a capacity of 10000 tonnes per year. The
energy consumption was increased (higher temperature of deagreasing and biological rinse bath,
pumps) and also the man hours to run the system was increased. Nevertheless, for this case

Part C/Chapter 4
study annual saving potential of 250000 DM were reported and the time of amortisation was
calculated to be 0.8 years. [ABAG-Bio]

Reference literature: [DK-EPA-93], [ABAG-Bio]
C.4.2.5 Utilization of Oily Sludge and Concentrates
Description:
A variety of methods is used to remove oily sludge from the degreasing bath. This sludge
contains solids together with a range of grease and oils. Depending on contaminant loading and
calorific value, it can be used for energy recovery by incineration. The oily sludge is removed
from site by a specialised contractor either for controlled disposal or for recovery of the oil
contained in it. In some cases, if the water content is low, the sludge can be used as part of the
fuel requirement for steam raising or heating plant. [Com EGGA]

· Reduction of oil containing waste.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.2.6 Reduction of Carry-over to the Pickling Baths
Description:
The amount of solution carried out of degreasing baths and into the following pickling process
can be minimized by allowing enough time for the solution to drip off, but especially by
implementing a rinse step (more detailed information on rinsing see Chapter C.4.4).

· Reduced consumption of degreasing solution.
· Prolonged lifespan of pickling baths, thus reduced acid consumption.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part C/Chapter 4
C.4.3 Pickling and Stripping
C.4.3.1 Optimized Bath Operation and Control
Description:
Pickling efficiency, and thereby the necessary pickling time, changes during the lifetime of the
bath. As the bath gets older, the iron concentration increases quite a lot, and less free acid is
needed to keep the same pickling velocity as initially. Drastic changes in the pickle liquor, e.g.
by replacing large volumes of the bath, may lead to unknown pickle conditions which may
result in overpickling.
Careful monitoring of bath parameters (acid concentration, iron content etc), can help in
optimizing the operation by raising the awareness of changes in the bath and allowing for
changed operating procedures, such as shortening pickling time to avoid overpickling.
Discharge of spent pickle liquor and addition of fresh acid in more frequent but small doses
avoids drastic changes in bath characteristics and allows for smooth operation.

· Reduced acid consumption.
· Less overpickling (associated with less waste).
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.3.2 Minimising Spent Pickle Liquor by use of Pickling Inhibitors
Description:
To protect parts of the workpieces, which are already metallically clean, from over-pickling,
pickling inhibitors are added to the pickling solution. Pickling inhibitors can reduce the material
loss of the work-pieces by up to 98 % and can reduce acid consumption. However, these
organic inhibitors could have a negative influence on subsequent acid recycling processes and
reducing acid consumption by use of pickling inhibitors should be considered carefully.
[ABAG]

· Less waste acid.
Applicability:
· Some pickling inhibitors may reduce the recycling options for waste acid.
Reference plants:
Vast majority (> 90 %) of all galvanizers use pickling inhibitors. [EGGA8/99]

Part C/Chapter 4
Operational data:
Estimated reduction in acid consumption 10 – 20 % [EGGA8/99]
Economics:
Positive, cost savings [EGGA7/99]

· Enhanced quality of product.
· Reduced operational costs.
C.4.3.3 Activated Pickling
Description:
Pickling in hydrochloric acid with a low acid percentage and a high iron content is referred to as
activated pickling. When pickling steel in hydrochloric acid, the acid content is normally
10 - 12 % in order to get a reasonably quick pickling. However, at this acid percentage, the
development of hydrogen chloride is rather high. When using activated pickling, the acid
percentage may be halved without affecting the pickling rate negatively, provided the iron
concentration is kept at 120 - 180 g/1. The temperature of the pickling bath needs to be kept at
20 – 25 ºC.

Applicability:
Reference plants:
FJ Varmforzinkning A/S, (period of experience: 5 years) [DK-EPA-93]

Example Ferritslev Jernvarefabrik (FJ )
This system is used at Ferritslev Jernvarefabrik (FJ) where they also keep the pickling bath
almost free of zinc. The discarded baths can be utilized as precipitation agent at the municipal
sewage treatment plant. - FJ Varmforzinkning only has to pay the transport costs. [DK-EPA-93]

Part C/Chapter 4
Biological Purification Waste

degreasing of bath
app. 37ºC
Activated pickle
HCl=4-6%, 20-25 ºC Heating
Iron: 120-180 g/l
Economy rinse Topping up
Iron: 30-40 g/l
Fluxing bath Purification Waste

ZnCl2 +NH4Cl of bath
Figure C.4-2: Flowsheet for activated pickling

[DK-EPA-93]
After biological degreasing the items are immersed directly into an activated pickling bath with
4 - 6 % hydrochloric acid and an iron content of 120 - 180 g/1. The items are suspended in
black steel wires which are used only once. By doing so they prevent zinc coated suspension
devices from entering the pickling bath. Furthermore, in a special stripping acid (4 - 7 %
hydrochloric acid) zinc is stripped off items to be re-galvanized. Thus, the zinc concentration in
the pickling bath may be kept at a very low level. [DK-EPA-93]
They have 4 pickling tanks of 100 m3 each. From each tank 10 m3/h are circulated by means of
a pump. The circulated volumes of water are mixed and pass through a heat exchanger before
the water is returned to the individual tanks via a distribution system. In this manner they take
care of both heating and circulation in the pickling baths. [DK-EPA-93]
It is important not to rinse between the biological degreaser and the pickler, since carry-over
chemicals from the degreaser act as an inhibitor in the pickler, thereby preventing acid attack on
the base material. [DK-EPA-93]
After the pickling bath, rinsing is carried out in a so-called economy rinse which is used to
dilute the pickling bath when part of it is to be discarded. Typically, the economy rinse has an
iron content of 30 - 40 g/1 and, consequently, it reduces significantly the carry-over of iron into
the flux bath. [DK-EPA-93]
Discarded stripping acid is delivered to Kommunekemi in the usual way. Discarded pickling
acid is delivered to a firm which utilizes it as precipitation agent in municipal sewage treatment
plants. When they change the bath they typically drain off 20 m3 of bath which is replaced by
10 m3 of hydrochloric acid and.10 m3 of water from the economy rinse. [DK-EPA-93]
The production of hydrogen chloride in the acid hall is so low that even without extraction the
hydrogen chloride content is 11 - 20 times below the occupational health and safety threshold
value. Occupational environment measurements in the acid hall show hydrogen chloride
concentrations in the air of 0.32 - 0.65 mg/m3. This is only 5 - 9 % of the threshold value for
hydrogen chloride of the Danish Working Environment Service which is 7 mg/m3.
As activated pickling was introduced at the same time as biological degreasing and fluxing bath
regeneration, it is difficult to quantify the financial advantages. In principle, extraction in the
acid hall may be dispensed with. If they had extraction, air purification might be required.
Their solution means that they can do without such equipment.

Part C/Chapter 4
The service life of the pickling baths increases by about 50 % when using activated pickling,
because the bath is not discarded until it has an iron content of 180 g/l compared with the usual
120 g/1. It is cheap to get rid of the discarded pickling bath when it does not contain substantial
quantities of zinc. The plant only has to pay for the transport to Kemira MiIjø in Esbjerg where
the discarded bath is reprocessed into precipitation agent. [DK-EPA-93]
A heating system for the pickling baths is necessary when activated pickling is used, which
means additional expense as compared with conventional pickling baths.

C.4.3.4 HCl Recovery from Spent Pickle Bath
C.4.3.4.1 Evaporative Recovery (HCl)

· Reduction in fresh acid consumption, reduction in fresh acid production (resources, energy)
Applicability:
· New and existing plants
· High energy consumption [Com2 D].
· Generation of iron chloride solution (concentrate), suitable for recyling?
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Figure C.4-3 and Figure C.4-4 show the flow sheet and the mass balance for an example
galvanizing plant.

Part C/Chapter 4
Figure C.4-3: Example flowsheet for evaporative HCl recovery in a galvanising plant
based on [Cullivan-IG-97]
Spent HCl, 1000 litre Recovered HCl, 542 litre Recovered water, 85 litre
8 % hydrochloric acid Separator 14 % HCI wt/vol <1% HCI
80 g/1 iron, 40 g/1 zinc <0.1% Fe <0.001% Fe
Specific gravity: 1.2 g/cm3 <0.1% Zn <0.001% Zn
Concentrate, 320 litre

193 kg FeCl2
83.4 kg ZnCl2
4.8 kg HCI
Specific gravity: 1.45 g/cm 3
Figure C.4-4: Mass balance for evaporation recovery (example)

[Cullivan-IG-97]
The recovered acid can be returned to the pickling tank. Additional fresh acid blended into the
pickling tank will make up for volume losses generated by the removal of the iron chloride
solution and water. The recovered water can proceed either to the rinse tank, to the pickle tanks
or to the flux bath. [Cullivan-IG-97]
The energy consumption for the plant as a whole is 230kWh/1000 l treated, net of energy
recovery of 150kW by use of a special heat exchanger. [Com2 EGGA]
Economics:

Part C/Chapter 4
C.4.3.5 External Regeneration of Spent HCl Pickle Bath
C.4.3.5.1 Fluidised Bed Process and Spray Roasting

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
The fluidised bed and spray roasting processes for HCl recovery are useful only for liquors
which contain iron but no zinc. If zinc enters the feedstock there is a strong possibility of
process upset. Although some sources quote a maximum level of 2 - 3g/l zinc in feedstock, it
appears that the problem of zinc in feedstock has not been solved. In case of operational
problems due to zinc content in the spent acid, pre-treatment measures to remove zinc might be
necessary to allow regeneration. So far spray roasting is not applied for regeneration in batch
hot dip coating.
Economics:
The processes are not practical at small scale, and so are not found in the general galvanizing
industry. [Com EGGA]
C.4.3.6 Separated Pickling and Stripping
Description:
In general, mixed spent acids, containing large amounts of iron and zinc, are very difficult to re-
use or recycle. By pickling and stripping in separate tanks, zinc content in iron pickle baths can
be kept as low as possible. Additionally, either single-use suspensions should be used where
possible (wire) or multiple-use suspensions should be stripped before using. [ABAG]

· Keeping waste streams separate allows for regeneration.
Applicability:
· For existing plants, application may be limited due to space restrictions (for additional
tanks).
Reference plants: Otto, Kreuztal, Germany [Com2 D]

Part C/Chapter 4
Operational data:
To reduce waste water generation, quenching water is often used to prepare and refresh pickle
solutions. However, quenching water can add large amounts of zinc to pickling baths. Careful
acid management can achieve zinc contents of 5 to 10 g/l in iron pickling baths. [ABAG]
Economics:
C.4.3.7 Reduction of Zinc to Iron Ratio
Description:
Spent pickling baths can contain up to 5 % of free HCl. By adding iron swarf, the remaining
acid can be converted to iron chloride. In low zinc-content mixed pickle baths this can lead to
zinc - iron ratios that allow a regeneration of the mixed acid, e.g. by spray roasting.
Contaminant traces in the pickle liquor of cadmium, lead, silicon and other alloying metals are
precipitated and can be removed. 'Down-graded' pickle liquors, when thermally regenerated,
usually result in higher quality iron oxides, which are more easily saleable. [ABAG]

Applicability:
Reference plants: not used in practice [EGGA]
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.3.7.1 Pre-treatment for Increased Reuse Options
Description: see Chapter D.5.9.3 and Chapter D.5.9.4

Pre-treatment by diffusion dialysis or retardation

Applicability:
· Both techniques (diffusion dialysis and retardation) require water, thus introducing
additional water into the process, which in turn may conflict with the goal of effluent-free
operation of batch hot dip galvanizing plants. [Com2 D].
Reference plants:
Diffusion dialysis was subjected to trials in a German galvanizing works. It was not successful
in this application. [Com EGGA]
Operational data:
Economics:

Part C/Chapter 4
C.4.3.8 Recovery of Spent Mixed Pickle Liquor by Solvent-extraction
Description:
The solvent extraction process for selective zinc removal from spent HCl pickling acids uses the
extractant Tributylphosphate (TBP) and is based on the following simplified reaction:
TBP + n ZnCl2 + m HCI <===> TBP x n ZnCl2 x m HCI
ZnCl2 from the aqueous feed is bound as a chloride complex together with HCl to the organic,
which is less dense than aqueous phase. Thus, it can be separated by decantation. When the
loaded organic is intensively contacted with a new aqueous solution phase, the complexing
reaction is reversed (re-extraction) so the stripped organic extractant can be recycled and a
dilute aqueous ZnCl2 solution is produced. The ZnCl2 solution is evaporated to increase the
zinc concentration. The condensate is recycled to re-extraction and the concentrate is sold.
Figure C.4-5 illustrates the whole process schematically.
Figure C.4-5: Schematic of the solvent extraction process
Spent acid, stored in a special tank or in the pickling vessel, passes through a filter in which
solid particles such as metal swarf, oxide scale, insoluble oils, dirt and cigarette ends etc are
captured. The filtrate passes a buffering device and enters the first of three conventional mixer-
settlers for zinc extraction by TBP. Zinc is extracted together with some free HCl and FeCl3.

Part C/Chapter 4
The zinc-loaded organic phase leaves the extraction section after three counter-current contacts
with the spent acid. More or fewer stages are possible and depend on zinc concentration. The
organic, which is less dense in comparison to the aqueous, leaves the settler over a weir which
adjusts the phase boundary and organic to aqueous volume ratio.
The zinc-free FeCl2 raffinate leaves the last mixer-settler (3rd extraction stage) from the bottom
and is captured by a coalescer to remove residual organic. Raffinate is pumped to the storage
vessel of the plant, which may be a fixed tank or a tank truck. The zinc loaded organic phase
enters the re-extraction section (same container) consisting of three further mixer-settlers. Here
it comes into contact with normal tap water and condensate from the evaporation unit. ZnCl2,
FeCl3 traces and HCI are washed from the extractant, which is recycled to the extraction vessel.
The aqueous solution (strip solution) again passes a coalescer and is pumped to the evaporation
container.
The strip solution is very low in zinc and normally has no further use. For that reason, it is
concentrated to about 300 g zinc per 1itre. Any other suitable concentration can be achieved.
Evaporation is carried out by a steam heated evaporator constructed of PVDF.
The zinc concentration in the pregnant liquor is of minor interest for the extraction process.
Ideally, the strip solution will contain about 30 g/1 zinc. The lower the zinc concentrations in
the spent acid, the higher will be the nominal throughput of acid due to a higher
aqueous/organic ratio. However, higher zinc feed leads to higher treatment costs.
Heat for evaporation is delivered by steam produced in two small steam generators. The steam
generators can be fired with natural gas or propane and have a high conversion efficiency.
Steam is fed under pressure to the PVDF tubes of the evaporator. Heat is thus transferred to the
strip solution.
The vapour passes a condenser cooled by salt-free tap water in circuit. In this way it is possible
to completely recover the evaporated water and HCl with a cooling tower.
Vapour condensation can be arranged in two steps. At first the water with low free HCl (<5 g/1
in total volume) will be captured. This fraction is about 85 to 95 per cent of total condensate.
Then the tank is changed and filled with the remaining condensate, rich in acid. A final
concentration of 15 - 18 per cent, suitable for pickling, should be achievable. The acid can be
re-used in-house. Due to technical problems this selective HCl recovery was not possible within
the project period.
Evaporation can be carried out more or less continuously. It is complete when the zinc
concentration in the evaporator feed reaches 300 g/1. The final concentration can vary
depending on the customer's requirement.

· Reuse of mixed (zinc-containing) acid.
Applicability:
· Chemicals used/solvents.
Reference plants:
A liquid-liquid extraction plant for the recovery of acids containing zinc and iron is operated by
Norsk Hydro at Oberhausen, Germany.

Part C/Chapter 4
Trials and investigations were done with a mobile plant at the Berliner
Grossverzinkerer/Metaleurop. Meanwhile the mobile unit has been turned into a stationary
plant. [Com2 D]
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.3.9 Reuse of Spent Mixed Pickle Liquors
C.4.3.9.1 Iron Removal and Reuse as Flux
Description:
Spent hydrochloric acid from combined pickling and stripping with high concentrations of iron
and zinc can be processed and recovered like a flux bath (see Chapter D.7.1.1). After oxidation
with hydrogen peroxide and neutralisation with ammonia the iron hydroxide sludge is
separated. The remaining liquid contains high concentrations of zinc chloride and ammonium
chloride and can be reused as a flux solution. [Com DK]

· Reduced waste.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.3.9.2 Zinc Removal from Hydrochloric Acid Pickling Baths
Description:
The process (see Figure C.4-6) is divided into 4 stages, namely:
· Zinc removal.
· Rinsing I (Elution 1).
· Stripping and regenerating.
· Rinsing II.
Pickling acid is pumped out of the bath through a plate-filter to remove any solid particles. The
clear liquid then flows through the column. In the column, zinc is removed from the pickling
acid and absorbed by the ion-exchange material. After leaving the column, the zinc-free liquid
is pumped back into the pickling bath. Thus the system recycles the acid. However, the acid
does not necessarily have to be recirculated and can be processed and then stored in a vessel
(once-through process) or pumped out into another vessel, run through the column and stored in
a third tank (batch process). In the second stage, after the ion-exchange material becomes
saturated with zinc, the column has to be rinsed to remove the pickling acid.

Part C/Chapter 4
Figure C.4-6: Flow chart for removal of zinc from pickling baths
[Sprang-IG-97]
In the second stage, after the ion-exchange material becomes saturated with zinc, the column
has to be washed to remove the pickling acid. The wash is then pumped out of the stock vessel,
through the column, and into a separate storage vessel. The solution thus obtained is an HCI
solution that can be used to modify the strength of the pickling bath. In the third stage, the ion-
exchange material is stripped with an alkaline solution in order to remove the zinc. If second
stage rinsing does not take place, iron hydroxide is precipitated, interfering with the process.
The stripping solution is used several times before it becomes concentrated. When the stripping
solution has reached saturation it can be used to modify the composition of the flux bath. The
stripping solution contains only ZnCl2 and NH4Cl. After the ion-exchange material has been
stripped and regenerated, the last remains of the solution must be removed. This is done in the
fourth stage by rinsing with tap water. If this were not done, the pickling acid would become
polluted with NH4+ and, although solving the initial problem of zinc contamination, would
create a new one (NH4+ pollution).

· Reduced waste.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:

Part C/Chapter 4
Economics: It was commented that this technique requires considerable capital costs and
running costs and that scales of economy are a critical factor and may not be achievable with
many typical size general galvanizing sites. [Com2 UK Galv]

C.4.3.10 Treatment of Waste Acid by Neutralisation
Description: No information submitted.

· Neutral sludge instead of acidic waste liquid.
Applicability:
· Large amounts of non-recyclable mixed zinc and iron hydroxide sludges [Com2 D].
· No recovery or regeneration of acid, fresh acid requirement.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.3.11 Acid Bath Operation Range
Description: see Chapter D56.1

· Reduction of air emissions, especially acid fumes.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.3.12 Capture of Emissions from Pickling and Abatement
Description: see Chapter D.5.2 and D.5.3

Capturing the emissions by roof extraction, wall exhaust, lip extraction to lateral hoods in
combination with plate or packed scrubbers. Scrubbing liquid can be recirculated to the pickling
tank.

Part C/Chapter 4

· Reduction of air emissions, especially acid fumes
Applicability:
· New installations.
· Existing installations with some limitations due to space.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Scrubbers can achieve HCl emission levels of below 10 mg/m3.
Economics:
C.4.3.13 Enclosed Pre-treatment Section (Degrease/Pickling)/Air

Extraction and Abatement

· Reduction of air emissions, namely acid fumes and degreasing vapour.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.4 Rinsing
C.4.4.1 Installation of Rinsing Bath/ Static Rinse Tank
Description:
After pickling, the steel items are rinsed in a static rinse tank (they same procedure can be
applied after degreasing). When the water becomes too contaminated to secure efficient rinsing,
the water is reused in the preceding process bath as make-up water for evaporation losses and
drag-out. With the proper design and operational practice all rinsing water can be used the
galvanizing plant.

· Waste water –free operation.

Part C/Chapter 4
Applicability:
· New plants.
· Existing plants provided that space for rinsing tanks is available.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.4.2 Rinsing Cascade
Description:
Counter-current rinsing (see below for description of example)

· Reduces pollution of the fluxing bath [DK-EPA-93].
· Waste water-free operation.
Applicability:
· Existing if space is available (due to requirement of more than 1 additional tank, very
limited).
Reference plants:
Herning Varmforzinkning A/S, (period of experience: 1.5 years) [DK-EPA-93]
Operational data:
Example Herning Varmforzinkning:

3-step closed rinsing system after pickling
At Herning Varmforzinkning they have started using 3 rinsing tanks without outlet after the
pickling process. Here the pollution of the fluxing bath is reduced by 85 - 90 % resulting in
longer life of the fluxing bath and less fluxing waste. The rinsing tanks are used for diluting
new pickling baths by which procedure the 3 rinsing tanks are evenly diluted. The first tank is
used for diluting the pickling bath, after which the first tank is then diluted with water from the
second tank, which again is diluted with water from the third tank, which is diluted with tap
water. [DK-EPA-93]

Part C/Chapter 4
Products in
2 pickling degreasers Topping up

6 pickling baths
Topping up 1st economy rinsing
2nd economy rinsing Topping up

Tap water 3rd economy rinsing
Fluxing bath
Zinc melt
Products out
Figure C.4-7: Cascade rinsing installed in galvanizing plant

[DK-EPA-93]
All items are pickled for a minimum of 10 minutes in a so-called pickle-degreaser acting as
degreaser and pickler at the same time. It is a 10 % hydrochloric acid with degreasing
chemicals admixed to it. After this they pickle for somewhat longer in a purer hydrochloric
acid. After the final pickling they rinse in three consecutive economy rinses after which the
items are immersed in the fluxing bath and finally the zinc melt. [DK-EPA-93]
There are 2 pickling degreasers of 23 m3 in which the liquid is changed when iron content has
reached 129 g/1, which takes about 6 months. Then a new pickling degreaser batch is mixed
from 12 - 15 m3 of water from the 1st economy rinse and 8 - 11 m3 30 % hydrochloric acid.
[DK-EPA-93]
There are 6 tanks of 23 m3 of pure hydrochloric acid pickling liquid with approx. 10 % free
acid. These pickling baths are not changed until the iron content reaches more than 100 g/1,
which has not happened yet (the system was introduced on December 1st, 1991). These
pickling baths have a somewhat longer life than the pickling degreasers, because coarse pickling
takes place in the pickling degreasers which are soon saturated with iron. The clean pickling
baths are expected to have a service life of 1.5 - 2.0 years. New pickling baths are started with
half economy rinse and half 30 % hydrochloric acid. [DK-EPA-93]
The following average iron values have been measured in pickling baths, rinsing tanks and
fluxing baths: [DK-EPA-93]
· Pickling bath: Iron = 75 - 85 g/l

· 1st economy rinse: Iron = 40 - 50 g/1
· 2nd economy rinse: Iron = 25 - 35 g/1
· 3rd economy rinse: Iron = approx. 10 g/1
· Fluxing bath: Iron = approx. 5 g/1
When the iron concentration in the fluxing bath reaches 10 g/l the bath is discharged into a road
tanker and brought to the Vildbjerg factory where they have a purification and regeneration
system for fluxing baths. The road tanker returns with 23 m3 of purified fluxing bath so that
production can immediately be continued at the Herning factory. [DK-EPA-93]

Part C/Chapter 4
From the beginning the company had hoped that the clean pickling baths could be kept free of
zinc, but this has proved impossible in practice. The zinc content in the pickling degreaser is so
high that the carry-over to the clean pickling baths results in considerable zinc pollution in these
pickling baths. [DK-EPA-93]
Economics:
At the Herning plant the system requires 3 rinsing tanks of 23 m3 as opposed to going direct
from the pickling bath to the fluxing bath. The advantage is that the fluxing bath does not get
polluted nearly as soon. The fluxing bath is purified in their own fluxing bath purification plant
at the company's other factory at nearby Vildbjerg. It is difficult to quantify the savings
achieved. [DK-EPA-93]

C.4.5 Fluxing
C.4.5.1 Bath Maintenance
Description:
To make up for entrainment losses and to keep the concentration of flux baths constant, flux
agents and water are added on a regular basis. To prevent carry-over of iron chlorides from
pickling baths, the pickled workpieces should be rinsed thoroughly before fluxing. Close
monitoring of the iron content is necessary. Nevertheless, a build-up of iron chloride cannot be
prevented completely, so that the flux solution has to be exchanged or regenerated periodically.

· Reduction of waste, avoids premature discarding of flux baths.
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.5.2 Iron Removal from Flux Baths by Aerating and Precipitation of Iron
Description:
The flux solution is aerated to assist iron precipitation and then the solution is decanted in order
to remove the resulting sludge from the bottom of the tank. This operation has the advantage of
reducing iron levels, albeit not to very low levels. [Com2 Wedge]

Applicability:

Part C/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.5.3 Iron Removal from Flux Baths Using H2O2 for Oxidation
Description: see Chapters D.7.1.1

· Reduction of waste (spent flux).
Applicability:
· New plants.
· Existing provided space is available.
· Generation of iron hydroxide sludge (60 % water, 6.5 % zinc, 20 % iron) requiring disposal.
Reference plants: CM Jernvarer A/S, (period of experience: 0.5 year) [DK-EPA-93]
Operational data:
Example CM Jernvarer AIS:

CM Jernvarer AIS has established a regeneration system for their fluxing bath enabling them
continuously to remove iron pollution from their bath. In the purifying process the admired
hydrochloric acid is neutralised, thus generating ammonium chloride which is one of the two
components of the bath. Optimum composition of the fluxing bath is maintained by dosing
extra zinc chloride and ammonium chloride calculated on the basis of routine chemical
analyses. [DK-EPA-93]
The system has been designed for continuous purification of the fluxing bath, and about 5000
litres are purified daily. With this capacity, the system is actually capable of purifying a fluxing
bath being polluted by iron corresponding to a production of at least 10000 tonnes of products
per year. The bath is pumped through a reactor to which hydrogen peroxide and ammonia
water are dosed by a redox and pH controller. The iron is oxidized and precipitated as iron
hydroxide sludge. The sludgy fluxing bath is collected in a sludge thickener where the sludge is
separated. The sludge is then de-watered in a filter press, the filtrate and decanting water from
the thickener being collected in a storage tank from where it is reused in the fluxing bath.
Discarded fluxing bath with a high iron content may also be purified by the system. It is either
fed slowly together with the lightly polluted fluxing liquid from the fluxing tank or it may
purified separately by several successive treatments. Discarded stripping acid may be treated
too. In this case a reduced dose is required to avoid getting too high sludge concentrations in
the liquid. The stripping acid contains great volumes of zinc chloride which are admixed to the
fluxing bath in this process. However, since a certain ratio between ammonium chloride and
zinc chloride has to be maintained in the fluxing bath, there is an upper limit to the volume of
stripping acid that may be taken into the system if the zinc chloride concentration is to be kept
at the optimum value. [DK-EPA-93]
In the purification of old fluxing baths no ammonium water was dosed because the pH value
remained at the desired value of 4.5. Normally the consumption of ammonia is 2.4 g 25 %
ammonium water per g of iron II (dissolved iron). This corresponds to an expected
consumption of 1800 kg of ammonium water for the regeneration of fluxing baths of 50 m3.

Part C/Chapter 4
There were no major problems during the running-in period, and after some minor adjustments
the system is today running as planned with minimum time spent on operation and maintenance.
After purification of the old fluxing baths the system is today linked to the fluxing bath used in
the production so that they are continuously keeping the iron concentration as low as possible.
They have not yet started on treating discarded stripping acid in the system. [DK-EPA-93]
Economics:
The system has cost DKK 310000 including equipment, installation, commissioning, and
consulting, but exclusive of two storage tanks for purified and non-purified fluxing bath. The
system is located in existing buildings. During the first 3 months 50 m3 of old fluxing bath with
a high content of iron (14 - 15 g/1) have been purified. The costs have been:
270 l of 35 % hydrogen peroxide at DKK 7.00 DKK 1890

4 tonnes of filter cake at DKK 1500 DKK 6000
Electricity DKK 1000
Total DKK 8890
Direct savings compared with shipping to Kommunekemi:
50 m3 of old fluxing bath to Kommunekemi DKK 75000

Fluxing chemicals: 20 tonnes at DKK 8800 DKK 176000
Total DKK 251000
In practice, the savings amounted to about DKK 100000 only, because the plant would have
cleaned the fluxing bath manually, if they had not had a regeneration system. When cleaning
manually they only ship the bottom sludge to Kommunekemi. There will also be very great
indirect savings which are difficult to quantify. The consumption of zinc will drop substantially
(5 – 10 %) when a fluxing bath with a low iron content is used, and the production of hard zinc
and zinc ash will be reduced too. The payback period is probably less than 1 year.
[DK-EPA-93]
Example Galva 45:

Results (January-April 1993) of the flux regeneration process in operation at Galva 45, France
are shown below:
First line New automated line

(7m bath) (3.5m bath)
Total salt content (g/l) 461 450
ZnCl2% - NH4Cl% 55 - 45 57 - 43
Temperature (ºC) 46 50
Fe (g/l) 0.9 0.38
ZnCl2 or NH4Cl addition 0
Advantages in purifying fluxing baths

- Quality improvement: by maintaining acid and iron in the flux at very low levels (below 1
g/l), there would be a sharp reduction in dross formation and, consequently, fewer coating
defects due to dross inclusion in the zinc. The zinc coating would have a more regular
thickness and hence a shiny appearance. The reduction in the number of workpieces with
surface defects would lead to a reduction in the workpieces having to be recycled.
- Reduction in zinc consumption: there would be reductions in zinc pick-up and of ash and
dross formation, leading to valuable reductions in total zinc consumption.

Part C/Chapter 4
- Increased internal profitability, thanks to the flux production and the reduction of effluent
solution, which compensated for reagent costs and for iron solid residue disposal costs.
Direct savings were approximately 1.7 ECU per tonne of galvanized workpieces.
- Ecological process: there was a marked reduction in residue production since the tonnage of
effluent solutions used to produce the flux was higher than the production of the new iron
solid residue.
Economics:
Operating costs might change from one plant to another. They also depend on the production
level of each galvanizing plant and especially on the chemical composition of the pickling and
rinsing solutions, the temperature and required composition of the fluxing bath. Nevertheless,
the estimated benefits which would be expected using flux regeneration in a conventional
galvanizing plant are shown in Table C.4-1.
The savings due to production of flux salts, reduction of zinc consumption and of workpieces
for recycling and to suppression of spoiled fluxing bath treatment cost is estimated at 13.79
ECU per tonne galvanized. With an estimated labour cost of 0.74 ECU/ton, the net profit would
be about 13.0 ECU/tonne. For a galvanizing plant that produced 20000 tonnes a year, the
estimated annual saving would be 261000 ECU.
Unit Specific consumption Specific saving (+) Specific saving (+)

or production or cost (-) or cost H
(unit/tonne Fe) (ECU/unit) (ECU/tonne Fe)
Consumptions
NH4OH l 0.920 -0.183 -0.168
H2O2 l 0.345 -0.731 -0.252
Dross kg 0.310 -0.519 -0.161
Spent pickling
solution kg 8.330 +0.094 +0.783
Productions
Flux kg 1800 +0.926 +1.667
Fe filtration cake kg 0.770 -0.192 -0.148
TOTAL +1.721
Note: Source of data. These figures are based on January to April 1993 operation data for the Galva 45 galvanizing
line. The specific consumption/production figures as reagent costs may change somewhat from plant to plant
Table C.4-1: Typical specific consumption/production and cost/saving for a flux regeneration
The savings in spent pickle solution disposal cost used for this calculation take into account a
temporary 30 % French authority subsidy. In normal conditions, without subsidy, the savings
would be higher.

Part C/Chapter 4
Savings ECU/tonne
(1) Flux salts production including reagent cost and effluent reduction 1.72
(2) Zinc consumption reduction 9.11
(3) Reduction in regalvanizing of workpieces 2.28
(4) Suppression of spoiled fluxing bath treatment cost 0.68
TOTAL: 13.79
Costs:
(5) Labour 0.74
Net Profit 13.05
Note: Source of data [PURIFLUX]. The savings are estimated values to be expected by the introduction of the
regeneration process in a conventional 20000 tonnes/year galvanizing plant. They will vary from one plant to
another.
Table C.4-2: Summary of savings and costs

C.4.5.4 Iron Removal from Flux Baths Using Electrolytic Oxidation

Applicability:
· New plants.
· Existing provided space is available.
Reference plants:

Example Industrial Galvanizers Corporation:
The galvanizing plant is processing 10000 - 12000 tonnes per year of general work which
includes a reasonable proportion of tube and manufactured products. The average steel section
thickness processed by this plant is approximately 3mm. [CEPT]
The three identifiable plant operating costs associated with iron contamination of flux are:
effluent disposal, zinc usage cost and chemical usage cost. The costs will vary from plant to
plant and vary within a plant depending on the method used to control the composition of the
preflux solution. In the case studied, a rinse system was used to avoid carry-over of acid and
iron into the preflux solution. [CEPT]
An examination of the operating costs of the plant before and after introduction of regeneration
has shown the following cost savings:
Effluent disposal 20.2 %

Dross production 27.6 %
Chemicals 10.5 %
Ash production 39.0 %
Zinc 10.4 % [CEPT]

Part C/Chapter 4
Advantages:
- Eliminating the need for rinse overflow or rinse treatment.
- Minimizing the sludge for disposal from conventional flux treatment.
Savings have far exceeded our expectations. These savings were in effluent disposal, zinc
usage and chemicals usage and, in this case study, exceeded A$12.50 per tonne of dipped steel.
The original cost benefit analysis, on which the units were justified, predicted pay-back periods
of 12 to 24 months. In operation, this prediction has been significantly bettered and recovery of
capital expenditure was achieved in 6 to 9 months. [CEPT]
It is believed that the additional savings have been a result of improvements in plant
management that were not included in the original estimation, but have been achieved through
greater attention to detail in work practice. This greater attention to detail has been a direct
result of the implementation of the technology. The regeneration system, together with
monitoring of the condition of the preflux bath, has thus proven to be a very useful management
tool for monitoring metal preparation line performance. [CEPT]
Disadvantages:
It was commented that the system requires considerable operator input, and that problems of
sourcing spare parts (from Australia) have been reported. [Com2 EGGA]

C.4.5.5 Iron Removal from Flux Baths Using Ion Exchange Columns

Applicability:
· New plants.
· Existing, provided space is available.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Example Dutch plant

Advantages:
• Decrease in zinc pick-up from 9.5 to < 7 %.

• Higher production rate - increase of over 10 %.
• Lower production of zinc ash.
• Lower production of fume.
• Lower dross production from 8 t/2 wks to 2 t/6 wks.
• Higher quality product [Sprang-IG-97].

Part C/Chapter 4
C.4.5.6 Reuse/Regeneration of Spent Flux Baths (off-site)

Spent flux baths are sent off-site, usually to flux agent producers, for re-cycling. The salts in the
spent flux solution can be re-used for flux agent production.

Applicability:
Reference plants: Th. Goldschmidt, Germany
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.6 Hot Dipping
C.4.6.1 Enclosed Galvanizing Pot
Description:
Enclosures in combination with scrubbers or fabric filters.
Figure C.4-8 and Figure C.4-9 show some examples of enclosure designs.
Figure C.4-8: Stationary enclosure

[Galva-94-1]

Part C/Chapter 4
Figure C.4-9: Moveable enclosure with vertical moving side walls

[Galva-94-1]

· Reduction of fugitive air emissions (reported 95 – 98 % capture of dust and other emissions
[Com2 B]).
· Reduction of squirts.
· Energy savings due to reduced surface heat loss from the galvanizing bath. [Com2 EGGA].
Applicability:
· Loading in longitudinal direction of bath.
· Energy consumption (electrical energy is used for extraction fans, filter cleaning and
possibly filter heating), but compared to other suction systems weaker suction is required
(meaning less energy is needed). [Com2 B].
· Wet scrubbers: generate waste water, requiring treatment, less recycling potential than for
dry filter dust.
Reference plants: Verzinkerei Rhein-Main GmbH, Groß-Rohrheim, Germany
Operational data:
Table C.4-3 compares examples of particulates and fume from galvanizing kettles for different
abatement techniques.

Part C/Chapter 4
Component Emission [mg/m3] Emission [mg/m3] Emission [mg/m3]

No abatement Wet scrubber (1,2) Bag filter (3)
Dust 20 < 1.7 4.2 - 4.6
Zinc 2.3 0.11 - 0.38 0.49 - 0.52
ZnCl n.a. 0.16 - 0.34 n.a.
NH4Cl 7.4 0.02 - 0.05 n.a.
NH3 2.6 n.a n.a.
HCl 23 n.a. n.a.
Note: Source of data [Dan-EPA]
1
Volume flow = 39500 m3
2
Pb-content: 0.005 - 0.007 mg/m3
Cd-content: < 0.0002 mg/m3
3
Volume flow = 13400 m3
Table C.4-3: Concentrations in emissions from galvanizing kettles
Example Verzinkerei Rhein-Main GmbH
Operational data:
Component Emission1) in mg/m3

Dust <1
Zinc 0.03
ZnCl 0.1
NH4Cl 32
HCl < 10
Note: Source of data [UBA-Hoesch-87]; volume flow = 23400 m3/h; removal system: fabric filter
1) Mean values from 8 individual measurements; average measuring period 32 minutes, calculated as absolute
period of immersion with 5 to 8 dipping operations each
Table C.4-4: Concentrations in emissions from galvanizing kettles
Economics:
At Verzinkerei Rhein-Main, investment costs of DM 1634167 and operating costs of DM
309000 were incurred in 1985 for enclosure in combination with a fabric filter. The operating
costs include DM 259000 for service of capital [UBA-Hoesch-87].
Other sources reported dust emissions from hot dipping of 1 – 3 mg/m3 using fabric filters.
[Flatt/Knupp]
Economics:
C.4.6.2 Lip-extraction at Galvanizing Pots
Description:
Lip-extraction in combination with scrubbers or fabric filters.

Part C/Chapter 4
Figure C.4-10: Bilateral peripheral exhaust with auxiliaries

[Galva-94-1]
Applicability:
· Energy consumption (electrical energy is used for extraction fans, filter cleaning, and
possibly filter heating).
· Wet scrubbers: generate waste water, requiring treatment, less recycling potential as for dry
filter dust.
Reference plants: Fa. Wilhelm Hähn, Kreuztal-Ferndorf, Germany
Operational data:
Example Wilhelm Hähn, Germany
Table C.4-5 gives some examples of emissions from a galvanizing kettle under different
conditions.
Point of As3+ Cd3+ Pb2+ Zn2+ NH4+ Cl- Dust

measurement mg/m3]
[m mg/m3]
[m mg/m3]
[m [mg/m3] [mg/m3] [mg/m3] [mg/m3]
Above zinc
surface without 106.9 117.2 125.3 44.5 197.9 14.3 384.6
air extraction
Above zinc
surface with air 1.4 2.9 53.1 0.9 0.2 1.2 0.5
extraction
Crude gas 3.6 5.1 49.0 6.2 17.5 7.4 24.1
Cleaned gas 0.1 0.1 1.8 0.017 9.0 2.7 0.1
Note: Source of data [UBA-Hähn-83]
Based on case study: lip extraction, 3380 m3/m2. h = 32958 m3/h, abatement: bag filter
Table C.4-5: Examples for emissions from a galvanizing kettle

Part C/Chapter 4
The emissions data are mean values from six individual measurements with an average
measuring period of 18 minutes, calculated as absolute immersion period with 2 – 4 dipping
operations each. Repeat measurements conducted in 1996 confirm these data and showed the
following results: dust <0.13 mg/m3 and HCl 0.9 mg/m3. These values are mean values from 4
individual measurements with an average measuring period of 28 minutes, calculated as
absolute immersion period with 3 - 4 dipping operations each.
Fabric filters show reduction efficiencies of 99.6 %.
Economics:
The burden on the product due strictly to pollution abatement measures, such as venting during
degreasing, hot rinsing, flux bath and zinc bath as well as fabric filter for dust removal,
averaged DM 32/t product in 1983. [UBA-Hähn-83]

C.4.6.3 Smoke-reduced Flux Agent
Description:
In smoke-reduced flux agents, ammonia chloride is partly substituted by other alkali chlorides
(e.g. potassium chloride).

· Reduced hard zinc.
Table C.4-6 compares the shares of flux agents emitted, remaining on coated workpieces and
contained in zinc ash for common ammonia chloride flux and potassium chloride flux.
Flux agent Emission Work piece Zinc ash

ZnCl2: 89 %
NH4Cl: 11 % 33 % 2% 65 %
Salt content: 170 g/l
ZnCl2: 32 %
KCl: 68 % 19 % 1% 80 %
Salt content: 170 g/l
Table C.4-6: Emission comparison of normal and smoke-reduced flux agents
Applicability:
· New and existing.
· Zinc ash may be increased (reported by some sources).
· Smoke reduced fluxes produce less visible fume but fumes of visibility is a function of
particle size there is a potential for smaller size therefore less visible airborne particulate
therefore greater possibility for adverse health effect of respirable dust. [Com2 UK Galv].
Results from recent investigations, however state: no health concerns between the different
flux types and no concerns over the size of the airborne particulate. [Piat 19.9]

Part C/Chapter 4
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Flux agents based on zinc chloride/alkali chloride do not result in an additional pickling effect
during hot dipping and therefore do not dissolve more iron. This reduces the generation of hard
zinc on one hand, but also requires optimum pickling in the pre-treatment section to achieve
high quality coatings. [ABAG]
Economics:
C.4.6.4 Reuse of Filter Dust
Description:
Precipitated dust from bag filters consist basically of ammonia chloride and zinc chloride (flux
agent). The dust is collected, packed in bags and periodically sent for recycling to flux agent
producers. Recycling might be limited by oil and grease content (less than 3 % is required) or
by dioxin content.

Applicability:
· New and existing plants with fabric filters.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.6.5 Reducing the Generation of Hard Zinc
Description:
The following measures reduce the generation of hard zinc:
- Sufficient rinsing following pickling.
- Continuous regeneration of the flux bath.
- Use of fluxing agents low in ammonium chloride which have a low pickling effect (removal
of iron).
- Avoiding local overheating in the externally heated galvanizing kettles (reaction with the
boiler walls) [Com D], [Com2 EGGA].

- Less waste, more efficient use of raw material (no need to recycle hard zinc).
Applicability:
- New and existing plants.
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part C/Chapter 4

C.4.6.6 Reducing the Generation of Splashes
Description:
The following measures reduce the generation of splashes:
- Sufficient drying after the flux bath.
- Areas surrounding the galvanizing kettles must be kept clean to obtain recoverable zinc
containing a minimum of impurities. [Com D].

- Less waste, more efficient use of raw material (no need to recycle splashes for zinc
recovery).
Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:
C.4.6.7 Reuse of Zinc Ash
Description:
Zinc grains can be melted from the zinc ash and recycled back to the galvanizing pot. The
reduction grade is 60 – 70 %. The remaining zinc oxide ash is refined further in specialised
industry. [Com FIN]
- Special melting pots are used to collect the zinc ash.
- Melting pot is put to the Zinkof-furnace, in which zinc ash is melted at temperature of about
520 0C with a rotating movement. The molten zinc (60 - 65 wt-%) is returned to the molten
zinc kettle. The remaining oxide zinc ash is ground and sold to the secondary zinc industry.

- Reduced waste.
Applicability:
Reference plants: four galvanizing plants in Finland, for example KS-Sinkki Oy, Lievestuore,
Finland [Com2 FIN]
Operational data:
With described technique recycled zinc amount is 11.5 kg/t of galvanized steel. Price of the
equipment is about 200 000 FIM. In addition to that, grinding equipment for grinding zinc ash
also has to be provided and it costs about 60 000 FIM. Net profit, when all the costs, except
investment costs, are included, is about 2.20 – 2.80 FIM/kg recycled Zn depending upon the
market price of zinc.

Part C/Chapter 4
Economics:
C.4.6.8 Heat Recovery from Galvanising Kettle Heating
Description:
Galvanizing kettles may be fired either by gaseous or liquid fuels. The method most commonly
used for heat recovery from combustion gas is transfer to air or water. Heat exchangers typically
fabricated from banks of stainless steel tubes are used to recover heat from flue gas to air. The
flue products are normally on the tube side. Flue products may be introduced at 500 to 700o C
when the furnace is operating at full production rate. The heat exchanger may be placed directly
in the furnace flue duct but, in the absence of forced extraction of flue gases, only a small flue
gas pressure drop can be tolerated. This limits the rate of heat transfer.
Shell and tube heat exchangers can be used to transfer heat from flue products to water or
steam, with flue gas on the shell side. Another common type of exchanger is a bank of finned
tubes placed in the flue duct. In this case water is on the tube side.
Gases may be drawn through the heat exchanger using a fan downstream of the exchanger in
order to increase the overall coefficient. This is a common arrangement for gas-to-water heat
exchange. Both heat exchanger and fan are located in a branch parallel to the main flue duct,
thus avoiding any back-pressure effect on the furnace. The fan consumes a small amount of
power.
In a few cases flue gases are contacted directly with the outer surface of a pre-treatment tank,
transferring heat by radiation and convection.
Heat exchangers for oil fuels and for surface heated baths require special design due to the
presence of SO2 and ash in the flue gases. [Com2 EGGA]

· Reduced fuel consumption.
Application:
· New and existing plants
· In principle, can be applied to any installation subject to economic analysis, which depends
on fuel price, thermal rating of furnace and demand for waste heat.
· not normally interesting on two burner systems (small kettles) because there is not
enough heat available to be useful. Heat recovery systems are very frequently
installed on four and six burner systems.
Cross media effects:.

Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics: Energy reductions in the range 15 – 45 kWh/t black steel.
Driving force for implementation: Fuel costs.
Reference literature: Trade literature.

Part C/Chapter 4
C.4.6.9 Efficiency of Furnace Heating/Control
Description:
Furnace heating efficiency should be considered in two parts. They are firstly the efficiency
with which heat is transferred from the prime heat source to the galvanizing bath and, secondly,
the efficiency with which the transferred heat is employed in maintaining the zinc temperature.
The efficiency of heat transfer to the kettle is governed by basic principles of heat transfer and
combustion engineering. Combustion of gases and oils results in a flow of flue gas products
which carries away sensible and latent heat. This amounts typically to 45 – 55 % of the gross
calorific input of the fuel at maximum input. A small amount of electrical energy is used to
drive the combustion air fan, and the pump or compressor used in oil heating. Use of electricity
for heating involves energy loss owing to reactance effects and often also to cooling of
temperature-sensitive parts of the heating system. Losses may be around 15 % of the metered
power. For all energy sources, there is additional heat loss from the furnace case, although for a
well-insulated furnace this is small, typically 2 % of the energy input. All losses in this category
increase as the heat input increases.
Losses from the system are also due to radiation and convection from the molten metal surface
and from exposed parts of the top of the bath, such as the top flange on a steel kettle. The extent
of these losses depends on the surface areas, conditions and temperatures, but is typically 15 to
25 % of the heat originally transferred to the bath.
Flue gas heat losses may be reduced by optimizing the combustion process, by optimizing
excess air for combustion and by reducing air ingress to the furnace casing. The low
temperature operation of the galvanizing process implies that there are limited opportunities for
energy saving by reduction of losses. The burner system must be capable of accommodating a
turn down ratio of approximately 15:1.
Surface losses may be reduced during working (subject to adequate ventilation) by use of an
enclosure over the bath, or limiting the open part of the surface to that required for the type of
galvanizing in progress. When the kettle is on hot standby, reductions in heat loss can be
obtained by the use of insulated covers which extend over the furnace top. Reducing the bath
temperature during hot standby periods rarely saves significant amounts of energy and, with
steel kettles, cycling of the bath temperature adversely affects the protective zinc-iron alloy,
thus reducing the kettle’s working life.
Furnace efficiency is also affected by the control system. Higher efficiencies are obtained with
control systems which most closely match the heat input to the heat demand. Determination of
heat input is based on the molten zinc temperature, measured by thermocouples either immersed
in the zinc or – for steel kettles – possibly by contact with the external kettle wall. Depending
on the flexibility of the heating system the controller often uses PID (Proportional, Integral,
Derivative) or other control logic to keep the zinc temperature as constant as possible.
Combustion systems include High/Low (either maximum or minimum heat is delivered for a
period), Modulating (the heat input varies constantly over a range between maximum and
minimum), or Pulsing (a continual succession of maximum and minimum heat inputs is
delivered equating to a net intermediate heat input).

Applicability:
Reference plants:
Operational data:
Economics:

Part C/Chapter 4

C.4.6.10 Capture/Treatment of Emissions from Tube Finishing

Operations

Part C/Chapter 5
C.5. BEST AVAILABLE TECHNIQUES FOR BATCH

GALVANIZING
· Identification of the key environmental issues of batch galvanising. Among the important
issues are: emissions to air (HCl from pickling and dust and gaseous compounds from the
kettle); spent process solutions (degreasing solutions, pickling baths and flux baths); oily
wastes (e.g. from cleaning of degreasing baths) and zinc-containing residues (filter dust,
zinc ash, hard zinc).
techniques.
presented here.

Part C/Chapter 5
each case.
from batch galvanising. Where possible, the structure follows the logic of the production line
and identifies BAT for individual processing stages. However, some measures, especially
emission levels, efficiencies or recirculation rates are given an indication of the improvement
that can be expected by implementation of the techniques. For a number of techniques, the
and dry gas.
For degreasing operations in batch galvanising plants, the following techniques are considered
BAT:
· Installation of a degreasing step, unless items are totally grease-free which is rarely the case
in job galvanizing.
· Optimum bath operation to enhance efficiency, e.g. by agitation.
· Cleaning of degreasing solutions to extend lifetime (by skimming, centrifuge, etc.) and
recirculation; reuse of oily sludge, e.g. thermally.
or
· 'Biological degreasing' with in situ cleaning (grease and oil removal from degreaser
solution) by bacteria.
A primary measure to minimize environmental impact from pickling and stripping is to

operate both in separate treatment vessels, since ‘mixed acids’ (with both high iron and zinc

Part C/Chapter 5
contents) cause problems in regeneration or reuse. As long as there are no suitable treatment
options for mixed acid, separate pickling and stripping and reuse of spent stripping liquor
(external or internal e.g. to recover fluxing agent) are considered to be BAT for new and
existing plants.
If separation of pickling and stripping is not possible, e.g. when there is insufficient space to
install additional pickling/stripping tanks, external reuse of the mixed acids for flux production
is considered BAT.
One central treatment plant for spent mixed pickle liquors using solvent-extraction and one
galvanizing plant operating this process have been reported (see Chapter C.4.3.8). Where such
(external) treatment plants are available, recovery of HCl from spent mixed pickle liquors using
solvent-extraction may be considered a viable alternative to fluxing agent recovery (see above).
For HCl pickling the following techniques are considered to be BAT to reduce environmental
impacts:
· Close monitoring of bath temperature and concentration parameters: and operating within
the limits given in Part D/Chapter D.6.1 ‘Open Pickling Bath Operation’.
· If operation outside the operational range given in D.6.1 is desired, e.g. if heated or higher
concentrated HCl-baths are used, installation of an extraction unit and treatment of the
extraction air (e.g. by scrubbing) are considered BAT. The associated HCl emission level is
2 – 30 mg/Nm³.
· Special attention to the actual pickling effect of the bath and use of pickling inhibitors to
avoid over-pickling.
· Recovery of free-acid fraction from spent pickle liquor.
or
· External regeneration of pickling liquor.
· Zn removal from acid.

· Use of spent pickle liquor for flux production.
Neutralisation of spent pickle liquor and the use of spent pickling liquor for emulsion splitting
are not considered BAT.
Generally, good drainage between pre-treatment tanks is advocated. Furthermore, rinsing after
degreasing and after pickling to avoid carry-over into subsequent process baths and thus to
prolong the lifetime of these baths is essential. BAT is:
· Static rinsing or rinsing cascades.
· Reuse of rinse water to replenish preceding process baths.
· Waste water-free-operation (waste water may be generated in exceptional cases, in which
waste water treatment is then required).
For fluxing, control of bath parameters and the optimized amount of flux used are important to
reduce emission further down the process line as well. For the flux bath itself, side-stream
regeneration of the solution (using e.g. H2O2, electrolytic oxidation or ion exchange) or, if
installation of a regeneration unit is not possible, regeneration by externals is possible. Both
internal and external flux bath regeneration are considered BAT.
The main problem arising from hot dipping is air emissions resulting from reaction of the flux
agent during dipping. The following techniques are considered to be BAT:

Part C/Chapter 5
· Capture of emissions from hot dipping by enclosure of the pot or by lip extraction followed
by dust abatement (e.g by fabric filters or wet scrubbers). The dust level associated with
these techniques is < 5 mg/Nm³.
· Internal or external reuse of collected dust for flux production. As this dust may
occasionally contain dioxins at low concentration due to upset conditions in the plant (badly
degreased items being galvanised), only recovery processes yielding fluxing agents free of
dioxins are BAT.
Although the opportunities for energy saving by heat transfer from flue gases from the
galvanizing kettles are limited due to low volumes and relatively low temperatures (450oC), it is
good practice to recover heat from this source either to hot water used elsewhere in the plant or
to air for drying.
For all Zn-containing wastes (dross, hard zinc, and splashes/squirts), separate storage and
protection from rain and wind, and reuse in the non-ferrous metals industry or other sectors to
recover the valuable substances they contain are considered to be BAT.

Part C/Chapter 6
C.6. EMERGING TECHNIQUES FOR BATCH GALVANIZING
The process of galvanizing requires steel articles to be exposed to liquid zinc for sufficient time
for the zinc and steel to react to form the galvanized coating. The thickness and nature of the
coating are controlled by European standard. In recent years the quality of assets in the industry
has improved markedly, but the fundamental nature of the process has not changed due to the
limitations imposed by the need to expose heavy steel items to liquid zinc. There is, therefore,
no emerging technique which is based on fundamentally different principles.
However, substantial efforts have been made, and continue to be made, to improve performance
in the control of emissions to water and air.
The separation of Zn and Fe from mixed content pickle liquors has been a subject of interest for
some time. Several processes have been developed and reported in the open literature. These
techniques meet the requirements of BAT insofar as they maximise the recovery and recycling
of contained values while continuing to limit emissions. Overall, the water balance of the
galvanizing process is such that substantial make-up is required. In all cases reviewed by
EGGA aqueous blow-down is recycled internally as part of make-up water. Build-up of
unwanted constituents does not appear to be a difficulty. A variety of BAT-compliant processes
is likely to emerge in the near to medium term future.
Similarly, investigations into the reduction of fume emissions at source, either by the use of low
fume fluxes based on current fluxes or by the use of novel fluxing systems, are under way. The
promised benefit of fume reduction at source is the possible substitution of the fabric filter by a
simpler device such as a drop-out box with significant reduction in pressure drop and thus
power requirement. These investigations are recent and reported in the open literature only to a
limited extent. Early indications are that the technique produces a low but, nevertheless, slightly
higher particulate emission than the standard flux / fabric filter system, but requires
significantly less power. It is possible that judgement about the balance of on-site particulate
emissions and power plant greenhouse gas emissions will be such that the technique could be
regarded as BAT compliant. [EGGA 7/00]
Developments on a novel flux formulation (thermaflux, US patent) which calim a reduction of

lead content in the galvanizing bath and reduction of metal spatting during dipping, were
reported. Technical feasibility has still to be proofed; no application of this technique in batch
galvanizing is known.

Part C/Chapter 7
C.7. CONCLUDING REMARKS
Timing of work

· Final draft


Part C/Chapter 7
Level of consensus
measures as BAT.


should be provided . Some of the techniques concerned are the following:
Part A:

Part C/Chapter 7
Part C:
Part D:
in the BREF. Especially, those parties advocatingthe lower level of 5 mg/Nm³ should seek to
be made.

PART D
Techniques Common to several
Sub-sectors
Techniques to be considered in more than one sub-sector in the
determination of BAT
In order to avoid repetition in describing certain techniques to be considered in the

determination of BAT, Part D contains detailed technical descriptions and information on
techniques which might be applied to several sub sectors. Sector-specific aspects of the
techniques (main achieved environmental benefits, applicability, cross-media effects, reference
plants, operational data, economics, driving force for implementation and reference literature)
are covered in the relevant part of this document (A, B or C), in which cross-references to Part
D are included where relevant.
Part D/ Techniques Common to several Subsectors

D.1 Furnaces: Thermal efficiency ..................................................................................................403
D.1.1 Regenerative Burners.........................................................................................................403
D.1.2 Recuperators and Recuperative Burners ............................................................................404
D.2 Furnaces: NOx reduction Measures .........................................................................................406
D.2.1 Low-NOx Burner................................................................................................................406
D.2.2 Limiting Air Preheating Temperatures ..............................................................................408
D.2.3 External Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR).............................................................................410
D.2.4 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) .................................................................................411
D.2.5 Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) ......................................................................412
D.2.6 Comparison of NOx Reduction Methods for Furnaces......................................................413
D.3 Oil Emulsions ..........................................................................................................................415
D.3.1 Cleaning and Reuse of Emulsion .......................................................................................415
D.3.2 Treatment of Spent Emulsion / Emulsion Splitting ...........................................................415
D.3.3 Extraction of Oil Mist /Emulsion Fumes and Oil Abatement ............................................418
D.4 Alkaline Degreasing ................................................................................................................418
D.4.1 Implementation of Degreasing Bath Cascades...................................................................418
D.4.2 Hot water pre-degreasing ...................................................................................................418
D.4.3 Maintenance and Cleaning of Degreasing Baths ...............................................................418
D.4.4 Treatment of Spent Degreasing Bath .................................................................................420
D.4.5 Treatment of Alkaline Waste Water ..................................................................................420
D.4.6 Degreasing Fume Collection and Treatment......................................................................420
D.5 Pickling....................................................................................................................................421
D.5.1 Open Pickling Bath Operation ...........................................................................................421
D.5.2 Emission Control/Collection from Pickling.......................................................................422
D.5.3 Abatement Techniques for Acid Gases, Vapour and Aerosols from Pickling (and Acid
Regeneration).....................................................................................................................424
D.5.4 Hydrochloric Acid Pickling ...............................................................................................428
D.5.5 Sulphuric Acid Pickling .....................................................................................................428
D.5.6 Electrolytic Pickling...........................................................................................................429
D.5.7 Mixed Acid Pickling ..........................................................................................................429
D.5.8 NOx Reduction Measures for Mixed Acid Pickling...........................................................429
D.5.9 Free Acid Reclamation ......................................................................................................437
D.5.10 Acid Regeneration .............................................................................................................441
D.5.11 Treatment of Acidic Waste / Waste Water.........................................................................451
D.6 Heating of Process Liquors (acid, emulsions…) .....................................................................452
D.7 Fluxing.....................................................................................................................................454
D.7.1 On-site Regeneration of Flux Baths (Iron Removal) .........................................................454
D.7.2 External Reutilization of Spent Flux Baths........................................................................456
D.8 Rinsing.....................................................................................................................................457
D.8.1 Efficient (multiple) Use of Rinsing Water .........................................................................457
D.8.2 Treatment of Rinsing Water...............................................................................................459
D.9 Process Water and Waste Water Treatment.............................................................................459
D.9.1 Treatment of Oil- and Scale-bearing Process Water ..........................................................459
D.9.2 Cooling Systems and Cooling Water Treatment................................................................464

List of figures
Figure D.1-1: Potential fuel savings with preheated combustion air ....................................................... 403
Figure D.1-2: Schematic of a regenerative burner system ....................................................................... 404
Figure D.1-3: Schematic of a self-recuperative burner ............................................................................ 405
Figure D.1-4: Typical exhaust gas recuperators....................................................................................... 405
Figure D.2-1: Schematic of a Low-NOx Burner with internal Flue Gas Recirculation ........................... 407
Figure D.2-2: Schematic example of an air staged low-NOx Burner ...................................................... 407
Figure D.2-3: Influence of air preheating temperatures (low range) on NOx emissions ........................ 409
Figure D.2-4: Influence of air preheating temperatures (high range) on NOx emissions 1 ...................... 409
Figure D.2-5: Effect of flue gas recirculation on NOx emission ............................................................. 410
Figure D.3-1: Principle of ultrafiltration.................................................................................................. 418
Figure D.4-1: Example flowsheet for ceramic filtration of degreasing solution...................................... 419
Figure D.5-1: Limiting curve for the operation of open HCl pickling baths............................................ 421
Figure D.5-2: Different extraction systems.............................................................................................. 423
Figure D.5-3: Design principles for closed pickling tanks....................................................................... 423
Figure D.5-4: Principle of packed scrubbers............................................................................................ 424
Figure D.5-5: Principle of a cross-flow scrubber..................................................................................... 426
Figure D.5-6: Principle of plate scrubbers ............................................................................................... 426
Figure D.5-7: Principle of fume filter ...................................................................................................... 428
Figure D.5-8: Schematic for injecting H2O2 into pickling acid recirculation loop .................................. 431
Figure D.5-9: Schematic for injecting H2O2 into pickling baths via a sparge pipe .................................. 431
Figure D.5-10: Vacuum cooling crystallization process for H2SO4 ......................................................... 437
Figure D.5-11: Evaporative acid recovery ............................................................................................... 438
Figure D.5-12: Principle of Diffusiondialysis.......................................................................................... 440
Figure D.5-13: Fluidised bed HCl acid regeneration process .................................................................. 441
Figure D.5-14: Spray roasting HCl acid regeneration process................................................................. 443
Figure D.5-15: Process flowsheet for the production of high purity oxides ............................................ 444
Figure D.5-16: Spray roasting mixed acid regeneration process ............................................................. 445
Figure D.5-17: Principle of Salt Splitting by Bipolar Membranes........................................................... 446
Figure D.5-18: Evaporation Process for Mixed acid Regeneration [Com2 Fin]...................................... 448
Figure D.6-1: Principle of heat exchangers.............................................................................................. 452
Figure D.6-2: Principle of submerged combustion .................................................................................. 453
Figure D.7-1: Flow sheet for flux regeneration........................................................................................ 454
Figure D.7-2: Schematic of the electrolytic oxidation process ................................................................ 455
Figure D.8-1: Rinsing systems................................................................................................................. 457
Figure D.9-1: Circular Settling Tank (vertical)........................................................................................ 459
Figure D.9-2: Horizontal Flow Settling Tank .......................................................................................... 460
Figure D.9-3: Schematic of a lamella separator....................................................................................... 460
Figure D.9-4: Screw-type clarifier ........................................................................................................... 461
Figure D.9-5: Example of a gravel filter with indication of backwash operation .................................... 462
Figure D.9-6: Example of wire-netting filters with indication of backwash operation............................ 462
Figure D.9-7: Aerated fine scale-trap....................................................................................................... 463
Figure D.9-8: Magnetic filtration (example high gradient MF) ............................................................... 464

List of tables
Table D.2-1: Calculated percentage increase in fuel consumption from reduced air preheat...................410
Table D.2-2: Comparison of NOx reduction methods..............................................................................413
Table D.2-3: Estimated costs of NOx reduction techniques for a 50 MW furnace ..................................414
Table D.5-1: Comparison of different NOx reduction measures for mixed acid pickling........................435
Table D.5-2: Overview of regeneration and reclamation processes .........................................................449
Table D.8-1: Comparison of water consumption for different rinsing systems........................................458
Table D.9-1: Example of achieved emission levels for aerated fine scale-traps ......................................463

D.1 FURNACES: THERMAL EFFICIENCY
To improve thermal efficiency of furnaces, the exhaust gases from the furnace may be used to
preheat the combustion air. Thermal efficiency increases with increasing preheated air
temperature and decreasing waste gas temperature. The diagram in Figure D.1-1 shows
potential fuel savings achieved by combustion air preheating. Actual values might differ from
these theoretical figures as they are subject to a number of other influences.
Figure D.1-1: Potential fuel savings with preheated combustion air

[ETSU-G76]
In general, two systems exist: the regenerative and the recuperative system/burner.
D.1.1 Regenerative Burners
Regenerative systems use two sets of heat exchangers, containing for example brick chequer
material or ceramic balls. Figure D.1-2 shows an example for such a regenerative burner
system. While one burner is in firing mode, the regenerator of the other burner is heated by
direct contact with the exhaust gas., the other heats the incoming combustion air. After a period
of time the flows are switched to reverse the process. Such systems can achieve air preheating
temperatures of up to 1100 °C (and 1300 °C), but actual temperatures are dependent on the
waste gas inlet temperature. Based on the air preheat temperatures NOx emissions can be as
high as 3000 mg/m3. [CITEPA]
A special type of regenerative burner is the integral bed burner which has a more compact
design as the regenerative bed is incorporated in the body of the burner. These kind of burners

are especially suitable for retrofitting furnaces where space constraints may be a problem and
for small furnaces.
Regenerative systems are preferred for high waste gas temperatures to achieve air preheat
temperatures above 600 °C. The air preheat temperature is limited by the process temperature
and is generally 150 to 200 °C below the process temperature. Thermal efficiency of the furnace
of 80 % and fuel savings of up to 60 % can be achieved. [EUROFER HR], [EUROFER CR]
Figure D.1-2: Schematic of a regenerative burner system

[ETSU-G76]
A regenerative system is particularly attractive for batch processes because batch processes
generally do not contain a preheat zone. In continuous furnaces equipped with a central
recuperator system, a similar thermal efficiency is reached by means of a long unheated
(preheat) zone, where the heat of the flue gases is transmitted by convection to the cold stock.
[EUROFER HR]
D.1.2 Recuperators and Recuperative Burners
A recuperator is a heat exchanger fitted in the exhaust gas outlet, which allows heat to be
transferred continuously through the heating surfaces to the incoming combustion air. Various
equipment designs are available. (Self-) recuperative burners have integral heat exchangers for
preheating combustion air.

Figure D.1-3: Schematic of a self-recuperative burner

[ETSU-G76]
Figure D.1-4: Typical exhaust gas recuperators

[ETSU-G76]
Recuperating the heat of flue gases allows air preheat temperature up to 550 or 620 °C
depending on the process temperature. Higher air preheat temperatures are technically possible,
but entail excessive cost due to the heat resistant construction-materials that would be required.
A thermal efficiency of approximately 65 % can be reached. [EUROFER HR]

D.2 FURNACES: NOX REDUCTION MEASURES
The simplest method of reducing NOx emissions is to switch from a 'dirty' fuel to a 'clean' one,
which in fact means switching to gas. This may not however be feasible for existing plants and,
in practice, available plant gases determine the type of fuel used in furnaces. Also, for liquid
and solid fuels the sulphur content is usually of more concern than the nitrogen. [HMIP-95-003]
Another simple method is to limit the preheat temperature of combustion air, which lowers the
NOx emissions in the flue gas, but at the same time will result in higher fuel consumption and
cause higher CO2 emissions. In this case a balanced compromise between energy efficiency and
emission reduction needs to be found.
NOx reduction methods may be classified as primary and secondary. The primary methods
modify the combustion process itself to limit the NOx formed in the combustion chamber. This
is usually done by controlling the oxygen available to the fuel and/or the peak flame
temperature. Such control can be achieved most easily by retrofitting conventional burners with
'low-NOx burners', in which the mixing of fuel and air is carefully controlled to produce staged
combustion. Other methods, including so-called flameless burners, external flue gas
recirculation or water injection, are only under development and are described in Chapter 6.
[HMIP-95-003]
Secondary measures 'clean-up' the flue or exhaust gas by destroying the NOx that has been
formed during the combustion process. Methods for removing NOx (NO and NO2) from
exhaust gases fall into two categories. Dry processes involve the conversion of NOx to N2 by
injection of a reducing agent and may or may not involve a catalyst. The most widely used dry
processes are selective in their operation, that is they are designed to remove NOx only, but a
few techniques also remove SO2. Wet processes involve passing the flue gas through an
aqueous solution which usually removes NOx and SO2 simultaneously. [HMIP-95-003]
The problem of wet methods is the accumulation of large amounts of waste water which must
be treated before being disposed of. In contrast, dry processes do not generate any by-products
for disposal other than spent catalyst and are generally simpler and more economic to apply
than wet processes. However, some dry methods are sensitive to SO2 and particulates in the gas
stream. [HMIP-95-003]
D.2.1 Low-NOx Burner
Low-NOx burner is a general term for a series of new burner types that combine several design
features to reduce the NOx emission level. Main principles of these burners are the reduction in
peak flame temperature, the reduction in residence time in the high temperature zone and the
reduction in oxygen availability in the combustion zone. This is generally achieved by air
staging, fuel staging and/or internal flue gas recirculation. [HMIP-95-003] As there is a
multitude of different burner designs, also varying from supplier to supplier, Figure D.2-1 and
Figure D.2-2 show only a selection of different low-NOx burners available.
The recirculation of the flue gases from the furnace into the flame can be favoured by burner
design as shown in Figure D.2-1. This lowers the O2-concentration in the air/fuel mixture and
creates a quiet flame with lower temperature. The recirculation also achieves a chemical
reduction of the NOx in the flue gases by the hydrocarbons in the fuel. [EUROFER HR]

Figure D.2-1: Schematic of a Low-NOx Burner with internal Flue Gas Recirculation
[ETSU-45]
A further reduction of the NOx level and of the dependency of the NOx level on the air preheat
temperature can be achieved by burners with an increased jet flow, where the flame in some
cases is not anchored to the tile of the burner or where the gas and combustion air inlets are
separated. [EUROFER HR]
A common mode of operation of low-NOx burners lies in the creation of a fuel-rich zone within
the flame. This favours the conversion of fixed nitrogen, that is chemically-bound fuel-nitrogen,
to N2. It also has the effect of reducing the peak flame temperature. Both fuel and thermal NOx
mechanisms are retarded and NOx is reduced. There are two main types of low-NOx burners
which both involve the use of staged combustion to achieve the desired effect. These are air-
staged and fuel-staged burners.
In air-staged burners, the first stage of combustion occurs in a slightly fuel-rich zone, at an
optimum fuel/air ratio (1.1 - 1.3) for conversion of the fuel nitrogen to N2. A second stage of
combustion is operated fuel-lean by addition of secondary air in a such way as to complete the
fuel burnout, with careful temperature control to minimize the formation of thermal NO in this
zone.
Figure D.2-2: Schematic example of an air staged low-NOx Burner

[HMIP-95-003]

There are various designs of air-staged burners which differ in the way the two combustion
zones are created. In aerodynamically air-staged burners, all the combustion air flows through
the same burner opening, in such a way that aerodynamics is used to create the first, fuel-rich
zone. External air-staged burners use a separate air stream to complete burnout. In air-staged
pre-combustor burners, the fuel-rich zone is established in a separate pre-combustor section.
Key design factors controlling the effectiveness of air-staged burners are the temperature and
residence time in each stage. Manufacturers generally claim a reduction in uncontrolled NOx
emissions on gas firing of 50 – 60 % by means of air staging. [HMIP-95-003]
In fuel-staged burners, NO is allowed to be formed in the primary combustion zone, but fuel is
injected downstream to create a secondary fuel-rich, or 'reburn' zone where the NO is reduced to
N2. Further air is added downstream to complete combustion of the excess fuel in a tertiary
combustion zone, again with careful control of temperature to minimize thermal NO formation.
Reburn fuels can be natural gas or coal.
The key reactions responsible for conversion of NO to N2 in the fuel-rich zones of both types of
low-NOx burners are those between NO and small hydrocarbon- and nitrogen-containing
radicals (such as CH, CH2, NH, NH2, NCO) which are present under these conditions. The
mechanisms of NOx chemistry are complex and effectiveness of the methods described here to
reduce NOx formation depends on a number of factors including burner design, operation, fuel
quality (particularly the volatile and fuel-nitrogen content), particle size (especially for liquid
and solid fuels) and scale of operation.
Low-NOx staged combustors are the most applicable of control techniques for industrial
furnaces and do not present many difficulties of installation. Some, but not all, designs of staged
combustor result in lower burner exit velocities and this reduction in momentum may cause
changes in furnace aerodynamics and hence problems with heat transfer distribution. Similarly,
flames will tend to lengthen which may necessitate increases in excess air levels to avoid direct
flame contact with the material being heated. [HMIP-95-003]
Low-NOx burners can be more complex and/or bulky than conventional burners and may give
rise to problems in furnace design or in retrofitting existing furnaces. Investment cost for retrofit
depends on the type and size of furnace and to what degree the new burners are compatible with
the existing combustion equipment. No increase of operating costs is connected with low-NOx
burners. [ETSU-45]
D.2.2 Limiting Air Preheating Temperatures
Emission levels of NOx increase with increasing preheating temperatures of combustion air as
is shown in Figure D.2-3 and Figure D.2-4. Thus limiting air preheating can be a measure to
limit NOx emissions.
On the other hand, the preheating of combustion air is a commonly applied measure to increase
the energy efficiency of furnaces and to decrease fuel consumption, as has been described in
Chapter D.2. The increase of fuel consumption to be expected from reducing air preheat
temperatures can be seen in Table D.2-1.
Generally, plant operators are interested in reducing the fuel consumption as this implies a
monetary benefit, but the reduction of fuel consumption can additionally reduce other air
pollutants, such as CO2, SO2 and particulates. Thus a choice has to be made between energy
efficiency and decrease of SO2 and CO2 emissions on one hand and increase of NOx emissions
on the other hand. When keeping air preheating temperatures high, the application of secondary
NOx reduction measures might be necessary.

Figure D.2-3: Influence of air preheating temperatures (low range) on NOx emissions 1
[ETSU-45]
Figure D.2-4: Influence of air preheating temperatures (high range) on NOx emissions 1
[ETSU-45]
1
NOx concentrations expressed as mg/m3, corrected to 3 % oxygen on a dry basis, at 0°C and 101.3 kPa

Final air pre-heat [°C]

1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200
1000 0.0 6.0 12.6 19.9 28.3 37.7 48.6 60.4 74.5
Initial air pe-heat [°C]
900 0.0 6.3 13.1 21.1 30.0 40.3 51.4 64.7

800 0.0 6.4 13.9 22.2 31.9 42.3 54.9
700 0.0 7.0 14.9 24.0 33.8 45.6
600 0.0 7.4 15.9 25.0 36.0
500 0.0 7.9 16.4 26.7
400 0.0 8.4 17.4
300 0.0 8.8
200 0.0
Table D.2-1: Calculated percentage increase in fuel consumption from reduced air preheat
[ETSU-45]
D.2.3 External Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR)
Flue gas recirculation (FGR) is a technique for limiting peak flame temperatures. Recirculating
flue gases into the combustion air will reduce the oxygen to 17 to 19 % and lower flame
temperatures, hence limiting thermal NOx formation. [HMIP-95-003], [HR]
The NOx reductions achieved by FGR are shown in Figure D.2-5. The diagram is based on a
range of test data.
Figure D.2-5: Effect of flue gas recirculation on NOx emission

[ETSU-45]
Some data from several different test rigs showed that FGR can achieve NOx reductions
approaching 70 – 80 % depending on the fraction of the flue gas that is recirculated (FGR 20 to
30 %), the temperature of the recirculated gases and whether or not the FGR is to be applied to a
low-NOx burner system. Fractional reductions compared directly to a staged combustion burner

should be somewhat less, but the overall reductions with respect to baseline should still be
greater, although there are insufficient experimental results to quantify this for high temperature
industrial burners. [HMIP-95-003]
In principle, FGR should be applicable to most reheating and heat treatment processes.
However, in practice, for retrofitting, there may be physical difficulties in installing ductwork
and problems of accessibility. [HMIP-95-003]
At least one manufacturer offers FGR in conjunction with its low-NOx burner range and there
may well be others.
Regarding operational problems, there is some concern that there may be flame stability
problems at 'turndown' and that increased water vapour contents in the combustion products can
increase for example the scaling of the steel that is being heated. [HMIP-95-003]
Some doubts exist about how FGR is actually done in a multiburner combustion system.
Variable composition fuels (and hence variable waste gas volumes) could also result in
combustion control problems. [EUROFER HR]
D.2.4 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
The SCR process is the most highly developed and widely used method for NOx removal from
exhaust gases. The process involves the reduction of NO and NO2 to N2 of ammonia over a
catalyst bed. The overall reactions are:
4 NO + 4 NH3 + O2 → 4 N2 + 6 H2O
6 NO2 + 8 NH3 → 7 N2 + 12 H2O.
The optimum temperature window for these reactions is 300 – 400 oC. Usually, ammonia is
added slightly sub-stoichiometrically (0.9 – 1.0 mole per mole of NOx) to suppress carry-over.
[HMIP-95-003], [ETSU-45], [HMIP-95-003]
The most effective and widely used catalyst is vanadium pentoxide, V2O5, supported on TiO2,
Other substances exhibiting catalytic activity are Fe2O3 and CuO; the noble metals (Pt, Pd, Ru,
Rh); oxides of the metals W, Mo, Cr, Co and Ni; certain zeolites and activated carbon. The
catalyst may be employed in a variety of structures and configurations to alleviate the problem
of blockage by particulates depending on the severity of the problem. A honeycomb shaped
catalyst is suitable in a fixed bed configuration because it permits the particles to pass through
without clogging. A moving bed configuration allows a deactivated or clogged catalyst to be
constantly regenerated. A parallel-flow arrangement is also suitable. [HMIP-95-003]
Deactivation by poisoning (Na, K, As), erosion or solid contamination may limit the lifetime of
the catalyst. [EUROFER HR]
The efficiency of NOx reduction by SCR depends on the catalyst used and the initial NOx
concentration. Values of up to 95 % have been reported, with a typical range being 70 – 90 %
[HMIP-95-003], [ETSU-gir-45]

D.2.5 Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR)
In this process, also known as the thermal DeNOx process, ammonia is injected directly into the
flue gas at higher temperatures to reduce NO to N2, without the aid of a catalyst. To ensure the
maximum possible reduction of NOx it is necessary to inject the reagent at a point in the
process where the exhaust gas temperature is within an optimum range. For ammonia the range
is between 850 ºC and 1000 ºC and for urea the range is from 950 ºC to 1100 ºC. The overall
reaction is:
4 NH3 + 4 NO + O2 → 4 N2 + 6 H2O
The presence of excess O2 in the exhaust gas is thus required, as well as a residence time of 0.1
to 0.4 seconds. A feature of this process is that it is only effective over a narrow temperature
window. [HMIP-95-003]
The reaction mechanism is a homogeneous gas phase one, the key step being:
N 2 + H2 0 (a)
NH2 + NO
N 2+H+OH (b)
The chain-branching channel (b) producing radicals is crucial to sustaining the reaction: without
it, the reaction would quickly terminate. This reaction is in competition with reactions of NH2
with oxidizing radicals (O, OH) which lead to the formation of NO. This competition explains
the existence of the temperature window. At temperatures below the low temperature limit, NO
reduction is limited by radical chain termination steps in the mechanism competing effectively
with chain-branching steps; at temperatures above the high temperature limit, NH3 oxidation
dominates over NO reduction leading to net NO formation. Additives influence this window by
altering the balance between these processes. [HMIP-95-003]
Ammonia is potentially explosive and its safe storage would be a significant consideration with
cost implications. [HMIP-95-003]

D.2.6 Comparison of NOx Reduction Methods for Furnaces
Technique Advantages Disadvantages
Low-NOx - Moderate to high level of NOx - High capital cost

burners reduction - Longer flame (?)
- Fuel consumption unchanged - Poor flame shape (?)
- Low or zero operating cost penalty - Reduced flame velocity (?)
- Poor furnace temperature
uniformity (?)
- Reduced flame stability (?)
- Larger burners (?)
- Poor turndown (?)
Limiting air - Can be simple, with low or zero - Increased fuel costs
preheat capital cost - Downrating of combustion
- Moderate to high level of NOx equipment
reduction - Reduced flame stability
- Reduced burner velocity therefore
furnace
- temperature uniformity
Flue gas - Moderate to high level of NOx - High capital cost (if uprating
recirculation reduction required)
- Improved temperature - Increased fuel and electricity costs
uniformity(?) - More space required (especially if
- Medium capital costs (if no uprating required)
uprating required) - Reduced flame stability
- Downrating of existing
combustion system
SCR - High level of NOx removal - Very high capital costs
- Combustion system not downrated - Increased energy and operating
costs
- Ammonia slip
- Ammonia storage problems
- Sensitive to changes in
temperature/flowrates
- Requires specific waste gas
temperature
SNCR - Moderate to high level of NOx - High capital cost
reduction - Increased energy and operating
- Combustion system not downrated costs
- Ammonia slip
- Ammonia storage problems
(unless urea is used)
- Sensitive to changes in
temperature/flowrates/
stoichiometry
- Requires specific furnace
temperature
Note Source [ETSU-gir-45]
(?) Indicates a possible or likely effect
Table D.2-2: Comparison of NOx reduction methods
(as reported by [ETSU-gir-45])

Technique Typical range of Initial Operating Total cost of technique

NOx reduction capital cost (GBP ‘000/year for 50 MW furnace)
cost (GBP/GJ)
(GBP
‘000)
2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 8000
hours/year hours/year hours/year hours/year hours/year hours/year
Low-NOx Up to 97 328 0.0 53.7 53.7 53.7 53.7 53.7 53.7
burners
Limiting air NA 0.0257 92.5 139 185 231 278 370
preheat for 50 %
NOx
reduction
Flue gas Up to 93 75.6 0.098 47.6 65.2 82.9 101 118 153
recirculation (44.74 15 % FGR) (631)* (0.072)* (129)* (142)* (154)* (167)* (180)* (206)*
SCR up to 95 1100 - 0.0722 205 - 438 218 - 451 231 - 464 244 - 477 257 - 490 283 - 516
(Typically 70 - 90) 2530
SNCR up to 85 350 - 650 0.0361 69.9 - 119 76.4 - 125 82.9 - 132 89.4 - 138 95.9 - 145 109 - 158
(with NH3) (Typically 50 - 60)
Note Source of data [ETSU-45]

NA Not available and, for the purposes of calculation, assumed to be small compared with operating cost.
* Figures in brackets refer to case where burners and regenerators would need to be uprated.
NB1 Flue gas recirculation operating cost figures all based on 15 % FGR.
Estimated fuel consumption penalty = 3.2 %
Increased fan running costs (based on regenerative burners) = 1.6 % of fuel costs (0.32 % if burners and regeneratoars were uprated).
NB2 Water injection cost figures all based on 15 kg (water)/Gj (fuel):
Estimated fuel cost penalty = 11.8 %
Cost of water not included.
Table D.2-3: Estimated costs of NOx reduction techniques for a 50 MW furnace

(as reported by [ETSU-gir-45])
414 October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp-BREF_FINAL

D.3 OIL EMULSIONS
D.3.1 Cleaning and Reuse of Emulsion
Rolling emulsions from the mill stands, wet wire drawing lubricants etc. pick up particulate
matter, steel slivers, scale and dust during operation. As the degree of contamination rises, these
impurities affect the quality of the product and lead to process failure. To enable emulsion
systems to be run as circulation systems and to extend the lifetime of the emulsions, the
cleanliness is controlled closely.
Solids can be removed from emulsions by gravity in settling tanks, in separators, mesh
filters, magnetic filter etc.
To remove solids a centrifuge utilizes centrifugal forces. Dirty liquid is fed into the spinning
rotor or bowl, whereby the liquid is accelerated and distributed onto the internal walls of the
bowl. The solids separate and compact at the perimeter of the bowl. The solids remain in the
bowl while the liquid exits, as it is displaced by the incoming liquid.
Once the bowl fills to maximum allowable capacity with waste solids, the automatic cleaning
cycle is activated. At this point, the feed of dirty liquid is shut off and the rotor comes to a
complete stop. The internal scraping blades then rotate back and forth against the rotor while
removing the solids, which dump into a collection hopper. [El-Hindi]
Depending on the particle size of the solids, mesh filters or media filtration using disposable
paper can be used. The liquid is forced through the filter media which extracts the fines, by
gravity, pressure or vacuum.
However, a partial flow of the emulsion may need to be withdrawn from the system to maintain
quality.
D.3.2 Treatment of Spent Emulsion / Emulsion Splitting
The partial flow discarded from the emulsion circuit systems requires treatment prior to
discharge. This treatment basically constitutes the separation of the water and the oil phase. The
purified water is discharged. The separated oil or oil-containing sludge may be reused, e.g.
thermally by incineration. There are many different emulsion splitting systems each comprising
several processing steps. Treatments available comprise:
- Thermal: by evaporation and splitting with chemical additions.

- Chemical: acid splitting, salt splitting, combined dosage of coagulants and polyeletrolytes.
- Flotation.
- Adsorption.
- Electrolytical.
- Membrane filtration (ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis).
D.3.2.1 Thermal Breaking/Thermal Emulsion Splitting/Evaporation
Thermal breaking utilizes a heat source, e.g. an internal heating tube or immersion gas burner,
to raise the emulsion temperature to accelerate the evaporation rate, driving away the water
content. The water exits as vapour leaving the increasingly concentrated oil as a separate
discharge. [El-Hindi]

The air saturated with water vapour is passed through coalescing elements to retain any possible
droplets of coolant in the air stream prior to discharge. As an option, a condenser unit using a
water-cooled coil can be installed in the discharge stack to retrieve the water as condensate.
This water stream can then be used as make-up water to be reintroduced to the emulsion system.
[El-Hindi]
The concentrated oil left in the chamber is subjected to a cookdown cycle to drive out more
water content. By thermal breaking, an emulsion with initial concentrate of 5 to 7 percent oil
can be ultimately reduced to 90 percent oil and 10 percent water. With the greater amount of
water content removed, the disposal volume and cost are much less. With the greater
concentration of oil, the reuse option of incineration is more feasible. [El-Hindi]
D.3.2.2 Chemical Breaking of Emulsions
In splitting with acid/salt, the emulsified oil will mostly be adsorbed to sludge and will not be
separated as an oil phase. The addition of acids, iron/aluminium salts or polyelectrolytes causes
the oil emulsion to destabilise due to the neutralisation of the charged colloidal oil particles.
Splitting of oil-containing emulsions with acids or salts is not a state-of-the-art technique, due to
the generation of large amounts of oil-containing neutralisation sludges and the contamination
of waste water by salt. Acids/salts can be used as aftertreatment in combined processes if only
small amounts of residual oil need to be removed.
Polyelectrolytes soluble in the oil phase (so-called „organic splitters“, e.g. tertiary and
quaternary polyamines) do not produce sludge during the splitting process itself, but generate a
liquid oil phase which can be removed and utilized. This process can be used to treat emulsions
with a high content of emulsified oil (a well-suited pre-treatment technique when a combination
of processes is applied). Polyelectrolytes (often used in combination with absorbents) through
which the proportion of emulsified oil is bound within flocs and which produce a removable
sludge (flotation or sedimentation) should only be used when the oil content is low (less than
300 mg/l), in order to reduce flocculant consumption, sludge volume and, thereby, costs. When
a combination of processes is applied, flocculation can be used as aftertreatment. [Com2 D]
D.3.2.3 Flotation
Flotation is a gravity separation process using different density of two media. The lighter
medium (e.g. oil) is collected at the surface of the heavier medium (e.g. water) in a tank with
low turbulence. Even heavier media (e.g. flocs) can be collected at the water surface if flocs are
made lighter by gas bubbles sticking to the flocs. Gas bubbles must be smaller than the flocs,
otherwise they will not stick. Small bubbles are usually produced by pressurising water and gas
together (dissolved air flotation), electrolytically (water split into hydrogen and oxygen gas
bubbles) or by high shear forces (mechanical dispersing of gas into water). [Com2 A]
Flotation emulsion breaking usually means a two-step process consisting firstly of chemical
emulsion breaking (by dosing acid, flocculents and polyelectrolyte or electrochemically by
dissolving the anode) and secondly of flotation for separating the flocs from water. [Com2 A]
The layer of floating sludge forming at the water surface (flotate) is removed mechanically. In
general, flotation techniques can be distinguished inter alia by the way the gas bubbles are
produced:
- Pressure relief flotation (introduction of air-saturated pressurised water).

- Electroflotation (electrolytical decomposition of water with formation of hydrogen and
oxygen bubbles).
- Dispersion flotation (generation of microbubbles through injection of air via a hollow shaft).

No additional solids arise in the flotate sludge when polyelectrolytes are used for emulsion
splitting instead of acids/salts. [Com2 D]
D.3.2.4 Adsorption
Adsorption means adhering the oil particles to the surface of a solid or semisolid adsorbent. The
adsorbent may either be a fixed bed of solids (e.g. activated carbon) through which the emulsion
is flowing or may be a powdered solid (e.g. activated carbon) or semisolid flocs (e.g. iron
hydroxide) distributed into the liquid. Powder or flocs have to be finally separated from liquid
by settling, flotation or filtering. [Com2 A]
Oil-contaminated adsorbent has to be discharged when exhausted and treated as sludge or has to
be burnt (or sometimes regenerated in case of fixed beds).
Fixed bed adsorbers and powder type adsorbers are only usable for very low oil concentrations,
otherwise adsorbent is exhausted too fast and is therefore too expensive. It is not common as
basic emulsion treatment but it is sometimes used as a final polishing step of other types of
emulsion breaking. Adsorption to semisolid flocs is part of the chemical emulsion breaking.
[Com2 A]
A special kind of adsorption are coalescing filters. These filters are filled with regular or
irregular wire mesh, plastic or ceramic filling and will cause small oil droplets to collect and
adhere to this filling. If collected oil volume increases, oil droplets (now bigger in size) will
escape and rise up to the water surface from where they are skimmed off. Coalescing filters are
sometimes used as emulsion pre-treatment to remove free oil droplets from an emulsion.
[Com2 A]
Use of adsorbents for treating spent emulsions consumes large amounts of chemicals and
generates considerable quantities of oil-containing waste sludge. [Com2 D]
D.3.2.5 Electrolytical Emulsion Splitting
In electrolytical emulsion splittings aluminium anodes are dissolved; the resulting sludge flakes
bond the oil and float. To improve the separation effect polyelectrolyte can be added. In
addition, control of the pH-value and the electrical conductivity is maintained.
All of the oil contained in the emulsion has to be removed as sludge. The process does not
produce an oil phase fit for use. [Com2 D]
D.3.2.6 Ultrafiltration
A successful alternative for emulsion with low initial oil concentration (< 2 %) is the use of
ultrafiltration (UF), see Figure D.3-1, to mechanically split out the oils or soaps. The oil is
separated at the molecular level, as the emulsion is forced through membrane filters. The
membranes block oil molecules, while the water molecules pass through. The water, which
passes through, is called permeate, while the restrained oil is called concentrate. Typically, the
concentration of the concentrate (oil) does not exceed 25 percent and is limited by the plugging
of the membranes. As membranes are plugged, the ultrafilter cartridges must be periodically
backwashed. [El-Hindi]
The average separation efficiency of UF, related to normal industrial water, is approx. 40 l/h per
m2 filter surface. [EUROFER HR]

Figure D.3-1: Principle of ultrafiltration

[Fichtner]
D.3.3 Extraction of Oil Mist /Emulsion Fumes and Oil

Abatement
Emulsion fumes from the mill stands are extracted and passed through separators for cleaning.
Eliminators containing baffle packing and impingement plates or mesh pads to separate the oil
from the extracted airflow and in some cases electrostatic precipitators are used. Reduction
efficiency is > 90 %.
D.4 ALKALINE DEGREASING
D.4.1 Implementation of Degreasing Bath Cascades

D.4.2 Hot water pre-degreasing
(degreasing with hot water, 60–80 oC, can remove 99 % of the oil)
è No further information submitted.
D.4.3 Maintenance and Cleaning of Degreasing Baths
High oil contents make degreasing solutions unusable and cleaning measures are applied to
extent the life span of the bath. The following measures can be applied:
D.4.3.1 Mechanical Cleaning
Sludge, a mixture of oil, other impurities and spent degreaser, settling at the bottom of
degreasing baths can be removed by scratchers. Suspended particles can also be removed by
sedimentation in gravity separators.
As the emulsions of degreasing agents and oil/grease from the metal surface are usually
unstable, they float on the surface in calm areas after a while. Calm areas can be achieved by
special design features of the degreasing tank or if this is not possible, e.g. when the degreasing

solution is sprayed, by introducing a special calm tank where the solution can settle. The
floating oil and grease can be removed by skimmers, discharge launders, etc.
With these measures, simply using natural gravity (separating time: a couple of hours), the life
of degreasing baths can be prolonged by 2 or 4 times. Sludge withdrawn contains oils, grease,
degreasing agent, scale, rust, dust etc. and is usually disposed. [ABAG], [Fichtner]
Separation is more effective using centrifuge separators or hydrocyclones, which split the oil
and water phases within seconds. Very small oil and grease drops are separated more easily; the
oil-rich part contains only 5 - 10 % water and unwanted carryout of degreasing chemicals is
prevented. The life of the baths can be prolonged by up to 16 times. [ABAG]
D.4.3.2 Magnetic Separators / Filters
Magnetic separators can be used to remove the mixture of iron fines and oil from degreasing
baths.
è No further information submitted.
D.4.3.3 Adsorption of Surfactants and Oil (Precipitation followed by

Filtration)
D.4.3.4 Membrane Filtration
In micro- and ultrafiltration (see also Figure D.3-1: Principle of ultrafiltration) the degreasing
bath is pumped through membranes (3 - 8 bar) in which oil, grease and spent surfactants are
held back due to the size of the molecules. To protect the membranes, the degreasing liquid is
usually cleaned from particles in a settling tank or by other means first. Micro- and
ultrafiltration increase the lifetime of the bath by 10 to 20 times. [ABAG]
Figure D.4-1 shows the flow sheet of such a filtration plant; in regular production the
degreasing liquid is pumped out of the bath into a standard plate filter where all solid particles
are removed. The filtrate then goes on to a storage vessel, also known as a circulation vessel.
The vessel contains the concentrated degreasing solution. [Sprang-IG-97]
Figure D.4-1: Example flowsheet for ceramic filtration of degreasing solution

[Sprang-IG-97]

A second pump forces degreasing solution through the membrane section at high speed and
pressure (approximately 2.5 bar). The free oil and oil dissolved by the surfactant are filtered out
by the membrane while the clear liquid and free surfactants flow through it and back into the
degreasing bath. Thus, any oil that forms is removed during the course of normal production.
Liquid circulates through the storage vessel and concentrates over time. When the oil
concentration is high enough the unit is turned off and the liquid (oil and water) in the storage
vessel allowed to settle. After a period of time a two stage process takes place; the oil is
separated from the water phase and to recycle the active surfactants, a basic component of the
degreasing solution, thermal shock is employed in the second stage. This shock causes the
surfactant to release the oil trapped in it and to separate into two phases. Separation is highly
effective and high-grade oil recovered. [Sprang-IG-97]
D.4.4 Treatment of Spent Degreasing Bath
Even though cleaning measures are applied to degreasing baths and the degreasing solution can
be circulated/ used over some time, degreasing baths eventually have to be discarded or partial
flows have to be discarded on a continuous basis to maintain the degreasing quality. To reduce
the oil load, the same measures can be applied as described for emulsion breaking/splitting in
oil emulsion systems (see previous chapter).
The generated oily waste may be reused, depending on the oil concentration, e.g. by
incineration. The filtrate or the already de-oiled water phase is then further treated in a waste
water treatment plant (see following Chapter D.4.5).
D.4.5 Treatment of Alkaline Waste Water
Partial flows from the degreasing solution cleaning circuit, rinsing water from the electrolytic
degreasing and waste water from the skin pass mill stand, which can not be reused in the mills,
have to be treated prior to discharge. They are usually neutralised with lime or HCl in a
neutralisation plant, passed through filters and finally discharged. The sludge is dewatered in
filter presses and discharged for landfill deposit.
D.4.6 Degreasing Fume Collection and Treatment
Fumes generated by degreasing operations can be collected and extracted by commonly known
measures, such as closed degreasing tanks, enclosures extraction hoods, etc. The extracted air
can then be cleaned be means of demisters. The separation is based on mass inertia. Particles
(liquids or solids) with a certain mass and speed follow their original direction. When they
collide with obstacles, because of their mass inertia they are separated from the carrier gas
stream. Obstacles are created by means of simple walls, fillings (i.e. mesh wire), labyrinths etc.
[Com-CC-2]

D.5 PICKLING
D.5.1 Open Pickling Bath Operation
The hydrogen chloride content in the gaseous phase above a hydrochloric acid pickling bath
depends to a large degree on bath temperature and concentration and is determined by
thermodynamic equilibrium and the vapour pressure of the acid.
Figure D.5-1 shows the limiting curve for the operation of open HCl pickling baths given in the
[VDI-RL-2579] 1
70
60
Temperature [ºC]
50
40
30
20
10
0
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18
HCl mass content [ % ]
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

HCl concentration [ g/l ]
Figure D.5-1: Limiting curve for the operation of open HCl pickling baths
[VDI-RL-2579], [Galv-BAT-E]
It is indicated that emissions from pickling baths are below 10 mg/m3 when the operating point
(temperature and HCl concentration) of the baths is within the shaded area of this diagram.
[VDI-RL-2579]
By close control of process parameters (temperature, concentration) and by ensuring that bath
operating conditions are within these given limits, vapour extraction systems and subsequent
abatement techniques may become redundant.
During operation the ferrous chloride concentration in the pickling baths rises. This results in an
increased pickle effect. At the same time, ferrous chloride in hydrochloric acid affects the
vapour pressure of the acid in the same way as if the acid concentration was increased: the
vapour pressure is increased. Comparing a pickle liquor with 1 % HCl and 6 % iron at 140 °F
1
Emission Control Guideline for Hot-dip Zinc Galvanizing Plants of the German Engineers Association,
(Verein Deutscher Ingenieure)

(60 oC) with a straight 10 % acid solution, the vapour pressure is increased by five times.
[Esco 3]
So, in determining the optimum operating range with respect to emission reduction, the ferrous
chloride content should be taken into account.
Another aspect influencing the amount of acid vapour emitted is the air flow rate over the pickle
bath. Assuming an absolutely still atmosphere over the bath, the evaporation of acid would
come to a halt as the equilibrium, determined by the vapour pressure, is reached. A more or less
strong and constant air flow over the pickling tank sweeps away the acid vapour and keeps the
evaporation process going. The result is not only increased acid consumption, but also higher
acid emissions. Air movement and, in the case of extraction systems, the extraction rate should
be kept as low as possible.
D.5.2 Emission Control/Collection from Pickling
In order to extract air emissions from pickling and/or other process baths, a variety of different
designs and techniques is available. Figure D.5-2 shows a collection of possible extraction
designs applied in conventional open pickling tank operations.
The more open and the further away the extraction device is from the actual emission source the
smaller is the capture efficiency and the larger the volumes that need to be extracted to achieve
an acceptable emission capture efficiency. Roof and wall exhaust systems are usually easy to
install and cheaper, but the resulting large air flows require large fans and emission abatement
devices. Furthermore, the building itself and the roofs act as collection hoods for acidic
emissions and deteriorate accordingly. Also any equipment, such as cranes and hoists, close to
the pickling tanks or in the building will corrode rapidly.
Lip extraction and lateral hoods are designed to exhaust only from the area of the pickling tank,
thus the resulting volume flows are much smaller.
Batch processes usually require open accessible tanks for loading and removing the items to be
pickled, therefore only the former measures are applicable.
The most effective way to capture the emissions from pickling, however, is completely
closed/sealed tanks as shown in Figure D.5-3. These types of tanks can be applied in continuous
processes (e.g. for pickling sheet and wire) where the steel/wire enters the pickling tank through
small openings. The tanks are kept under slight negative pressure to avoid escape of fumes.

A B
EXHAUST
CRANE CRANE
EXHAUST
AIR FLOW
AIR FLOW AIR FLOW TANKS
TANKS
C D
CRANE TRAVEL HOOD

AIR FLOW
FLANGE
SLOTS EACH SIDE
AIR FLOW EXHAUST
PUSH AIR
SUPPLY
EXHAUST SUCTION DUCTS
ANY TWO OPPOSITE SIDES
TANK TANK
A: roof extraction B: wall exhaust

C: lip extraction D: lateral hood
Figure D.5-2: Different extraction systems

based on [Stone]
EXHAUST AIR
AIR
STEEL
AIR
EXHAUST AIR
AIR
STEEL
AIR
Figure D.5-3: Design principles for closed pickling tanks

[ESCO x]

D.5.3 Abatement Techniques for Acid Gases, Vapour and

Aerosols from Pickling (and Acid Regeneration)
Wet scrubbing systems are used to remove acid gas, aerosols or vapour from waste gases. The
principal of wet scrubbing is absorption of gas or liquid in the scrubbing medium by close gas-
liquid contact. Absorption systems can have either aqueous or non-aqueous liquid phases. The
selection of the appropriate reagents depends upon the properties of the pollutant to be removed
from the gas stream.
Water is suitable for absorbing soluble acidic gases such as: hydrogen chloride and hydrogen
fluoride and also for absorbing ammonia. Alkaline solutions are suitable for absorbing less
soluble acidic gases such as sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide and chlorine. [Martin]
The gas absorber needs a liquid/gas interface of high surface area across which mass transfer
can occur. This is usually achieved using packing materials which are coated with liquid or by
droplet/bubble formation. The absorber design also has to provide a means for renewing the
liquid absorbent so that a high driving force for mass transfer is maintained.
Gas absorption is a rate process and consequently the concentration gradient (driving force for
the reaction) and the surface area of contact between the liquid and gaseous phase are crucial
design parameters. The surface area is determined by the packing material or droplet size. Gas
and liquid flow rates and pressure drop across the absorber influence the driving force, the
efficiency and in some cases the surface area (droplet formation). In the following sections the
principal wet scrubbing systems used in connection with scrubbing of waste gas from acid
pickling are described.
Packed Scrubbers (Figure D.5-4) consist of an outer shell containing a bed of packing material
on support grids, liquid distributors, gas and liquid inlets and outlets, and a mist eliminator.
Figure D.5-4: Principle of packed scrubbers

[ESCO 2]
The water is usually delivered to the top of the packing bed, and runs down, by gravity,
splashing over the packing, while the waste gas enters the bottom of the scrubber, and is washed
by the water as it passes upwards through the bed. With this countercurrent flow design, the
most contaminated gas contacts the most contaminated water at the bottom of the scrubber, and

the cleanest gas contacts the cleanest water at the top of the scrubber. Other designs are possible
in which the liquid and gas flows may be cocurrent or cross current. [ESCO 2]
To get even flow and good contacting of air and water, the water has to be distributed evenly
over the top of the packing bed - this is usually done by a distribution header, equipped with
spray nozzles. Also, to ensure that the gas can flow through the whole bed, the packing is held
up by a packing support. This packing support has to be open enough to allow the water and air
to pass through without creating too much pressure drop, while still being strong enough to hold
the packing up, even when it is dirty, and flooded with water. [ESCO 2]
A disadvantage of packed scrubbers is that, in order to function properly, the packing needs
quite a high water flow rate - about 200 gpm of water for 20000 cfm of air (equals 1.34 l/m3).
So, instead of using fresh water, most packed scrubbers have recirculation pumps, which pump
the water from the bottom of the scrubber to the top of the packing. A small, continuous flow of
water has to be added to the scrubber to purge the acid removed from the gas stream, through
the overflow. The disadvantages of this practice are: [ESCO 2]
· The pump requires maintenance.

· The water at the top of the packing is now contaminated, so the advantages of
countercurrent flow are no longer obtained.
· Any dirt in the water is pumped back into the packing, where it may separate and block the
distribution header or the packing. [ESCO 2].
Still, in comparison to plate scrubbers, packed scrubbers generate a large flow of low-
concentration acid.
Higher scrubbing efficiency can be obtained in packed scrubbers by increasing the depth of the
packing bed. [ESCO 2]
The packed scrubber's strengths are its simple construction, toleration of poor installation, and
ability to operate over a wide range of gas flow rates. However, to keep a packed scrubber
running at design efficiency (as opposed to just "running" i.e. having the air flow through it)
requires a significant maintenance effort to keep the circulating pump going, ensuring that the
water distribution on to the packing is even, and keeping the packing clean. [ESCO 2]
The conventional packed scrubber is a vertical tower, with the air flowing up, and the water
running down. A variation on this is the cross-flow scrubber (Figure D.5-5). In the cross-flow
scrubber, the waste gas flows horizontally through the packing, while the liquid still flows
down, across the flow of the waste gas. The basic set-up is the same as for conventional packed
scrubbers, and a circulating pump is still needed to keep the packing wet. [ESCO 2]
The advantage of the cross-flow scrubber is that it needs less head room, and the ducting is
usually simpler and less expensive than for a vertical scrubber. However, cross-flow scrubbers
are slightly less efficient than vertical counterflow at removing soluble gases. [ESCO 2]
An advanced type of cross-flow scrubber emulates the multi-stage scrubbing of a plate scrubber.
In this version there are several packed beds in series. Each bed has a separate water supply, or
circulation system, and may use a structured packing, rather than a random one. This advanced
type of scrubber has quite a high pressure drop, and is not currently used in pickling
applications. Random packed cross-flow units are widely used. [ESCO 2]

Figure D.5-5: Principle of a cross-flow scrubber

[ESCO 2]
Plate scrubbers (Figure D.5-6) consist of a vertical tower with several horizontal perforated
trays (sieve plates) stacked in it. Baffles are situated a short distance above the apertures in the
plates. Scrubbing liquid enters the top of the tower and flows along each of the trays successively.
Dirty gas enters the bottom of the tower and flows upwards, passing through the perforations in
the plates. The velocity of the gas is sufficient to prevent liquid seeping through the perforations.
[Martin]
Figure D.5-6: Principle of plate scrubbers

[ESCO 2]
The absorption efficiency can be increased by adding more plates to the absorber (increasing the
tower height) and by increasing the liquid flow rate. [Martin]
Because the water forms a pool on each plate, only a small flow of water is needed for efficient
contact. The flow is also needed to flush out dissolved fumes, and also to offset a little weeping
that occurs through the holes, due to surface tension effects. In general, recirculation pumps are

unnecessary on plate scrubbers, and these scrubbers operate in true countercurrent flow.
[ESCO 2]
Plate scrubbers are simple and have no moving parts, but require careful installation, to ensure
the plates are level, and steady air flow. [ESCO 2] They can be susceptible to plugging and
scaling, and are not suitable for foaming liquids. [Martin]
The plate scrubber's advantages are its low maintenance requirements, and once-through flow of
water, which is useful in making high strength solutions suitable for recycling into the pickling
tank. However, a plate scrubber needs careful installation (to level the plates), and has a limited
range of air flow variation. [ESCO 2]
All that is needed to keep a plate scrubber operating at design efficiency is the proper flow rate
of water to the top tray, and an air flow rate within the designed range. Reported water
consumptions ranged from 0.06 to 0.13 l/m3. [ESCO 2]
A key element of scrubbers – as shown above - is the demister (entrainment separator, mist
eliminator). This is a device that ensures that the air leaving the scrubber is as free as possible of
water droplets. [ESCO 2]
Demisters all work on the principle that air can change direction much more easily than water
drops. By guiding the air through a channel or maze with several changes of direction, the water
droplets are made to impact on a solid surface, where they build into larger drops, which are too
heavy to be carried by the air. [ESCO 2]
There are two main types of demister: knitted mesh and chevron baffles.
The knitted mesh type is simple to handle and install, and separates the water by agglomerating
it on fine plastic fibres. Its disadvantages are that it tends to remove dust, as well as water, and
the fine plastic fibres deteriorate in time. Eventually (3 - 5 years), the accumulated dust and
fibre debris plug up the demister, and it has to be replaced. [ESCO 2]
The chevron type of demister consists of a bank of parallel, S-shaped blades, through which the
gas passes - the water is removed by impact on the blade surface. This type of demister is not
susceptible to plugging, and has an almost unlimited life. [ESCO 2]
Both types of demister will remove over 99.99 % of the droplets created in wet scrubbers.
[ESCO 2]
In a fume filter (see Figure D.5-7), the air passes at low velocity through a compacted fibrous
bed. As it flows through, the droplets impact on the fibres, agglomerate, and eventually become
large enough to drain away by gravity. As this kind of filter also removes dust from the air, it
requires washing at regular intervals for cleaning. However, while packed and plate scrubbers
usually use several gpm of water on a continuous basis, the filter only uses 30 - 50 gal/day
(equals 114 – 190 l/d) for rinsing, and this water can be returned to the pickle tank ('no-effluent'
scrubber). [ESCO 2]

Figure D.5-7: Principle of fume filter

[ESCO 2]
D.5.4 Hydrochloric Acid Pickling
For HCl scrubbing, plate and packed scrubbers are both widely used and suitable devices, but
plate scrubbers have the advantage that they produce a small volume of fairly strong acid, which
can be returned to the pickle tank as recovered acid. This recovers the acid, which would
otherwise be wasted, and so reduces the cost of waste treatment. [ESCO 2]
One problem that can sometimes arise in HCI pickling is the formation of aerosols, very fine
droplets of liquid, that flow like a gas, but are already liquid. The particles will go right through
a conventional scrubber completely untouched. The reasons for formation of these aerosols are
not well understood, but they seem to appear if the exhaust gas from the pickle line is very
warm and is suddenly cooled, for example, by mixing with a colder stream of air. This will
usually only happen in high temperature strip lines which have very tight fume covers, or in
acid regeneration plants. [ESCO 2]
Process conditions should be design in such a way that the formation of HCl aerosols is
avoided. If this is not possible, installation of spraying zones or the use of high energy
scrubbers (such as a venturi), a cooling scrubber or an agglomerating filter is necessary. [ESCO
2], [Rituper-93]
Packed Scrubbers: achieve HCl emission levels of below 10 mg/m3 [Rituper-93]
D.5.5 Sulphuric Acid Pickling
Sulphuric acid tanks do not emit acid vapours, but they do generate very fine droplets - almost
aerosol size. These droplets are produced by the bursting of very fine hydrogen bubbles, which
are created in the pickling process by the action of the acid on the steel, at the surface of the
tank. These droplets are the acid fume which can be smelled near sulphuric pickling tanks.
[ESCO 2]
The droplets are not fine enough to be true aerosols, but are too fine to be removed in a
conventional entrainment eliminator. Removal of the droplets is a purely mechanical process -

the acid droplets have to impact on a surface, and be made to agglomerate until they are large
enough to separate from the air. Packed and plate scrubbers have been successfully used for
this purpose, and, in this application, cross-flow scrubbers are just as efficient as vertical
counterflow towers. Another device which has been used successfully for sulphuric acid
removal is the fume filter. [ESCO 2]
A combination of intensive spraying zone and droplets separator (demister) achieves H2SO4
emission levels of 5 – 10 mg/m3. [Rituper]
D.5.6 Electrolytic Pickling

D.5.7 Mixed Acid Pickling
Stainless steel is pickled in a mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acid. Nitric acid is a low-boiling
liquid, and hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a gas, like HCI; therefore these tanks emit vapours. In
addition, they discharge droplets, generated by the bursting of nitrogen oxide (NOx) bubbles -
however, these droplets are not so fine as the sulphuric droplets made in steel pickling, and are
less of a problem. [ESCO 2]
The nitric and HF vapours and droplets are easily removed in a packed or plate scrubber, using
a small throughput of water. [ESCO 2] However, if aerosols are present, the operation of an
intensive spraying zone may be required for an efficient aerosol precipitation. [DFIU]
The NOx gases are not easily removed, however, because they are not very soluble in water
(refer to Chapter D.6.8.3 – D.6.8.5 for NOx abatement). [ESCO 2]
A problem that can occur in HF scrubbers is scaling, caused by the deposit of insoluble calcium
fluoride. This is produced by the reaction of hard (calcium-bearing) water with the hydrofluoric
acid, and can plug up the packing, the outlet pipes, downcomers or re-circulation piping. The
best way to avoid this problem is to install a water softener to remove the calcium from the
supply to the scrubber. [ESCO 2]
D.5.8 NOx Reduction Measures for Mixed Acid Pickling
When stainless steel is pickled in mixed acid, the nitric acid reacts with the metal or metal
oxides and is reduced to nitrous acid (HNO2), which is, in turn, in equilibrium with a mixture of
nitrogen oxides.
2 HNO2 à NO2↑ + NO↑ + H2O
In the case of batch pickling operations (e.g. for stainless steel tube), pickling is carried out at
ambient temperature. Batch processes usually apply open tanks, where a lower temperature and
longer pickling times (e.g. 60 - 90 minutes) reduce the rate of emission of NOx fumes.
Coil, sheet or wire pickling, if carried out continuously, requires higher acid temperatures in
order to maintain an effective pickling result in short pickling times (ie usually 2 - 4 minutes).
As higher acid temperatures generates higher emissions of NOx fumes, closed tanks are
installed. The following NOx supression and reduction measures are available:

D.5.8.1 NOx Supression by Injection of Hydrogen Peroxide (or Urea)
The reaction between hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and NOx occurs in the aqueous phase, in
which NOx reacts with water to form nitrous acid (HNO2).
The HNO2 is relatively unstable and will readily decompose back to NO2, NO and H2O. The
NOx would ultimately be emitted from the process. However, the presence of H2O2 rapidly
oxidizes the HNO2 to the more stable HNO3, thus preventing the re-formation and emission of
NOx. This behaviour is detailed in the following chemical reaction equations:
NO2
4NO2 (g) à N2O4 (g) N2O4 (aq)
N2O4 (aq) + H2Oà HNO2 + HNO3
HNO2 + H2O2 à HNO3 + H2O
ie 2NO2 + H2O2 à 2HNO3
NO/NO2
2NO + 2NO2 à N2O3 (g) + N2O3 (aq)
N2O3 (aq) + H2O à 2HNO2
2HNO2+ 2H2O2 à 2HNO3 + 2H2O
ie NO + NO2 + 2H2O2 à 2HNO3 + H2O
NO
NO (g) à NO (aq)
3NO + 3H2O2 à 3NO2 (aq) + 3H2O
3NO2 (aq) + H2O à 2HNO3 + NO
ie 2NO + 3H2O2 à 2HNO3 + 2H2O
The key to the efficient usage of hydrogen peroxide in NOx suppression, by addition to the
pickling bath, lies in effective mixing.
When hydrogen peroxide is added to the pickling liquor containing both oxides of nitrogen and
transition metal ions, it will either oxidize the NOx, according to the chemistry outlined above,
or will itself undergo catalytic decomposition by reaction with the metal ions.
NOx suppression by H2O2 injection into a recirculation loop

Austenitic steels are generally endothermic in pickling character, while ferritic steels are
exothermic due to the differences in chemical composition. Therefore, some form of
temperature control is installed. The normal method is to incorporate a recirculation loop,
whereby the bath liquor is recirculated through either a heater or a cooler.
One method of effective mixing of H2O2 and the bath liquor is to inject the hydrogen peroxide
into the recirculated pickle liquor. The bath contents are pumped around a recirculation loop at a
rate of up to ten bath changes per hour. Hydrogen peroxide (35 %) is dosed into this loop at up
to 1 litre per minute, dependent upon the process conditions pertaining. A schematic diagram of
this operation is shown in Figure D.5-8.
Trials carried out have shown that NOx suppression efficiencies in excess of 90 % have been
achieved by this technique.

Figure D.5-8: Schematic for injecting H2O2 into pickling acid recirculation loop
[WireInd-10-97]
NOx suppression by H2O2 injection into the pickling bath via a sparge pipe
The capital cost of a new installation of a recirculation loop to a pickling bath can be high if a
static pickling bath is in operation. Therefore, an alternative method of H2O2 addition to the
pickling bath is to directly inject H2O2, into the pickling bath via a bifurcated sparge located in
the pickling bath. A simple sparge pipe, made from 30 mm Æ polypropylene tubing, with 3 mm
holes drilled at 150 mm intervals, is inserted into the bath. [WireInd-10-97]
Due to the large amount of insoluble scale which builds up in the pickling bath, the sparge pipe
is arranged with the holes pointing at 45 º downwards to the horizontal to minimize blockages.
The sparge pipe is positioned at the steel entry end of the bath, just beneath the moving steel
sheet, to prevent accidental collision with the sheet and also to use the constant movement of
the steel sheet as a method of effectively mixing the H2O2 into the pickling bath. A schematic
diagram of the sparge pipe system is shown in Figure D.5-9.
Trials carried out have shown that NOx suppression efficiencies in excess of 90 % have been
achieved using this technique. [WireInd-10-97]
Figure D.5-9: Schematic for injecting H2O2 into pickling baths via a sparge pipe
[WireInd-10-97]
NOx suppression by H2O2 injection into a spray pickling facility

A further example of NOx suppression using hydrogen peroxide is the one used for pickling of
stainless steel plate in a spray chamber. The nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid pickling liquor is

sprayed onto both sides of the stainless steel plate; the pickling liquor is then returned from the
spray chamber to the pickling holding tank, from where it is recycled to the spray chamber.
[WireInd-10-97]
A pilot trial was carried out at a facility by injecting hydrogen peroxide into the liquor
recirculation line immediately before it splits into two branches. It was found that more than
90 % of NOx emissions were suppressed within ten minutes of hydrogen peroxide being
introduced, indicating that the NOx suppression reaction took place at the site of NOx
generation. [WireInd-10-97] Other sources report NOx reduction by up to 70 % [fmp012].
NOx suppression by hydrogen peroxide has no adverse affect on stainless steel product quality.
[WireInd-10-97]
Advantages of NOx suppression by hydrogen peroxide

- Hydrogen peroxide converts NOx to nitric acid in-situ, and therefore reduces nitric acid
consumption, in some cases by 20 – 30 %.
- No major plant change is required.
- Existing hydrofluoric acid scrubber can be used with no neutralisation of the scrubber liquor
required, as the weak hydrofluoric acid solution formed can be returned to the process.
D.5.8.2 Nitric Acid-free Stainless Steel Pickling
In mixed acid pickling of stainless steel, the nitric acid contributes an acid and an oxidant to the
metal pickling process. Theoretically, therefore, the replacement of the acid contribution by
another acid, for example sulphuric acid, and the oxidant contribution with hydrogen peroxide,
will result in a nitric acid-free metal pickling solution.
Trials have been carried out at various steel mills in Europe, where this technology has been
successfully used for stainless steel pickling techniques. [WireInd-10-97]
These processes rely on the oxidizing nature of the ferric ion; the ferric ion content of the
pickling liquor is maintained at a minimum concentration of 15 g/l. This is achieved by the
introduction of an oxidizing agent to oxidize the ferrous iron (Fe2+) formed during the pickling
reaction to ferric iron (Fe3+).
The oxidizing agent chosen is normally hydrogen peroxide, as this does not introduce any
foreign ions into the pickling bath and the method of addition is essentially the same as that
used in NOx suppression techniques. This treatment can be used on all types of production
facilities, i.e. continuous or batch pickling. [WireInd-10-97]
The actions of HF/H2O2 mixtures on stainless steel are considerably less aggressive than that of
HF/HNO3 at high pickling temperatures (ca 50 – 60 ºC), although the reverse of this has been
shown when pickling has been carried out at ambient temperatures of approximately 20 – 25 ºC.
[WireInd-10-97]
Additives, such as nonionic surfactants and corrosion accelerators, are also added to the
pickling bath, to maintain pickling efficiency. Stabilisers are added, to prolong the life of the
hydrogen peroxide in the pickling bath. [WireInd-10-97]
Pilot trials which have been carried out have shown that the nitric acid-free pickling process has
a number of advantages when compared with the conventional nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid
process. [WireInd-10-97]

Reported advantages of hydrogen peroxide-based nitric acid-free pickling

· In certain cases, shorter pickling times.
· Reduced sludge formation.
· Longer bath life.
· Greatly reduced intergranular corrosion.
· Less aggressive pickling, which means reduced attack on the metal surface and reduced
weight loss of the steel.
- Reduced NOx emissions and nitrate effluent discharges (in fact, there is an overall
reduction in volume of effluent per tonne of product per bath).
- All effluents can be precipitated by lime treatment.
- Sometimes no major modifications are required to use the process in existing pickling
plants; with no major equipment required except for a simple control system.
- There is a reduction in product dissolution and a potential for an improvement in product
quality.
The hydrogen peroxide-based nitric acid-free pickling process can operate effectively at low
temperatures, therefore saving on heating costs compared with the conventional nitric
acid/hydrofluoric acid process, which is usually required to operate at approximately 60 ºC to
be effective. [WireInd-10-97]
D.5.8.3 Absorptive Scrubbing
Wet absorbers, as described in Chapter D.6.3, are used to abate NOx fumes from mixed acid
pickling. As NO and NO2 are insoluble or only partially soluble in water, other washing media,
such as NaOH, H2O2 or urea, are used.
The efficiency of NaOH absorbers depends on the NOx concentration and on the NO:NO2 ratio
in the waste gas. To achieve satisfactory reductions long oxidation times or multi-stage
scrubbers are necessary.
To enhance the efficiency of NOx abatement, two or more packed columns may be installed;
one part operated as a reduction column, the other as an oxidation column. The reduction
columns are operated countercurrently with NaOH and a reductant: sodium hydrosulphide
solution (NaHS). The reductant along with high pH reduces the NO2 entering the column
bottom to nitrogen and washes and neutralises any free acid that may be entrained in the gas
stream. Fresh NaOH and NaHS are added to the washing liquid based on pH value and the
oxidation reduction chemical potential (ORP). [LUDL]
The gas stream from the reduction column then enters the oxidation column where NO is
oxidized to NO2. The gas enters the column at the top and flows cocurrently with the oxidizing
solution (e.g. sodium chlorite - NaClO2) at low pH. The sodium chlorite forms chlorine dioxide
(ClO2) that oxidizes the NO. Fresh acid and NaClO2 are added based on pH and ORP. The
cycle of reduction and oxidation may be repeated to achieve sufficient NOx abatement rates.
[LUDL]
When H2O2 is used for scrubbing, the scrubbing liquor usually consists of a mixture of HNO3
and H2O2 at typical concentrations of 20 wt.-% and 0.5 wt.-% respectively. A benefit of using
H2O2 is that the by-product of the scrubbing process is nitric acid, instead of sodium nitrate
when using sodium hydroxide. This acid is recovered in usable concentrations and recycled
back to the pickling process. Thus not only is the sodium nitrate waste disposal cost eliminated
but the overall nitric acid consumption is reduced. [CITEPA]

D.5.8.4 Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)

èFor description refer to D.2.4.
D.5.8.5 Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR)

èFor description refer to D.2.5.
D.5.8.6 Comparison of NOx Reduction Methods for Mixed Acid Pickling
Table D.5-1 compares the different NOx reduction measures and an gives an overview of cost.

NOx Supression by Nitric Acid-free Absorptive Scrubbing Selective Catalytic Selective Non-Catalytic
Injection Stainless Steel Reduction Reduction
H2O2 Urea 1 Pickling 2 NaOH H2O2
Capital Costs low low high high very high
Variable costs high low low high low
HNO3 Consumption lower higher no influence lower no influence
NOx Reduction very high very high low very high very high
By-products recovered no problem difficult to discharge recovered no problem
Steel Surface Quality better 3 better 3 no influence no influence no influence
1 Comment: urea injection can lead to ammonia compounds in the effluent [Com2 CR]
2 Comment: only limited application [Com2 CR]
3 Comment: neither urea nor hydrogen peroxode injection give rise to better surface finish [Com2 CR]
Table D.5-1: Comparison of different NOx reduction measures for mixed acid pickling
(as reported in [CITEPA])

D.5.9 Free Acid Reclamation
D.5.9.1 Crystallization (H2SO4)
The sulphuric acid recovery process by crystallization is based on the solubility relations of
water, sulphuric acid and iron sulphate. Iron sulphate is more soluble at increasing temperatures
and crystallizes out of saturated solutions when being cooled. For the recovery of free sulphuric
acid from spent pickle from H2SO4 pickling lines, the heptahydrate crystallization process,
yielding FeSO4x7H2O, is usually applied in industry. With respect to the type of cooling, the
following heptahydrate crystallization processes for regeneration are available: crystallization
with indirect cooling, cyclone crystallization and vacuum cooling crystallization. The treatment
of spent pickle solution by crystallization avoids the need to neutralise free acid; furthermore
the iron is precipitated as heptahydrate and does not have to be neutralised either. With
crystallization processes a significant enhancement of the waste water releases and a reduction
of the salt load can be achieved. As an example, Figure D.5-10 shows the vacuum cooling
crystallization process.
2
1
7
1 1
Vakuum.ds4
1. Crystallizer 5. Thickener
2. Pre-cooler 6. Rotary screen
3. Acid co-condensator 7. Sulphate storage
4. Co-condensator
Figure D.5-10: Vacuum cooling crystallization process for H2SO4

[DFIU98]
D.5.9.2 Evaporative Recovery (HCl)
The evaporative hydrochloric acid recovery system is a forced circulation flash evaporator with
controlled two-stage condensation/separation. The spent acid solution is aggressively heated to
extract the acid and water from the spent waste. Only a concentrated ferrous chloride solution
remains.
The spent acid solution is to the recovery unit via a filter and a preheat exchanger, utilizing the
remaining heat of the acid and water vapours generated in the evaporative process. The
preheated spent acid solution then enters the evaporation section where it quickly loops through
the main heat exchanger and into the separator vessel where water and acid vaporise. Acid and

water vapour are continuously driven from the waste solution until the solution temperature
reaches about 110 ºC. At that temperature, the solution has reached saturation and is ready for
removal from the evaporator. A PLC (programmable logic controller) automatically adjusts the
rate of spent acid fed into the process and the volume of ferrous chloride concentrate removed
from the loop and stored in a holding tank. [Cullivan-IG-97]
Forced by the expanding vapours in the separator, the acid and water vapours are driven through
the feed exchanger and into the acid condenser. The condensing acid vapour combines with
some of the condensing water vapour as it descends through the acid condenser. The
concentration of the acid is controlled in this step to return the right quality to the pickling
process. The remaining water vapour is led into the water condenser where it is cooled and
scrubbed of any residual acid vapour. No vapours leave the system because the process cools
any remaining vapour to a condensate. The final condensate can be re-used, e.g. as rinse water
in the pickling process.
An optional heating loop added to the acid condensing section can provide a precise pickling
acid concentration. Since the recovered acid concentration typically ranges from five per cent to
15 per cent, this additional cost is usually not warranted. The recovered acid is strong enough
for pickling and is combined with a more concentrated mix of HCI when fresh make up acid is
added. [Cullivan-IG-97]
Figure D.5-11: Evaporative acid recovery

[Cullivan-IG-97]
The process is easy to operate. Since it has only a few moving parts and the acid vapours
essentially clean the system while it operates, downtime for maintenance of heat exchangers and

reactors has proven minimal. Normal maintenance includes changing filters, attending to pumps
and checking the boiler and cooling tower loops to ensure optimum performance.
[Cullivan-IG-97]
D.5.9.3 Retardation (HCl, H2SO4, HF/HNO3)
The principle of the process is based on the adsorption of free, undissociated acid to ion-
exchange resins as the dissolved metals pass through the resin bed. In backwashing with water,
the adsorbed acid is re-released because of the difference in osmotic pressure. Free-acid
recovery rates are about 80 – 90 % for hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid. The advantages of
the process are that it requires little apparatus and space. The energy requirement for the
regeneration process is confined to electrical energy. Electricity consumption varies between
approximately 0.25 and 0.40 kWh/kg of iron depending on throughput. The requirement for
demineralised water is approximately 1 m3/m3 of regenerated pickling solution. [Com D],
[Fichtner]
The use of the retardation process is feasible when acid consumption is at least about 40 l/h.
The average metal content in the pickling solution should not exceed 50 - 60 g/l. The resulting
waste consists of a metallic salt solution which, depending upon composition, can be utilized.
[Com D], [Fichtner]
D.5.9.4 Diffusion dialysis (HCl, H2SO4, HF/HNO3)
The diffusion dialysis process uses ion exchange membranes, which separate two different
liquids: the used acid and demineralised water. The concentration difference between the two
solutions is the motive power of this process. The special anion exchange membranes, having a
positive surface charge in their polymer structure, make the diffusion of dissociated acid
(anions) through the membrane possible, while the cations (metals) are held back by their
positive charge. The hydrogen ion is an exception in this case. Owing to its small size, it
diffuses- together with the anions - through the membrane. [OSMOTA]
The membranes are assembled in a membrane stack similar to a filter press with a usual specific
capacity of 0.5 - 2 l/hm2. The demineralised water and the used acid are led in countercurrent
through the cells in an alternating manner. The demineralised water adopts the free acid and the
resulting diffusate is recycled to the pickling process. The other part-stream - dialysate - is
mostly led to the neutralisation. In certain cases this part stream can also be recycled or
retreated. [OSMOTA]
For years, the process of diffusion dialysis has been used successfully for recovery of H2SO4,
HCl, HNO3 and HF. It is possible to extract 80 - 85 percent of free acids from used pickling
solutions and to recycle it in a purified form with about 5 percent metal pollution. [OSMOTA]
The membrane lifetime is normally 3 - 5 years, but it can be reduced by oxidizing substances
such as hydrogen peroxide, chromic acid, nitric acid with concentrations of over 20 % as well as
temperatures over 45 ºC and organic substances such as tensides, oils, grease, solvents or
cleaners. In most cases in which organic substances cause membrane fouling, a pre-treatment of
the raw solution with activated carbon does help. [OSMOTA]

water
to neutralization
M M M M M
Acid Acid Acid
Dissolved Dissolved Dissolved

Metal Metal Metal
Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid Acid
spent acid
from pickle bath
to pickle bath
recovered acid
M = membrane
Figure D.5-12: Principle of Diffusiondialysis

[Fichtner]
The advantages of the process are that it requires little apparatus and space and has low
operating costs. The energy requirement for diffusion dialysis is confined to electricity to run
the pumps. Electricity consumption per kg of removed iron varies between 0.1 and 0.23 kWh.
The requirement for demineralised rinse water is approx. 1 m3/m3 regenerated pickling solution.
Diffusion dialysis can be used when acid consumption is at least about 60 l/h. The average
metal content in the pickling solution should not exceed 50 - 60 g/l. [Com D], [Fichtner]
Further reported advantages of the process:

· Small energy requirement.
· Considerable reduction of fresh acid requirement, of neutralisation and deposition costs.
· Very low maintenance costs.
· Long membrane life.
· Short amortisation time [OSMOTA].

D.5.10 Acid Regeneration
D.5.10.1 Pyrohydrolyse
D.5.10.1.1 Fluidised Bed Process (HCl)
The basis of the process is the thermal decomposition of spent pickle liquor, which is converted
at high temperature in the presence of water vapour and oxygen into hydrochloric acid and iron
oxide:
4 FeCl2 + 4 H2O + O2 → 8 HCl + 2 Fe2O3 (1)
Figure D.5-13 shows the main sub-processes of the fluidised bed acid regeneration process. The
spent pickle liquor is pumped into a separating vessel and then concentrated in a Venturi loop
by hot gases from the reactor. A share of the concentrated pickle from this loop is continuously
fed into the fluidised bed of the reactor. Within the fluidised bed, which consists of iron oxide
granulate, acid and water are evaporated at a temperature of about 850°C and iron chloride is
converted into iron oxide and hydrochloric gas according to equation (1).
9
2
6
1 5 7
8
Fresh water
4 Rinsing water
Regen. pickling acid
Spent pickle
10
hclfluid.ds4
1. Fluidised bed reactor 6. Wet scrubber

2. Cyclone 7. Off-gas ventilator
3. Venturi-scrubber 8. Stack
4. Separating vessel 9. Mist eliminator
5. Absorber 10. Fan
Figure D.5-13: Fluidised bed HCl acid regeneration process

[DFIU98]
Growth and new formation of iron oxide grains in the fluidized bed are controlled so that a dust-
free granulated product is obtained with a grain size of 1 to 2 mm and a bulk density of about
3.5 t/m3. The granular product is discharged continuously from the bottom of the reactor, and
transported by a vibrating cooling chute and vibrating spiral conveyor to the oxide storage bin.

The hot off-gas from the reactor contains hydrochloric gas, overheated steam, combustion
products and small amounts of iron oxide dust, which is separated from the gas in a cyclone and
recycled to the fluidised bed. The off-gas is then cooled to a temperature of about 100°C in the
Venturi scrubber. The thermal energy of the hot off-gases is used to concentrate the spent
pickling liquour by evaporation before it is fed to the reactor. Very fine dust particles in the gas
stream are removed by scrubbing.
From the venturi scrubber, the cooled gas stream goes to the absorber, where hydrogen chloride
is absorbed adiabatically with rinse liquor from the pickling line and fresh water. The
hydrochloric acid thus produced has a concentration of approximately 18 wt-%. It is recycled to
the pickling plant or held in a storage tank. After passing through a scrubbing stage and a mist
collector, the off-gas is virtually free of hydrochloric acid and is released to the atmosphere.
The iron oxide granular product can be used as raw material in various industries. The most
important options are the production of magnetic materials (eg, hard and soft ferrites), iron
powder for the fabrication of sintered parts and welding electrodes, and as an additive for the
production of magnetic tapes, abrasives, tiles, glass, cosmetics and pigments.
The described fluidized bed hydrochloric acid regeneration can process spent pickle liquor of
any iron concentration. Even at the high iron concentration of preconcentrated pickle liquor, up
to 250 g/l, the pipes do not block. Furthermore, spent pickle liquor with a high content of sludge
(eg, from the pickling of high silicon steel) can be utilized without difficulty because of a
special design of injection equipment.
As the recovered acid is nearly Fe++ free, the recovery efficiency is considerably higher than
99 %, contrary to other regeneration processes, where up to 10 g/litre Fe++ can be expected.
[Rituper-1]
D.5.10.1.2 Spray Roasting (HCl, HF/HNO3 )
Another regeneration option for hydrochloric acid is the spray roasting process. The principle
of operation is similar for all roasting processes, but with some variation in equipment used. An
example is shown in Figure D.5-14. The pyrohydrolytic separation of iron chloride and water is
carried out at a temperature of about 450°C (temp of reaction Sidmar: 600 oC) in the spray
roasting reactor. The spent acid is fed to a venturi recuperator where the hot gases coming from
the reactor are cooled and the acid is pre-concentrated. The concentrate is then sprayed into the
directly fired reactor from above. Hot burn gases cause the fine droplets to evaporate as they
descend. The ferrous chloride is separated into hydrochloric gas and iron oxide by means of
steam and oxygen in the air according to the following reaction:
4 FeCl2 + 4 H2O + O2 → 8 HCl + 2 Fe2O3 (1)
The iron oxide thus formed is collected at the bottom of the reactor and conveyed pneumatically
to an oxide bin. The piled weight of the powder is about 0.3 - 0.4 t/m3. (0.48 – 0.6 Sidmar)This
oxide is a valuable raw material for the production of magnetic materials, i.e. hard and soft
ferrites.

Figure D.5-14: Spray roasting HCl acid regeneration process

[Karner-1]
The hydrochloric gas, steam and combustion gases are ducted via the pre-vaporiser to an
absorber. The resulting off-gas is subsequently cleaned by alkaline washing and is released via a
stack into the atmosphere. The generated iron oxide can be used for different purposes
according to its quality.
The gases containing HCI are absorbed in an adiabatic column where rinse water from the
pickling line can be used as absorption water. The generated hydrochloric acid (about 18 %) can
be returned to the pickling process. The off-gas from the absorption unit is subsequently cleaned
in a caustic scrubber with the addition of sodium thiosulphate, which results in pollutant
concentrations of less than 2 mg/m3 of HCl and free Cl2.
Because of the application of the iron oxide by-product in the ferrite industry, higher quality
demands on the oxide have arisen in recent years. Besides physical parameters such as specific
surface area, primary particle size and tap density, which are important for the solid state
reactions of the iron oxide with manganese, nickel and zinc oxide, the impurity level of the
oxide is critical. Therefore a preprocessing process was developed to produce ultra-pure iron
oxide with especially low contents of silicon, phosphorous and heavy metals such as chromium,
nickel or copper. The process flow sheet is shown in Figure D.5-15, presenting the following
process steps:
- Reduction of free acid and cementation of heavy metals by scrap.

- Increase of pH by ammonia addition.
- Partial oxidation of Fe2 + to Fe3+ leading to specific adsorption of Si and P to ferric and
aluminium hydroxide.
- Filtration to remove hydroxide sludge.

Figure D.5-15: Process flowsheet for the production of high purity oxides
[Karner-1]
The spray roasting process for the regeneration of mixed acids from stainless steel pickling is
quite similar to the one for hydrochloric acid, but it also includes an isothermal absorption step
and a tail-gas cleaning system using a catalytic converter for NOx. The spent pickle liquor
containing the fluoride complexes of iron, chromium, nickel and minor metals as well as free
hydrofluoric and nitric acid is first led to a pre-evaporiser, where it is partly evaporated by the
contact with hot gases from the reactor. The preconcentrated pickle liquor is fed into the reactor
via nozzles. Inside, the reactor decomposition reactions of the following type are taking place:
2 FeF3 + 3 H2O ® Fe2O3 + 6 HF

2 CrF3 + 3 H2O ® Cr2O3 + 6 HF
NiF2 + H2O ® NiO + 2 HF
In addition nitric acid is partly decomposed into nitrogen oxides:
2 HNO3® NO + NO2 +H2O + O2
The reactor is directly heated with burners using natural or other gases. The mixed metal oxide
is collected at the bottom of the reactor. The oxide is kept at 500 to 600 °C at the flat bottom of
the reactor to reduce the fluoride content below 1.5 %. This oxide is usually pelletized and can
be recycled to the EAF. [Karner-1], [Com-Karner]
The reactor off-gases, which contain water vapour, combustion gases, HF, HNO3 and NOx are
led to a two-stage absorption unit, where cooled recirculated acid is used for absorption.
Hydrogen peroxide is added to the second column in order to oxidize NO to NO2, which can be
absorbed more easily. Contrary to the hydrochloric acid regeneration, the absorption is carried
out isothermally, i.e. the liquid in the 2 columns is recycled and cooled in external heat
exchangers. In the columns, regenerated acid is produced which contains all of the free and
bound hydrofluoric acid and up to 85 % of the nitric acid. The regenerated acid is reused in the
pickling process. [Karner-1], [Com-Karner]

The off-gas after the absorption columns is first cleaned in an (alkaline) wet scrubber to remove
traces of HF and the tail gases, which still contain NOx from nitric acid are cleaned by a
selective catalytic reduction using NH3 or urea or ammonium compounds as a reducing agent.
The NOx is thus converted to harmless nitrogen and water. Figure D.5-16 shows the flowsheet
of such a spray roasting process for mixed acids (Pyromars process). [Karner-1], [Com-Karner]
Figure D.5-16: Spray roasting mixed acid regeneration process

[Karner-1]
D.5.10.2 Electrolytic Regeneration (HCl, H2SO4)
The electrolytic regeneration of acid is based on iron precipitation at the cathode of the
electrolytic cell and water splitting and acid reformation at the anode.
For HCl a recovery of free and iron-bond acid is possible but, simultaneously with the water
splitting at the anode, chloride gas is formed. This requires a waste gas extraction and waste gas
cleaning unit.
In regenerating H2SO4 an additional electrolyte (ammonia sulphate) is used and cathode and
anode are separated by an ion exchange membrane. Iron is precipitated on cathodic stainless
steel plates while sulphate ions in the anodic part re-form H2SO4 which can be recircled to the
pickling operation.
D.5.10.3 Bipolar Membrane (HF/HNO3)
Acid regeneration using bipolar membranes comprises a combination of processing steps. First,
the free acid is recovered, e.g. by diffusiondialysis. Then the remaining spent acid solution is
neutralised with potassium hydroxide (KOH), thus generating metal hydroxides and salts such
as potassium chloride (KCl) or -with mixed acids- potassium fluoride (KF). The metal
hydroxides are precipitated as sludge and further processed, e.g. dewatered. By thoroughly
washing the metal hydroxide sludge, virtually all chloride and fluoride is transferred into

solution. The KCl/KF-containing salt solution is then further concentrated by electrodialysis.

The generated water can be used for metal hydroxide sludge washing. [Fichtner]
The bipolar membrane process is an electrically driven membrane process similar to

electrodialysis in that it employs ion exchange membranes to selectively separate charged ions
in solution, but distinguished by the water splitting characteristics of a bipolar membrane.
[EC Haskoning]
The membranes are composed of two distinct layers of oppositely charged ion exchange
materials. Subjected to an electrical current, the cations in the salt solution (potassium) pass
through the cation exchange membrane into a parallel water flow; the anions (chloride, fluoride)
pass through the anion exchange membrane into another parallel water flow. Due to the bipolar
membrane, the water is continuously dissociated (split) into H+ and OH¯. With the anions and
cations of the salt solution, acid and base, in this case KOH, are generated. The acid is recycled
to the pickling process; the KOH is recycled to the neutralisation step. [Fichtner]
Acid Base
H+
Anode M+ Cathode
M+
+ -
X-
X-
H+
OH- OH-
BipM AEM CEM BipM
Salt
BipM = bipolar membrane CEM =cation exchange membrane AEM = anion exchange membrane
Figure D.5-17: Principle of Salt Splitting by Bipolar Membranes

[Fichtner]
D.5.10.4 Evaporation Process (HF/HNO3)
In this evaporation process, the spent pickling acids are concentrated together with sulphuric
acid at 80 °C under vacuum to drive off HNO3 and HF which are condensed and recycled. The
precipitated metal salt is neutralised with Ca(OH)2-slurry.
The spent pickling acids are fed to a vacuum evaporator together with circulating sulphuric
acid. In the vacuum evaporator the mixed acid is heated to 80 °C. Make-up sulphur acid is
added to such an extent that the concentration of at least 60 % is reached. This concentration
ensures a high yield of recovered pickling acids. Metal fluorides and nitrates forms metal
sulphates and liberated acid. These reaction products build up according to the following
reactions:

2 FeF2+ + 2 NO3- + 3 H2SO4 ó Fe2(SO4)3 + 4 HF + 2 HNO3

2 CrF2+ + 2 NO3- + 3 H2SO4 ó Cr2(SO4)3 + 4 HF + 2 HNO3
NiNO3+ + NO3- + H2SO4 ó NiSO4 + 2 HNO3
The water, HF and HNO3 are vaporized and condensed. The overflow of the condenser is led to
the product tank.
The metals form sulphate chain complexes in the strong sulphur acid solution, which cause
incomplete crystallization of the metal sulphates. These complexes are decomposed by raising
both the temperature and the H2SO4 concentration, which leads to the precipitation of the metals
and to evaporation of acid (HF and HNO3) residues. This heat treatment occurs in a submerged
combustion evaporator.
A long residence time in the evaporation-crystallization circuit also improves the filtering
properties of the sulphate salt formed at a temperature of 80 °C. The sulphate slurry from the
crystallizer tank is pumped to the cone thickener. The underflow of the thickener is led to the
press filter to separate metal sulphate cake. The filtrate is returned to the crystallizer. The
sulphate cake is fed into the neutralising reactor. In the reactor the cake is mixed with lime.
The heat treatment is done in a submerged combustion evaporator. The combustion gases are
ducted down below the liquor surface through a dip tube. The sulphur acid concentration of
80 % is reached at 150 °C. The combustion gases are washed using a venturi scrubber to
recover HF and HNO3 acids. This solution is combined with the main pickling acid stream,
which is condensed in the vacuum evaporator stage. The underflow of the submerged
evaporator is led to the crystallizer tank.
A very positive fact is that the process barely changes the fluoride and nitrate concentration
levels in the recovered acids. A slight increase of the concentrations is obtained, which ensures
a proper water balance of pickling lines.
The process equipment has to be constructed using high quality materials. Special corrosion-
resistant steel grades and fluorocarbon polymers have found extensive use as construction
materials for the process equipment. The flowsheet of the Outokumpu Pickling Acid Recovery
process is presented in Figure D.5-18.

HF , HNO3
Pickling Vacuum Absorber

evaporator Condencer
HF, HNO3 , Me
H2SO4 MeSO4
H2SO4
Chrystallizer
Slurry heat-
treatment
H2SO4
Thickener
H2SO4
Metal sulphate
Metal sulphate separation
filter cake
Figure D.5-18: Evaporation Process for Mixed acid Regeneration [Com2 Fin]
D.5.10.5 Overview of Regeneration and Recovery Processes
The following Table D.5-2 gives an overview of the available acid regeneration and acid
reclamation techniques.

Processes for recovery and regeneration of spent acids from HCl pickling plants
Pyrohydrolysis Retardation Dialysis Electrolytic oxidation Electrolytic Fe-precipitation Chemical oxidation Ion exchange
1. Principle of process. Regeneration Recovery of free HCl Recovery of free HCl Transformation of Regeneration of HCl Transformation of FeCl2 Recovery of free HCl acid
FeCl2 to FeCl3 Electrolysis to FeCl3
2. Other products Iron-oxides - - FeCl3 Ferrous shots FeCl3 FeCl3
Waste for disposal - Acidic FeCl2 solution Acidic FeCl2 solution - - -
3. Regeneration rate > 99 % For neutralisation For neutralisation > 95 % > 95 % > 95 %
total acid
free acid 75 - 90 % 75 - 90 % 50 - 70 %
4. Input for regeneration - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy
- Natural gas - VE-water - VE-water - muriatic acid - HCI + air or Cl2 or HCI - VE-water
- Fresh- and waste-water + H2O2 - Oxidation agents as for
chemical oxidation
5. Field of application l/h > 300 > 40 > 60 > 20 > 20 > 20 > 40
6. Complexity of High Low Medium Low Medium Medium High
installation
7. Required space Big Small Medium Small Small Medium Medium
8. Benefit / cost ratio High Medium Medium Medium Medium Low Low
1 ca. 250 ca. 15 ca. 5 2 ??? ??? 1
9. # plants
Processes for recovery and regeneration of spent acids from H2SO4 pickling plants
Crystallization (indirect Retardation Dialysis Electrolytic oxidation Process with HCI and Crystallization and Precipitation with
cyclone- or vacuum- pyrolysis roasting solvents
cooling)
1. Principle of process Recovery of free H2SO4 Recovery of free H2SO4 Recovery of free H2SO4 Regeneration Regeneration Regeneration Recovery of free H2SO4
2. Other products FeSO4; 7H2O - - Ferrous shots Iron-oxide Iron-oxide Iron-oxide
Waste for disposal (If Cr, Ni, Zn present) Acidic FeSO4 for Acidic FeSO4 for - - - (If Cr, Ni, Zn present)
neutralisation neutralisation
3. Regeneration rate > 99 % > 95 % > 95 %
total acid
free acid > 99 % 80 - 90 % 75 - 85 % > 99 %
4. Input for regeneration - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy
- Steam - VE-water - VE-water - Additional electrolyte - Natural gas - Steam - Steam
- Cooling water in loop - Cooling water - Natural gas - Cooling water
- HCl in loop by fresh- and - Cooling water - Solvent in loops
rinsing water - Fresh and waste water
5. Field of application l/h > 200 > 40 > 60 > 20 > 500 > 500 > 200
6. Complexity of Medium/ high Low Medium Medium High High High
installation
7. Required space Medium/ big Small Medium Medium Big Big Medium
8. Benefit / cost ratio Medium Medium Medium Medium Low Low Low
1 ca. 80 ca. 30 ca. 5 2 1 1 n.a.
9. # plants
Table D.5-2: Overview of regeneration and reclamation processes
(as submitted by [DFIU99])

Processes for recovery and regeneration of spent acids from HNO3 / HF pickling plants
Solvent extraction Retardation Dialysis Crystallization Pyrohydrolysis Bipolar Outokumpu process 2 Kawasaki
membranes process
1. Principle of process Total regeneration Regeneration of free Regeneration of free Regeneration of free Total regeneration Total regeneration Total regeneration Total regeneration
acids acids acids
2. Regenerate / reg. acid Total HNO3 and HF Free HNO3 and HF Free HNO3 and HF Free HNO3 and HF Total HNO3 and Total HNO3 and Total HNO3 and HF Total
HF HF HNO3 and HF
3. Other products - Metal fluorides Metal oxide Metal hydroxides Ni(OH) 2 Ironoxide
Waste for disposal Metallic salt solution Metallic salt solution Metallic salt solution Metal hydroxides Metallic salt solution
3. Regeneration rate HNO3 80 - 95 % HNO3 80 - 90 % HNO3 90 - 95 % HNO3 > 97 % HNO3 75 - 90 %
total acid HF 50 - 65 % HF 90 - 99 % HF 90 - 97 % HF 99 % HF 85 - 95 %
free acids HNO3 80 - 95 % HNO3 85 - 95 % HNO3 80 - 95 %
HF 80 - 90 % HF 80 - 90 % HF 50 - 55 %
4. Input for regeneration - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy - Electrical energy
- H2SO4 - VE-water - VE-water - Cooling water - Natural gas - Caustic potash - H2SO4 in loop- - Extraction agents
- Cooling water - Cooling water solution in loop - Propane TBP und D2EHPA in
- TBP in loop - Fresh- and waste - Diatom earth - Limestone loop
- Activated carbon water - Steam - NH4HF2 in loop
- H2O2 or similar - Cooling water - Natural gas,
- Freshwater
5. Field of application l/h >300 >40 >60 >300 >500 >100 4500 >1000
6. Complexity of Medium Low Medium Medium High High Medium Very high
installation
7. Required space Medium Small Medium Medium Large Medium Medium Very large
8. Benefit / cost ratio Medium Medium Medium Low Medium Medium Medium Medium
1 2 ca. 30 ca. 5 1 2 2 2 1
9. # plants
1
world-wide, as at 1990, production and pilot plants
2
Source of data [Com2 FIN]
Table D.5-2 cont.: Overview of regeneration and reclamation processes (as submitted by [DFIU99])

D.5.11 Treatment of Acidic Waste / Waste Water
D.5.11.1 Neutralisation of Acidic Waste Water
Acidic waste water from rinsing, from fume absorbers of the pickling tank exhaust system or
from flushing (plant cleaning) that can not be reused elsewhere in the plant, neutralised (e.g.
with alkaline waste waters from other plant operations) and treated prior to discharge to reduce
the emissions. Dissolved metal ions are transformed into hydroxides or sparingly soluble salts
and subsequently eliminated by sedimentation, in many cases by adding flocculants. The
precipitated metal sludge is de-watered in filter presses and disposed of.
Neutralisation (of spent pickling baths) generates a large quantity of sludge. The sludge, mainly
consisting of iron hydroxide and water, can be recycled for iron production as long as it is not
contaminated by unacceptable metals (e.g. zinc) or by other constituents. Care should be taken
to avoid mixing of waste water streams or sludges which can make recycling difficult.
Neutralisation can also create large amounts of neutral salts (e.g. NaCl, CaCl2, Na2SO4, CaSO4),
most of which are very soluble in water and are discharged with the treated water. Removal is
only possible by very special, and in most cases uneconomical, treatment (reverse osmosis,
electrodialysis or evaporation followed by ion exchange and concentrate evaporation with salt
drying). Even if these salts are removed, their mixed composition limits re-use and disposal to
landfill may be restricted by their solubility. [EUROFER CR]
A distinction has to be made between neutralisation sludges from stainless steel pickling and
from carbon steel pickling. The sludge resultanting from neutralisation of mixed acid wastes is
usually landfilled, as it cannot be recycled. [Com2 CR]

D.6 HEATING OF PROCESS LIQUORS (ACID,

EMULSIONS…)
Heating of process liquors may be necessary at several stages in ferrous metals processing, e.g.
for heating acid baths, for emulsion splitting or for reducing/evaporating waste water. In
principle two techniques are available: heat exchangers and submerged combustion
(immersion gas burner). The formerly applied technique of steam injection (e.g. for heating acid
baths), is not considered here as it leads to unnecessary dilution of process baths. The principles
of both, heat exchanger and submerged combustion, are shown in Figure D.6-1 and
Figure D.6-2.
In heat exchangers the heating media and the liquid to be heated are separated by a partition and
no mixing (or contamination) takes place. With immersion gas burners the heating media, hot
flue gas, is blown directly into the liquid to be heated and both are mixed. Either heating
technique has advantages and disadvantages and application depends to some extent on the
individual situation of a plant.
Where waste heat is available in the form of steam or in the form of another heating medium
with a lower temperature, heat exchangers are commonly used. Several designs of heat
exchangers exist, tube or plate, and depending on the chemical properties of the product to be
heated and/or the heating media, high quality material has to be used. Heat exchangers need
large surfaces to achieve the heat transfer.
If fuel gas is readily available or steam has to be produced first, it might be sensible to use a
burner to heat the liquid directly and thus increase the thermal efficiency. Disadvantages are
that the product may be contaminated with CO2, SO2, NOx etc., which could cause problems,
and that portions of the product (e.g. acid vapour, droplets) may be carried out with the flue gas,
making a waste gas treatment necessary. [VOEST]
Figure D.6-1: Principle of heat exchangers

[VOEST]

Figure D.6-2: Principle of submerged combustion

[VOEST]
Some advantages of submerged combustion were reported, beside financial savings, reduced
energy consumption and acid consumption were claimed.

D.7 FLUXING
D.7.1 On-site Regeneration of Flux Baths (Iron Removal)
During operation the iron concentration in a flux solution is increased. At a certain level, the
flux solution becomes unusable. In order to be able to recirculate the solution, the iron content
needs to be removed. This can be done continuously or in batch operation.
D.7.1.1 Iron Removal Using Ammonia and H2O2 Oxidation
By means of addition of ammonia (for pH adjustment) and H2O2 (oxidant), iron is precipitated
as Fe(OH)3 and NH4Cl is produced according to the reactions:
HCI + NH4OH ® NH4Cl + H2O

2FeCl2 + H2O2 + 4NH4OH ® 2Fe(OH)3 + 4NH4Cl
The precipitated iron hydroxide sludge is withdrawn and disposed of.
Fluxing bath
ZnCl 2 + NH4Cl
Hydrogen peroxide
Reactor
Ammonium water
Purified flux Sludge thickener
Filter press Sludge tank
Filter cake
Figure D.7-1: Flow sheet for flux regeneration

[DK-BAT-93]
Zinc, initially present in solution or introduced by the workpieces impregnated with solution
from the rinsing or pickling baths, remains as ZnCl2.
Normally, the ratio of NH4Cl/ZnCl2 produced is higher than the ratio required by most
galvanizers and the amount of salt produced is not sufficient to compensate for the consumption
of flux. This can be corrected by addition of depleted pickling or de-zincing solution, which
increases the production of fluxing salts. Another option to influence the NH4Cl/ZnCl2 ratio of
salts produced, is to pre-react the depleted pickling or the de-zincing solution with dross or ash;
thus producing ZnCl2 instead of NH4Cl:
2HCl + Zn (dross) ® ZnCl2 + H2

2HCl + ZnO (ash) ® ZnCl2 + H2O

Automated pH and redox controls allow for a selective iron precipitation (about 50 % iron in the
solids) and a low oxidizing potential, avoiding the destruction of any organic additive in the
flux. To obtain maximum thickening and filtration efficiency, a selective flocculant is added to
the pulp in the flocculator, resulting in a high settling rate of solids, excellent clarity of the
overflow and improved filtration characteristics of the underflow. A solid content of the press-
filter cake of around 50 % is achievable.
It is possible to generate flux solution with a composition required by the galvanizer. For an
optimum composition of the flux, zinc chloride or ammonium chloride additions may be
required. [DK-BAT-93]
D.7.1.2 Iron Removal Using Electrolytic Oxidation
The electrolytic oxidation process consists of a reactor module or series of reactor modules for
the electrolytic oxidation of dissolved iron and a set of sedimentation tanks for the removal of
precipitate from the process stream. A schematic flow diagram is shown in
Figure D.7-2: Schematic of the electrolytic oxidation process

[Choice/Barr-IG-94]
As flux solution passes through the reactor, ferrous iron (II) is oxidized to ferric iron (III). The
ferric iron (III) is precipitated as hydroxide. This is accompanied by the generation of acid. As
a result of these changes, the concentrations of dissolved iron and acid capacity in the stream
leaving the reactor are lower than in the entering stream. Because of this, and because work
continues to import rinse water or pickle solution to the main flux tank, the iron and acid
capacity in the recirculation tank are lower than in the main flux tank. The relationship between
the iron concentrations in the two tanks depends on a number of factors but, in practice, the
concentration in the recirculation tank can be brought down to near zero grams per litre and
steady concentrations in the main tank of less than 2 grams per litre can be achieved easily,

while concentrations of 1 gram per litre or lower can be achieved with careful operation.
[Choice/Barr-IG-94]
· the system is based on a chloride balance and all the chloride carried over from the rinse
tank to the flux tank is utilized in the generation of zinc ammonium chloride make-up
· iron is removed
· no waste water treatment is necessary,
· promotion of the rinse water to the acid tanks allows a significant saving in acid costs
· water input and costs are minimized [Choice/Barr-IG-94]
Sourcing spare parts for the equipment was reported as a potential problem as the supplier is
based in Australia. [Com2 EGGA]
D.7.1.3 Iron Removal Using Ion Exchange Columns
The ion-exchange process uses resin to absorb the iron. As this process is sensitive to solid
particles, the flux solution is filtered first. This can be done with a standard plate-filter. By
adding concentrated NaOH, the pH is set to the required pH value. The neutralisation unit is
continuously stirred to create a homogeneous solution. The solution is then pumped through the
ion-exchange column where iron is absorbed by the resin. After leaving the column, the liquid
is returned to the rinse/flux bath. When the resin is saturated with iron, it must be stripped and
regenerated. The stripping/regeneration solution is pumped from a storage vessel through the
column into another vessel. An exchange of iron and acid takes place in the column. Iron is
dissolved in the HCl, while the acid is absorbed by the resin. [Sprang-IG-97]
D.7.2 External Reutilization of Spent Flux Baths
D.7.2.1 NH3 Removal, Precipitation and Partial Reuse for New Flux
Production
D.7.2.2 H2O2 Oxidation, Total Reuse for New Flux Production


D.8 RINSING
D.8.1 Efficient (multiple) Use of Rinsing Water
Figure D.8-1 shows the variety of rinsing techniques available; ranging from out-dated flow
rinsing to sophisticated combined rinsing systems. The associated water consumptions are
listed in Table D.8-1. Due to the high water consumption of flow rinsing, this technique is no
larger acceptable. Multiple (cascade) use of rinse water and static rinse tanks result in
sufficiently high concentrations in the rinse water to allow for the reuse in preceding process
baths or to allow for regeneration or reclamation measures applied to the process baths to be
applied to the rinse water as well.
Figure D.8-1: Rinsing systems

[Rituper93]

Concentration in pickle bath 100 200 600

[g/l]
Residual concentration in last rinse bath 5 10 20 50 5 10 20 50 5 10 20 50
[mg/l]
Rinse criteria 2 104 104 5 103 2 103 4 104 2 104 104 4 103 1.2 105 6 104 3 104 1.2 104
3
Rinse system Number of Baths Rinse water consumption [m /h] Rinse water consumption [m3/h] 3
Rinse water consumption [m /h]
Flowrinse 1 2000 1000 500 200 4000 2000 1000 400 12000 6000 3000 1200
2-step cascade 2 14.1 10 7.1 4.5 20 14.1 10 6.3 34.6 24.5 17.3 11
3-step cascade 3 2.7 2.1 1.7 1.3 3.4 2.7 2.1 1.6 5.0 4.0 3.1 2.3
4-step cascade 4 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.7 l.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.0
Static and flow rinse 2 400 200 100 40 800 400 200 80 2400 1200 600 240
Static rinse 3 6.3 4.5 3.2 2.0 9.0 6.3 4.5 2.9 15.5 11.0 7.7 4.9
2-step cascade
Static rinse 4 1.6 1.3 1.0 0.7 2.0 1.6 1.3 0.9 2.9 2.3 1.8 1.3
3-step cascade
Spray rinse 1 9.9 9.2 8.5 7.6 10.6 9.9 9.2 8.3 11.7 11.0 10.3 9.4
Efficiency 100 %
Spray rinse 1 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.6 3.6 3.3 3.1 2.8 4.0 3.7 3.5 3.2
Efficiency 30 %
Note: carry-over 100 l/h
Table D.8-1: Comparison of water consumption for different rinsing systems

[Rituper93]

D.8.2 Treatment of Rinsing Water
Ion exchange, electrolytic iron removal, reverse osmosis, oxidizing iron removal
D.9 PROCESS WATER AND WASTE WATER TREATMENT
D.9.1 Treatment of Oil- and Scale-bearing Process Water
In most cases coarse scale is captured close to the spot where it arises by scale pits, small
gravity separators, to prevent installations from damage, e.g. if it is necessary to transport the
scale-loaded water by pumps. Scale pits can reduce the content of suspended solids in the waste
water (load of 20 - 40 m3/(m2h)) from 200 - 800 mg/l to 60 - 100 mg/l. The advantage of
decentralised scale arresting is that there is no sedimentation in the flume channels and less
corrosion takes place.
For further coarse cleaning (intermediate cleaning), the water is usually physically treated in
settling tanks to separate coarse scale and hydrocarbons. Different designs are available, e.g.
vertically and horizontally flown settling tanks. Figure D.9-1 and Figure D.9-2 depict examples
of gravity separators.
The basic principle of these separators is that coarse particles settle on the bottom of the basin
by gravity, while the major part of the oil dispersed in the water rises to the surface. The water
is discharged via an outlet equipped with a submerged barrier in front to prevent the oil floating
on the surface from being discharged with the purified water. The deposited sediments are
usually conveyed to a sump by scrapers where they can be removed by excavators or pumps.
4 2 6
5
3
7
8
1
round.ds4
1 Waste water inlet 5 Clear water collecting pipe

2 Distribution cylinder 6 Clear water outlet
3 Reservoir 7 Sludge reservoir
4 Clear water spill-over 8 Ground scraper
(suction pipes for sludge removal are not indicated)
Figure D.9-1: Circular Settling Tank (vertical)

[DFIU98]

settling.ds4
1 Waste water inlet 4 Clear water outlet

2 Useful space for sedimentation 5 Sludge scraper
3 Sludge reservoir
Figure D.9-2: Horizontal Flow Settling Tank

[DFIU98]
The achievable reduction depends on tank size, particle size distribution, addition of
flocculating agents and oil content. Settling tanks can reduce suspended solids from 40 - 80
mg/l down to 20 - 35 mg/l (load 4 - 15 m3/(m2h)).
Other types of gravity separators are screw-type clarifier (or screw-type dewaterer) and
lamella separator. Compared to settling basins they have a more compact construction. In
lamella separators (Figure D.9-3) the incoming water is led over a number of inclined plates
(lamellas). The settling distance is much shorter. The settlements are forced down along the
plates by gravity, while the oils move upwards along the underside of the plates and can be
collected by skimming mechanisms. The purified water is discharged through an outlet, which
is separated from the basin by a submerged barrier. The sediment is discharged from the bottom
e.g. via a screw, which is also separated from the main basin by a submerged barrier.
Screw-type clarifiers (see Figure D.9-4) are basically settling tanks with an inclined bottom.
The solids settling by gravity are transported out of the separator by a rotating screw, partially
submerged in the sediment.
Figure D.9-3: Schematic of a lamella separator

[Fichtner]

Figure D.9-4: Screw-type clarifier

[BSW-WWT-90]
In centrifugal separators the scale particles are pressed to the wall by the flow. On the wall of
the separation chamber, the scale particles glide slowly downward to the collecting chamber.
When the collecting chamber is full, automatic elutriation starts. A disadvantage of this method
is the fact that oil separation is not possible.
Oil floating on water surfaces is removed by oil skimmers. The oil adheres to an endless strip
or hose, which is immersed in the basin. Together with this strip or hose the oil is transferred to
a funnel outside of the basin where it is skimmed from the strip. A wheel can also be used
instead of the endless strip.
Fine cleaning can be carried out in gravel- or sand filters (Figure D.9-5). The water flows
through the filter medium from the top to the bottom. Thus large amounts of scale, sludge and
oil are retained. Depending on the cleaning system these filters can remove all particles carried
by the water down to a grain size of 1 micron. The cleaned but still thermally loaded water is
cooled in cooling towers in order to achieve the right temperature for re-circulation. Gravel and
sand filters need to be cleaned in order to remove particles and hydrocarbons. The filters are
backwashed after a fixed period or when a defined filter resistance has been reached.
Backwashing is performed with water or air. The required volume of backwash water amounts
to about 1 – 3 % of the cleaned water.
Some sand filters are operated with continuous backwashing. Here the water flows through the
filter medium from the bottom to the top. The sand is continuously transported upwards and
constantly washed. The purified sand falls on top of the clean sand bed.
The backwash water is usually highly contaminated and is either treated in the pre-cleaning
units, if necessary under addition of flocculating agents; or is treated separately in special
sludge treatment units.
For treatment of backwashing water from the sand filters, the water is thickened in a
thickener by adding flocculents and applying sedimentation techniques. The flocculent is added
and mixed with the backwash water in a pre-reaction chamber. In the central chamber the
sludge settles down. The purified water is discharged through an indented weir and is returned

to a sand filter system. By means of a scraper the sludge is transported to the sludge sluice,
where it is discharged.
If the arising sludge contains too much water, a press can be used for further dewatering. Such a
press can be designed as a chamber filter press, a membrane filter press or a solid bowl
centrifuge. The filtered water is recirculated to the thickener. [EUROFER HR]
Figure D.9-5: Example of a gravel filter with indication of backwash operation

[Theobald]
Another option for fine cleaning the pre-cleaned waste water is filters that consist of
cylindrical, wire-netting filtering elements (see Figure D.9-6).
Figure D.9-6: Example of wire-netting filters with indication of backwash operation

[Theobald]

Operation cycles of these filters are divided into:

· starting phase during which a layer of filtration aid is built up on the fine meshed filters
· filtering phase during which further filtration aid is added to keep the filtrate and sludge
layer permeable
· backwashing phase during which the filters are cleaned by reversing the flow direction.
Sludges obtained from backwashing can be dewatered directly and require special treatment
prior to reuse (e.g. in the sinter plant) only if they have a high oil contents. [Theobald]
For a more efficient intermediate cleaning and enhanced separation of scale and oil, so-called
aerated fine scale-traps have been developed as shown in Figure D.9-7. These combine the
principles of sedimentation and flotation. The solids settle on the bottom and are removed by
scrapers, while the air blown in (air bubbles) enhances the flotation of the oil.
Oil
separation-
zone
Air inlet pipe row
Ground scrapper
Figure D.9-7: Aerated fine scale-trap

[DFIU 98]
Furthermore, the oil adsorbed by the fine scale is 'washed off' by agitation. Due to the better
separation of oil and scale and the lowered oil content of the scale, the recycling options are
improved. With retaining times of 15 to 30 minutes and loads of 15 - 20 m3/(m2h), aerated fine
scale-traps can achieve reduction rates of 99 % for particles > 63 mm and 20 - 80 % for particles
sized 31 - 63 mm (depending on the particle size distribution). [DFIU98], [Theobald],
Inlet Outlet Reduction

[mg/l] [mg/l] [%]
Suspended solids 32.3 25.8 20.1
Settleable Solids 95.5 44.2 53.7
Fe total 43.5 24.6 43.4
Hydrocarbons 1 2.0 1.3 35.0
Note: Source of data [StuE-111-3]
1
Determined according to DIN 38 409, part 18, 1981
Table D.9-1: Example of achieved emission levels for aerated fine scale-traps

Reducing oil and grease content by using areated fine scale-traps as a precleaning device up-
stream of gravel or sand filters, can improve the operation of the filters. The backwashing
intervals are increased as the particle load is reduced and clogging of filters due to oil and
grease is minimized. [UBA-Kloeckner-82]
Mill scale has a high magnetic susceptibility and can thus be removed by magnetic filtration
(see example in Figure D.9-8). A coil creates a magnetic field in which the steel casing of the
filter and a matrix of filament material are also magnetised (amplification); due to the high
gradients small ferromagnetic particles such as mill scale fines are attracted.
Figure D.9-8: Magnetic filtration (example high gradient MF)

[Svedala]
D.9.2 Cooling Systems and Cooling Water Treatment
In order to run cooling water in closed loops and thus reduce the water consumption, the
cooling water has to be re-cooled and treated.
Cooling is done either by evaporation in cooling towers, heat exchangers or hybrid cooling
towers. In pressure-cooled counterflow cooling towers, the water to be cooled is sprayed on
grids in the cooling tower cells and flows over blocks into the cooling tower tray. Fans arranged
laterally or on top draw in ambient air which passes the water in counterflow. Thus cooling is
achieved by evaporation of water. The cooling efficiency is controlled by means of the air
volume. Desalting is controlled via a measurement of the electrical conductivity. If required, the
necessary amount of dispersants, sodium hypochlorite and biocide (prevention of growth of
bacteria and fungi) and acid or alkali (pH-value) is added. [EUROFER HR]
In plate heat exchangers, plates with through-flow channels are screwed to a package. From
each plate, alternatively hot waste water and cold cooling water is pumped through these
channels. The heat is transferred via the plate wall. [EUROFER HR]

In hybrid cooling towers, a plate heat exchanger is installed in the upper part of the tower. In
the lower part, the water is cooled by evaporation. Due to the heat exchanger, the air with
100 % moisture is heated and condenses as fog some time later and with less intensity.
In the planning and installation of circuit-type water treatment plants with cooling towers, the
geographical situation of the respective mill has to be taken into consideration. Due to the water
evaporation in the recooling process, climatic conditions can be affected by the constant
formation of fog and by so-called industrial snow, especially in central Europe. [EUROFER
HR]

ANNEXES
Annex I. Monitoring ............................................................................................................................471
Annex II. Legislation ............................................................................................................................473
Glossary ..............................................................................................................................................483
References ..............................................................................................................................................487

Annexes
ANNEX I. MONITORING
On issues specific to the ferrous metals processing sector, it was reported during the 2nd TWG
meeting that there are difficulties in measuring acid fumes (especially HF and in low
concentration ranges) and on measuring fugitive emissions.
It was also mentioned that for discontinuous sampling, the sampling period and number of
samples taken should be sufficient to demonstrate that the results are reflective of the actual
performance.
No further information on monitoring was submitted.

Annexes
ANNEX II. LEGISLATION
No other information on legislation regarding the ferrous metals processing than that presented
in this annex was submitted. In cases where the legislation of certain Member States is missing,
that information was not made available to the Bureau.
1. HELCOM and PARCOM Recommendations
In the following HELCOM and PARCOM recommendations regarding ferrous metals processes
are summarized:
HELCOM Recommendation 11/7
1. As of January 1st 1995 dust emissions from processes (including rolling, furnaces in rolling
mills and cutting) in the iron and steel industry should be avoided or collected and filtered
before being allowed to enter into the atmosphere.
2. Fugitive emissions from all processes should be avoided as far as technically feasible e.g.
by encapsulation, evacuation hoods combined with good housekeeping practices.
3. Fabric filters or technology environmentally equivalent should be used for dust cleaning
e.g. in sintering plants, for secondary gases from blast furnaces and basic oxygen furnaces,
in electric arc furnaces and at cutting and grinding operations.
When these technologies are used the particulate matter content of the filtered gases should,
as a guiding value, not exceed 10 mg/m3 (ndg). In any case, the particulate matter content of
the filtered gases should not exceed 50 mg/m3 (ndg).
4. A good process and device control and regular monitoring should be maintained in order to
keep emissions low. From 1987 dust emissions shall be continuously monitored if the
particulate emission is 5 kg/h or more or the cadmium emission is 5 g/h or more and that
installations with a particulate emission of 2 to 5 kg/h shall be equipped with measuring
instruments which continuously determine waste gas opacity, e.g. optical transmission.
1. General requirements
· process water, polluted cooling water and polluted stormwater should be treated separately
from unpolluted cooling water at each plant
· installation of closed water systems should be developed for process water and polluted
cooling water in order to reach a circulation rate of at least 95 %
· production processes, utilization of by-products, waste- and storm-water treatment
technology should be developed in order to minimise discharges
· internal and external measures should be taken to minimise accidental discharges (e.g.
installation of sufficient storage capacity for untreated waste waters)
· sludges should be disposed of in a manner causing minimal environmental hazard,
preferably by treating and entering the sludges to the blast furnace, sintering plant or
electric arc furnace
2. Requirements to the effluent of the plant

After having fulfilled the general requirements under 1, the following limit values should not be
exceeded as annual mean values:

Annexes
Hot Rolling: Suspended Solids 50 g/t (or 1 t/a) Oil 10 g/t (or 0.2 t/a for existing plants only)
Cold Rolling: Suspended Solids 10 g/t Oil 5 g/t
Definition of best environmental practice
PARCOM Recommendation 92/3 concerning limitation of pollution from new secondary

steel production and rolling mills
Contracting parties to the convention for the prevention of marine pollution from land-based
sources agree that:
Measures should be taken to reduce NOx emissions at pickling plants where nitric acid is used
and NOx emissions (as NO2) exceed 5 tonnes /year. The measures should aim at a reduction rate
of at least 70 %.
At least 95 % process water (i.e. water from direct cooling) should be recirculated from hot
rolling and continuous casting machines.
The discharges of suspended solids (s.s.) and oil in bleed from process water systems from hot
rolling should not exceed 50 g/tonne processed steel for suspended solids and 10 g/tonne for oil.
Before discharging spent oil emulsions from cold rolling, treatment by e.g. ultrafiltration should
be carried out. The discharges from cold rolling should not exceed 10 g/tonne for s.s. and 5
g/tonne processed steel for oil. For plants with integrated waste water systems the total annual
discharge should not exceed the sum of the annual production multiplied with the values above
for each process.
Waste water flow from pickling should be reduced as far as possible. Discharges of metals from
pickling plants should be limited as follows:
Ni 1 mg/l
Cr-tot 1 mg/l
Cr (VI) 0.1 mg/l
Zn 2 mg/l
Cd 0.2 mg/l
(maximum concentration of metals in effluent water in unfiltered samples)
In pickling plants using more than 20 tonnes of nitric acid per year, measures should be taken in
order to reduce the nitrate discharges by applying acid regeneration, or equally efficient method.
Recovery of metals from all zinc-rich (zn concentration above 16 %) filter dust and filterdust
from all stainless steel production should be carried out.
PARCOM Recommendation 90/1 of 14 June 1990 on the definition of the bestavailable

technology for secondary iron and steel plants
The Paris Commission agrees that as a minimum the following measures constitute the best
available technology for secondary iron and steel plants:
· Fabric filters for dust cleaning or equally efficient arrestment system at cutting, grinding
and scarfing operations
· Regeneration of pickling baths and closing of rinse water systems
· Addition of hydrogen peroxide to pickling baths containing nitric acid or any equivalent
measure which enables reduction on NOx to the atmosphere

Annexes
· Sedimentation combined with filtration of waste water from continuous casting and rolling.
Recirculation or re-use of the water.
· Metal recovery from filter dust.
2. GENERAL AUSTRIAN EMISSION LIMITS VALUES INTO AIR

(see also ordinance Nr. 160)
2.1. Installations for Heating / Reheating / Heat Treatment

(see BGBl. II Nr. 160, page 727, para. 5)
SO2 emission limit value, using coke oven gas 300 mg/Nm3
NOx emission limit value, using preheated air 750 mg/Nm3 (calc. as NO2)
NOx emission limit value, not using preheated air 500 mg/Nm3 (calc. as NO2)
O2 reference value for gas or liquid fuels is 5 % (details see page 726 of the ordinance)
2.2 Installations for Acid Surface Treatment

(see BGBl. II Nr. 160, page 727, para. 7)
SO2 emission limit value 300 mg/Nm3

NOx emission limit value 500 mg/Nm3 (calc. as NO2)
O2 reference value for gas or liquid fuels is 3 %, for solid fuels 6 % (details see page 726 of the
ordinance)
The above limit value are half hourly mean values and have to be applied to new plants. Old
plants have to reach these values 5 years later, after this ordinance is entering into force, that
means in June 2002. More details are listed in the ordinance.
2.3 General Austrian Emission Limits into Water
Waste water Emission Limit Values for hot / cold metal treatment (rolling, forging, pressing,
drawing,..); for more details see page 2835 – 2838 of the ordinance (BGBl. 345/1997)
Hot forming (pp. 2835) Cold forming (pp. 2836)

running water public discharge running water public discharge
channel channel
General Parameter
Temperature 30 °C 35 °C 30 °C 35 °C
Fish toxicity GF 2 no affect on bio- 4 no affect on bio-
logical degradation logical degradation
Filter out matter 50 mg/l 200 mg/l 50 200
pH value 6.5 – 8.5 6.5 – 9.5 6.5 – 8.5 6.5 – 9.5
Inorganic parameter mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l
Chromium as Cr 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Chromium-VI as Cr 0.1 0.1
Iron as Fe 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
Copper as Cu 0.5 0.5
Nickel as Ni 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Zinc as Zn 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Fluoride as F 30 30
Nitrate as N 20 -
Nitride as N 1.5 10
Ammonium as N 5.0 5.0 -
Phosphor as P 2.0 2.0 -
Organic parameter mg/l mg/l mg/l mg/l
Chem. Oxygen demand, 75 200 -
CSB calc. as O2
Sum of organic comp. 10 20 10 20
Table 2-1: Waste water Emission Limit Values

Annexes
This ordinance was entering into force in 1998 for new plants. Old plants have to fulfil the
requirements within the next 7 years, which means until 2005. For further information related to
monitoring see §3 and 4 of the ordinance.
3. CURRENT GERMAN LEGISLATION RELEVANT FOR FERROUS

METAL PROCESSING ACTIVITIES
Important regulations relevant to ferrous metals processing activities in Germany are laid down
in the BImSchG (Federal Immission Control Act), the WHG (Federal Water Act) and the KrW-
/AbfG (Waste Avoidance, Recycling and Disposal Act for the Promotion of Closed Substance
Waste Management and Ensuring Environmental Compatible Waste Disposal). Germany uses a
segregated media licensing system for different environmental media, but the final decision on
an installation is reached by the assessment of environmental impacts to all media by the local
authorities. Also noise requirements are considered in the licensing procedure. Germany aims at
favouring pollution prevention in the licensing procedure. The „precautionary principle“ has a
legal status which permitts the setting of standards. Legal standards are not subject to any
negotiation in the licensing process in Germany.
In compliance with the federal structure of Germany, the implementation of environmental laws
and decrees is under the responsibility of the federal states (Bundesländer), which may
implement the administrative procedure differently. For new plants, that are regarded as
relevant with respect to emissions and releases into the environment, also an environmental
impact assessment is required during the licensing procedure (cf. Gesetz über die
Umweltverträglichkeitsprüfung, UVPG).
Area Legal Basis Regulations and ordinances

Transport Verkehrsrecht Gefahrgutverordnung Straße
Gefahrgutverordnung Schiene
Gefahrgutverordnung Binnenschifffahrt
Health and safety at work Chemikaliengesetz (ChemG) Chemikalienverbotsordnung
Gefahrstoffverordnung
Gewerbeordnung TA Lärm
Arbeitsstättenverordung und -richtlinien
Emissions Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz Bundes-Immissionsschutzverordnungen
(BImSchG) Bundes-
Immissionsschutzverwaltungsvorschriften
TA Luft
TA Lärm
Wasserhaushaltsgesetz (WHG) Katalog wassergefährdender Stoffe
Abwasserverwaltungsvorschriften
Indirekteinleiterverordnungen der Länder
Waste Abfallgesetz (AbfG) Abfall- und Reststoffüberwachungsverordnung
Abfallbestimmungsverordnung
Reststoffbestimmungsverordnung
TA Abfall
TA Siedlungsabfall
Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz (KrW.-/AbfG)
Table 3-1: Legal basis and regulations alongside the product line
Table 3-1 gives an overview of the German legal basis and regulations for environmental
protection in Germany alongside the product line. In the following, a selection of most
important acts, regulations and requirements concerning air and water quality for ferrous mteals
processing activities is presented.

Annexes
3.1 German regulations concerning air quality
The basic law for air pollution control and noise abatement in Germany is the Federal
Immission Control Act (Bundes-Immissionsschutzgesetz, BImSchG). It primarily aims towards
the protection of the medium air, but it also applies to the media water and land in case
pollution is introduced via the air. The BImSchG is complemented by 21 ordinances and the
Technical Instructions on Air Quality (TA Luft). Especially the TA Luft specifies in more detail
requirements to be met by installations subject to licensing. The next sections present important
acts and ordinances of German air pollution prevention in more detail.
3.1.1 Federal Immission Control Act (Bundes-Immissionsschutz-gesetz, BImSchG)
The BImSchG is the legal instrument for monitoring air pollution. Immission as defined within
the law comprises air pollutants, and also noise, vibration, light, heat, radiation and associated
factors affecting humans as well as animals, plants or other things. This concept already
implements the idea of cross-media effects to a certain extent. The BImSchG requires federal
authorities to issue ordinances identifying the types of facilities, which are subject to licensing,
set licensing requirements for these facilities, and impose emission limit values and technical
control requirements for all facilities, whether licensed or not.
Especially article 5(1)3 BImSchG aims at the avoidance and minimisation of wastes and
residues. The paragraph emphasises the cross-media effects of industrial production.
The concept of "state of the art technology" defined in the BImSchG is similar to the one of
BAT:
State of the art as used herein shall mean the state of development of advanced processes of
facilities or modes of operation which is deemed to indicate the practical suitability of a
particular technique for restricting emission levels. When determining the state of the art,
special consideration shall be given to comparable processes, facilities or modes of operation
that have been successfully proven in practical operation. (Article 3 paragraph 6 BImSchG)
In principle, "state of the art technology" is stated in terms of emission limits set by the
licensing authority, the choice of technology to comply with the emission limit levels is left to
industry. Necessary precautions against harmful effects on the environment are to be taken in
particular by using control measures corresponding to the state of the art. Depending on the
mass flow, some substances have to be measured continuously (eg. SOx, NOx, and particulates).
Some relevant ordinances as well as selected requirements of the BImSchG are briefly
presented in the following.
3.1.1.1 Ordinance on installations subject to licensing (4. BImSchV)
The 4. BImSchV (Ordinance on installations subject to licensing) lists all installations that are
subject to licensing under the BImSchG. According to this ordinance (cf. Annex, row 1, N° 3.5
and 3.6) installations for the rolling of metals and for scarfing have to undergo a formal
licensing procedure, regardless if they are new installations or substantial alterations to location,
nature or operation of existing installations.
3.1.1.2 Technical Instructions on Air Quality (TA Luft)
The Technical Instructions on Air Quality (TA Luft) have been set up as general administrative
regulations related to §48 BImSchG . The TA Luft further specifies the requirements to be met
by installations subject to licensing. It prescribes limit values for most air pollutants as well as
structural and operational requirements designed to limit diffuse emissions. Specific regulations
for ferrous metals processing activities by the TA Luft, directing at the avoidance and
minimisation of air pollution, are laid down in N° 3.3.3.6.1 (plants for rolling metals, heating
and heat treatment furnaces) in N° 3.3.3.9.1. (galvanising installations), and in N° 3.3.3.10.1

Annexes
(installation for surface treatment of metalls using HNO3). Requirements set out are listed in
Table 3-2.
N° in TA Luft Reference Specification

3.3.3.6.1 (rolling) Reference quantity Emissions values refer to a volume content of oxygen in
waste gas of 5 out of 100
3.3.3.6.1 (rolling) Nitrogen oxides *) Emissions of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in
the waste gas of plants operating air preheating of
200°C or more must not exceed the mass concentration
given in the figure below (Fig. 8-1), given as nitrogen
dioxide; possibilities, to control emissions by fuel
engineering and other state of the art measures are to be
employed.
3.3.3.6.1 (rolling) Sulphur oxides If burnable gases are used in an interrelated production
between an iron and steel works and a coking plant,
sulphur oxide emissions may not exceed the emission
value according to enclosure 1 to §16, 13th BImSchV.
3.3.3.9.1 (galvanising) Waste gas cleaning Installations for galvanising, using fluxes, are to be
equipped with waste gas capturing devices like
encapsulation or hoods; waste gases need to be ducted
to a waste gas cleaning facility.
3.3.3.9.1 (galvanising) Dust Dustlike emissions in waste gases must not exceed
10mg/m3(STP).
3.3.3.9.1 (galvanising) Chlorine compounds Emissions of gaseous inorganic chlorine compounds in
waste gas must not exceed 20mg/m3(STP), given as
hydrogen chloride.
3.3.3.9.1 (galvanising) Emission measurements The result of a single measurement is to be determined
by several dipping processes; measuring time
corresponds to the sum of single dipping times and shall
cover usually ½ hour; dipping time is the period
between the 1st and the last contact of the galvanised
piece with the galvanising bath.
Table 3-2: Technical requirements
g/m3
1,30
Mass concentration of NO and NO2(stated as NO2)
1,20
1,10
1,00
0,90
0,80
0,70
0,60
0,50
200 300 400 500 600 700

Air peheating in °C
Figure 3-1: NOx emission limits TA Luft

Annexes
*): The German Länderausschuß für Immissionsschutz (LAI) agreed on the 6th and 8th Mai of
1991 in Bayreuth to put in concrete terms the making dynamic of the TA Luft for heating and
heat treatment furnaces and settled the following emission values for NOx:
new plants - 500mg/m3
existing plants with combustion air preheating
- up to 450°C: 500mg/m3
- over 450°C: target value 500mg/m3
In case of using coke oven gas:
- investigation of the individual case with a target value of 500mg/m3
Since the TA Luft was enacted in 1986, local authorities sometimes demand stricter emission
limit values.
3.1.1.3 Technical Instruction on Noise Abatement (TA Lärm)
The Technical Instruction on Noise Abatement (TA Lärm) sets limits for noise emissions by the
operation of a facility, specified for various areas. The construction, operation or altering of a
facility is granted only if the emission limits allowed for a specific area are not exceeded and if
state-of-the-art noise protection measures are employed.
3.1.2 German regulations concerning the water quality
With respect to water management, each discharge, wherever it is located, has to comply with
the Federal Water Act (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz, WHG). The WHG is the legal instrument for
water pollution control, analogous to the BImschG for control of air pollution. Regulations of
the WHG cover waste water streams generated by various industrial processes, including
ferrous metals processing activities. According to the WHG, the use of surface, coastal, and
ground waters requires approval of the competent authority. Water protection legislation in
Germany is implemented by the Ordinance on Waste Water (Abwasserverordnung, AbwV) and
by general administrative regulations concerning minimum requirements to be met by
discharges, irrespective of the quality of the receiving medium. Generally, frame regulations for
water protection are provided on a federal level, but the federal states also add to water
legislation by complementary regulations. The WHG is furthermore complemented by the
discharge levy act (Abwasserabgabengesetz: AbwAG). Tariffs are related to the mass and
possible hazard of the discharged waste water according to Table 8-3. For discharge of sewage,
that exceeds the mentioned threshold values for concentrations or annual freights, the
discharging party has to pay a fee related to the given units of measurement.
Hazardous Substances Units of measurement Threshold values

(relating to a unit of hazard) Concentrations Annual freights
Oxydizable substances 50 kg Oxygen 20 mg/l 250 kg
(given as COD)
Phosphor 3 kg 0.1 mg/l 15 kg
Nitrogen 25 kg 5 mg/l 125 kg
Organic Halogen 2 kg Halogen, calculated as Cl 100 µg/l 10 kg
compounds as AOX
Mercury & compounds. 20 g 1 µg/l 0.1 kg
Cadmium & compounds 100 g 5 µg/l 0.5 kg
Chromium & compounds 500 g 50 µg/l 2.5 kg
Nickel & compounds 500 g 50 µg/l 2.5 kg
Lead & compounds 500 g 50 µg/l 2.5 kg
Copper & compounds 1000 g 100 µg/l 5 kg
Fish toxicity 3,000 m3 discharges / GF GF =2 (dilution factor for non-lethality for
fishes of the discharge)
Table 3-4: Thresholds according to the discharge levy act

Annexes
Minimum requirements are placed on sewage lines from certain legally fixed sources. Annex
24a of the AbWV (Abwasserverordnung, AbWV) deals inter alia with ferrous metals processing
activities. This Annex applies inter alia to waste water generated by the following processes:
continuous casting, hot forming, hot production of tubes, cold production of strip, cold
production of tubes, sections, bright steel, wire, continuous surface treatment of semi finished
and finished steel products. In section 2.1.2 of that Annex requirements are stated to minimise
the level of harmful substances in the waste water. Table 8-7 provides important restrictions
established by the AbWV, especially for warm and cold forming. Excluded from this regulation
is waste water from cooling systems for the indirect cooling of industrial processes and process
water treatment. Waste water obtained by these activities is subject to the provisions laid down
in Annex 31, AbWV. Table 8-8 gives relevant requirements to discharges of this Annex 31. If
the stated values are not observed, approval for the discharge of waste water will be denied.
Effluents of batch galvanising installations also need to comply with the provisions of Annex
40, AbWV.
Hazardous Substances / Hot Hot Cold Cold Cont.

Process forming production production production surface
of tubes of strip of tubes, ... treatment
Chemical Oxygen Demand COD 40 mg/l 200 mg/l 200 mg/l 300 mg/l 300 mg/l
Iron 5 mg/l 5 mg/l 3 mg/l 5 mg/l 5 mg/l
Hydrocarbons 5 mg/l 10 mg/l 10 mg/l 10 mg/l 5
Nitrogen from nitrite (NO2-N) - - 5 mg/l 5 mg/l -
Total phosphorus - - 2 mg/l 2 mg/l 2 mg/l
Fluoride - - 30 mg/l 30 mg/l -
Lead - - - - 0.5 mg/l
Chromium, total 0.2 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 0.5 mg/l
Chromium VI - - 0.1 mg/l 0.1 mg/l 0.1 mg/l
Copper - - - - 0.5
Nickel 0.2 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 0.5 mg/l 0.5 mg/l
Zinc 2 mg/l 2 mg/l 2 mg/l 2 mg/l 2 mg/l
Tin - - - - 2 mg/l
Cyanide - - - - 0.2 mg/l
Fish toxicity as thinning factor 2 2 6 6 6
AOX - - - - 1 mg/l
Table 3-5: Requirements to discharges from the iron and steel production (Annex 24,AbwV)
Most federal state constituted complementary regulations for indirect discharges. These
Directives usually are applicable to industrial plants, as long as no federal regulations are
provided. However, as most plants concerned are directly discharging waste water and therefore
have to comply with the corresponding regulations for direct discharge, the Directives on
Indirect Discharges are of minor interest.
Hazardous Substances Minimal Requirements

Chemical Oxygen Demand COD 40 mg/l
Phosphor compounds, given as P 3 mg/l
Zinc 4 mg/l
AOX 0.15 mg/l
Available residual chlorine 0.3 mg/l
Chromium compounds must not be contained
Mercury compounds must not be contained
Nitrite must not be contained
Metal organic Compounds (Metal-Carbon-Compound) must not be contained
Table 3-6: Requirements to discharges from cooling systems of industrial processes (Annex 31,
AbwV)

Annexes
3.1.3 German regulations concerning the waste management and disposal of

hazardous materials
Waste legislation in Germany is laid down in the Act on Waste Prevention and Treatment
(Abfallgesetz, AbfG). It is applied to the use and storage of waste, i.e. to substances to be
disposed of by the processor or to substances whose proper treatment is necessary to protect the
environment. Additional requirements refer to waste from particular installations.
Legislation laying down measures aiming towards „avoidance, utilisation and disposal“ of
waste is set down in the Recycling and Waste Management Act (Kreislaufwirtschafts- und
Abfallgesetz, KrW-/AbfG), which came into force in October 1996 and is the most important
part of the new AbfG. It broadens the entire national waste concept and sets new priorities with
regard to the avoidance of and the duty to utilise waste. The KrW-/AbfG also codifies
manufacturer’s product responsibility.
For administrational procedures, technical guidelines on waste (TA Abfall) and on municipal
waste (TA Siedlungsabfall) are of relevance. Furthermore, an administrative instruction,
technical guideline on special wastes (TA Sonderabfall), regulates the handling of special waste.
Facilities for treating waste have to fulfil requirements regulated in special decrees, based on
Art. 5 BImSchG.
A working group of the federal states on waste (Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Abfall, LAGA)

issued a categorisation of waste types, comprising 589 types of waste, of which 333 have
priority for control (LAGA-Abfallartenkatalog). This catalogue was valid till 12/31/1998 and
has been replaced by the European waste catalogue (EWC) in the following. To facilitate the
change from the LAGA catalogue to the EWC, the German LAGA worked out an interim
catalogue (LAGA-Umsteigekatalog). Table 8-9 summarises the classification of selected
relevant substances generated within ferrous metals activities.
Type of Waste LAGA Waste Key1 EWC Waste Key / remarks

Scale 351 02 120199
Dismantled refractories 31103 100206
Eisenhaltiger Staub ohne schädl. Beim. 35101 120102
Ferrous scrap 35103 170405
Zinc dross 35309 170404
Iron hydroxide 51309 110104, 190201
Iron chloride (FeCl3) 51519 060305
Spent pickle 52102 060101, 060102, 060103,
060105, 110105
Cooling agents 54401 120110
Rolling mill sludge 54701 130501
Sludge from oil separation 54703 130502
Table 3-7: Selected LAGA/EWC numbers for wastes resulting from selected FMP activities
1
Classification with reservation

Glossary
GLOSSARY
Substances
Ca Calcium
Ca(OH)2 Calcium hydroxide
CaCl2 Calcium chloride
Cd Cadmium
CO Carbon monoxide
CO2 Carbon dioxide
Cr Chromium
Cu Copper
Fe Iron
FeCl2 Iron chloride
Fe2O3 Iron oxide, ferric oxide
FeOx
HCl Hydrochloric Acid
HF Hydrofluoric Acid
Hg Mercury
H2SO4 Sulphuric acid
Mn Manganese
N2 Molecular nitrogen
NaCl Sodium chloride
NO2- Nitrite
NOx Nitrogen Oxides
Na2SO4 Sodium sulphate
Ni Nickel
NH3 Ammonia
NH4Cl
NO Nitric oxide
NO2 Nitrogen dioxide
Pb Lead
SO2 Sulphur dioxide
Zn Zinc
ZnCl2 Zinc chloride

Glossary
Units
euro currency unit of EU (participating Member States)

Pa Pascal
°C Degree centigrade/Celsius
g gram
kg kilogram
t metric tonne (1000kg)
min minutes
mm millimetre
cm centimetre
m metre
m2 square metre
m3 cubic metre
Nm3 m3 at 273K, 101.3kPa, dry
kWh kilowatt hour
kWth kilowatt thermal
J joule
s second
h hour
d day
y year
t/d tonnes per day
t/y tonnes per year
bar 105 Pa
l litre
vol% Percentage of the volume
Mt/a Million of tonnes per annum
Prefixes
µ micro 10-6
m milli 10-3
c centi 10-2
k kilo 103
M mega 106
G giga 109

Glossary
Abbreviations
Æ Average
BAT Best available technique as defined in Article 2(11) of the IPPC Directive
BF Blast Furnace
BFG Blast Furnace Gas
BOF Basic Oxygen Furnace
BREF BAT reference document
CC Continuous coating/continuos coated
COD Chemical oxygen demand indicating the amount of chemically oxidisable organic
matter in the waste waters
COG Coke Oven Gas
CR Cold rolling/cold rolled
EIPPCB European Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Bureau
EP Electrostatic Precipitator
€ or EUR European currency unit
FF Fabric Filter
FMP Ferrous metals processing
HC Hydrocarbon
HNx gas Nitrogen-hydrogen mixture
HOWAQ Hot water quench
HR Hot rolling/hot rolled
HTC Hourly technical capacity
H2O2 Hydrogen peroxide
IEF Information exchange forum
n.a. Not available
NG Natural gas
PCDD/F Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins/Furans
ppm Parts per million
SCR Selective non-catalytic reduction
SNCR Selective non-catalytic reduction
SS Suspended solids (in waste water)
TSS Total suspended solids (in wastewater)
TWG Technical working group
VOC Volatile organic compounds
Definitions of terms
Mixed acid/mixed HCl used for pickling of steel and for stripping of galvanized steel
liquor
Mixed acid A mixture of nitric and hydrofluoric acids, used to pickle stainless steel
Stripping De-zincing of steel by immersion in acid (HCl)

References
REFERENCES
[ABAG]
ABAG (Magdalena Sordo, Dominik Toussaint), 1993
Vermeidung von Abfällen durch abfallarme Produktionsverfahre – Feuerverzinkereien -
[ABAG-BIO]
Kunz, P. 1996
Reststoffvermeidung durch ein biologisches Entfettungsspülbad in einer Feuerverzinkerei
[ABAG-Flux]
Frauenhofer Institut, ISI (D)
Toussaint, D.; Rotter, U. 1995
Aufbereitung von Altfluxen aus Feuerverzinkereien
[AC-Kolloq]
J. Schultes, R. Degel
Moderne Prozeβroute zur Erzeugung neuer Flachprodukte (Vortrag 23)
12. Aachener Stahl Kolloquium 19.-20.6.1997
[algoma.com]
Website, 1998
Direct Strip Production Complex (DSPC)
[Bed-95]
Beddows & Company, 1995
The EU Cold Rolled Strip Industry
[Bekaert94]
N.V. Bekaert S.A., 1994
Company Information on Wire Technology
[Bekaert98]
Bekaert, Bert Gielen, 1998
Personal Information from Bert Gielen on Purpose an short description of processes in
Wire Industry
[BG-Com]
Personal communication Mr. Gielen, Bekaert
[BGielen 31.3]
Personal communication Mr. Gielen, Bekaert
[BSW-WWT-90]
Prof. Dr. Schwandtner, 1990
BSW. Abwasserbehandlung (Stand Mai 1990)
Badische Stahlwerke Aktiengesellschaft
[CC-11/99]
Input from CC-Shadow Group. EUROFER
[CEAM]
Centro de Estudios y Asesoramiento Metalúrgico, 1995
La fabricación de tubos de acero en la Comunidad (Steel Tube Production in the
Community)

References
[CET]
Comité Européen de la Tréfilerie, 1998
The european steel wire-drawing industry: description
[CET-BAT]
Personal communication Mr. Bert Gielen
[Choice-Barr]
G. Choice, N. Barr
A continuous electrolytic preflux treatment unit
[CITEPA]
CITEPA, 1994
Technical Note on BAT to reduce emissions of pollutants into the air from hot and cold
rolling mills in iron and steel industry,
[Com A]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Austria
[Com2 A]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Austria
[Com2 B]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Belgium
[Com BG]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Bert Gielen
[Com2 BG]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Bert Gielen
[Com BG2]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Bert Gielen, additional
[Com BG3]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Bert Gielen, additional
[Com-CC-2]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Continuous Coating Shadow Group
[Com2 CC]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Continuous Coating Shadow Group
[Com CR]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Cold Rolling Shadow Group
[Com2 CR]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Cold Rolling Shadow Group
[Com D]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Germany
[Com2 D]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Germany

References
[Com DK]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Denmark
[Com E]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Spain
[Com EGGA]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from EGGA
[Com2 EGGA]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from EGGA
[Com FIN]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Finland
[Com2 FIN]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Finland
[Com HR]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Hot Rolling Shadow Group
[Com2 HR]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Hot Rolling Shadow Group
[Com I]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Italy
[Com Karner]
Comments on 1st draft FMP, e-mail from Karner
[Com NL]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from Netherland
[Com UK]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from UK
[Com2 UK Galv]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from UK Galvanisers
[Com VDMA]
Comments on 1st draft FMP from VDMA
[Com2 Wedge]
Comments on 2nd draft FMP from Wedge Group
[Corus 31.8]
Personal communication Corus
[Cullivan-IG-97]
Cullivan, B.
Beta Control Systems Inc, USA, 1997
Zero Discharge Yields Enchanced Production

References
[Dan-EPA]
Danish Environmental Protection Agency, 1998
Personal Information from the Danish EPA on EU BAT for Ferrous Metal Processing
[Dammann]
Dr. Ing. E. Dammann
Anlagen nach dem Stand der Technik für die Prozeβwasserbehandlung in
Warmwalzweken und Stranggieβanlagen
[Danieli]
Lordo, W.
Danieli Wean
Metal Bulletins International Coated Coil Conference, 1997
Flexible Hot Dip Galvanizing with In-line Pickling Process for Evolving Markets
[DFIU 96]
Rentz, O.; Pûchert, H.; Penkuhn, T.; Spengler, T.
Stoffstrommanagement in der Eisen- und Stahlindustrie
(Material Flow Management in the Iron and Steel Industry)
E. Schmidt Verlag, Berlin (1996)
[DFIU 98]
Rentz, O., 1998
BAT in the German Ferrous Metals Rolling Industry (Chapters 1-3)
[DFIU 99]
Rentz, O., 1999
BAT in the German Ferrous Metals Rolling Industry Final
[DK 30.6]
Personal communication DK
[DK-EPA-93]
Batch Hot-dip Coating of Fabricated Steel Products
DK-EPA; BAT-note (1993)
[DK-EPA-98]
Danish Environmental Protection Agency, 1998
Personal Communication, on EU BAT for Ferrous Metal Processing
[EC Haskoning]
European Commission
Techno-economic Study on the Reduction Measures, Based on Best Available
Technologies, of Water Discharges and Waste Generation from Primary and Secondary
Iron & Steel Industry
Final report prepared by Haskoning NL-Nijmegen (1993)
[EC Study]
C. Roederer and L. Gourtsoyannis
Coordinated study "Steel-Environment"
DG XII-EUR 16955 EN (1996)
[EGGA]
Input EGGA

References
[EGGA5/98]
European General Galvanizers Association, 1998
Briefing note on General Galvanizing industry
[EGGA/99]
EGGA, General Assembly 98, Gothenburg, Sweden
[EGGA7/99]
Personal communication EGGA
[EGGA8/99]
[EGGA7/00]
[EGKS95]
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), 1996
ECSC Investments
[El-Hindi]
El-Hindi, L.
Fitertech, Inc. USA
A study in Waste Minimization Techniques for Modern Wire and Cable Facilities
(Abstract)
[EPA-453]
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Steel Pickling – HCl
Process Facilities and Hydrochloric Acid Regeneration Plants – Background Information
for Promulgated Standards
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planing and Standards, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711, December 1998, No. EPA-453/R-98-010b
[ERM95]
ERM-Environmental Resources Management, 1995, Reference 1658
Technical Note on BAT to Reduce Emissions of Pollutants into the Air from the Coating of
Steel Coil
[ESCO1]
Stone, J.
Esco Engineering, 1998
The Whys and Hows of Waste Water Treatment for Picklers
[ESCO2]
Stone, J.
The Whys and Hows of Pickle Line Fume Scrubbers
[ESCO3]
Stone, J.
The Whys and Hows of Hydrochloric Acid Pickling

References
[ETSU-CS-263]
Kirk, J.
Good Practice Programme ETSU (Good Practice - Case Study 263) 1995
Hot charging practice for continuous steel reheating furnaces
[ETSU-FP15]
Best Practice Programme (New practice – Final Profile 15), 1991
Oxygen trim on a steel re-heat furnace
[ETSU-FP-64]
Best Practice Programme (New practice – Final Profile 64), 1992
Integral bed burners in a small continuous furnace
[ETSU-G76]
The Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU), 1993
Continuous Steel Reheating Furnaces: Specification, Design and Equipment
[ETSU-G77]
Continuous Steel Reheating Furnaces: Operation and Maintenance
[ETSU-GIR-45]
Energy Efficiency Office, General Report No. 45, 1996
NOx Reduction Technology for Steel Reheating and Heat Treatment Furnaces
[ETSU-NP-54]
Dual-Fuel Regenerative Burners on a Large Re-Heating Furnace
[EUROFER 17.4]
Personal communication EUROFER
[EUROFER 31.3]
[EUROFER 30.6]
[EUROFER 2.7]
[EUROFER 3.4]
[EUROFER 6.9]
[EUROFER CC]
EUROFER, Task Group Coating, 1998
Technical note on the BAT to the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. Draft:
Coating of Steel Coil Hot Dip Processes

References
[EUROFER CR]
EUROFER, Task Group Cold Rolling, 1998
Technical note on the BAT to the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. Draft:
Cold Rolling Mill
[EUROFER HR]
EUROFER, Task Group Hot Rolling, 1998
Technical note on the BAT to the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. Draft: Hot
Rolling Mill
[EUROSTAT]
Eurostat, 1993
The Iron and Steelworks Plants in the European Union
[Euro-Strategy]
EuroStrategy Consultants, 1995
The Community Wiredrawing Industry (Final Report)
[Fichtner]
Fichtner, 1994
Hessisches Vollzugs-programm zur durchführung des reststoffvermeidungs- und -
verwertungsgebotes nach 5-I-3 bimschg
[FIN 28.3]
Personal communication Finland
[Flem BAT]
P.Vercaemst, P.Van den Steen, R. Dijkmans, 1999
Best available Techniques (BAT) for Hot Dip Galvanising,
Vito, 1999/PPE/R/037
[fmp012]
UK, EA, 1993
Chief Inspector´s Guidance to Inspectors, Process Guidance Note IPR 4/11 (Processes for
the Manufacture or recovery of Nitric Acid and Processes Involving the Manufacture or
Release of Acid-Forming Oxides of Nitrogen)
[GALVA-94-1]
W. Riekehof (Hosokawa Mikropul GmbH), 1994
Proceeding of Intergalva 1994
Emission control of air pollutants in Hot Dip Galvanizing Plants
[GALVA-97-1]
V, Hagebölling (Radebeul Gialvanizers)
Proceeding of Intergalva 1997
Zinkopal – A new dimension in corrosion protection for small parts
[Galv-BAT-E]
Fundación Entorno, Junio 1999
Instalaciones para la transfromación de metales ferrosos (epígrafe 2.3.c)
[Germany 7.4]
Personal communication Germany

References
[HMIP]
Department of the Environment HMIP Commissioned Research (1993), DoE/HMIP/RR/066
Davy Consultants, Davy Energy and Environmental, Ashmore House, Stockton-On-Tees (1993)
Pollution Control for Casting and Shaping of Iron and Steel, Ferrous and Special Alloys
[HMIP-95-003]
R.M. Davies, J. Sykes, D.R. Williams
Inspectorate of Pollution, Department of the Environment, 1995, DOE/HMIP/RR/95/003
The Control of the Emissions of Oxides of Nitrogen from Certain Combustion Processes
[HR]
EUROFER, Task Group Cold Rolling, 1998
Technical note on the BAT to de Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control. Draft: Hot
Rolling Mill, Chapter 2
[IISI]
IISI, 1997
Steel industry and the environment - technical and management issues
[Input-CR-1]
Input Cold Rolling Shadow Group,
[Input-HR-1]
Daniël Van Roosbroeck
SIDMAR N.V. 1999
[Karner-1]
Karner, W.; Hofkirchner, W.
Metallurgical Plant and Technology International 1996, Vol. 19; nº 2
Modern Pickling and Acid Regeneration Technology
[LUDL]
Pengidore A., Cserr, G. Jr.
Chemical Pickling Process at Allegehy Ludlum's nº 91 Anneal and Pickle Line
AISE annual convention, 1996, Vol. 1, pages 187 -198
[Metall94]
Pempera, F.G., Frommann, K.
Metallurgica, 1994
Turbulence Pickling Technology for Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel Strip (abstract)
[Met-Plant-Int-1-94]
Anstots, T. Giesa, D., Spieckermann, K., Wuppermann, C.D.
Metallurgical Plant and Technology International, 1994 . Vol. 17, nº 1
The New Annealing and Pickling Line for Wide Stainless Strip in the Krefeld Works of
Thyssen Stahl AG
[Near-Net-Shape]
J.K. Brimacombe, I.V. Samarasekera
The challenges of thin slab casting
Near-Net-Shape Casting in the Minimills, Proceedings of the international Symposium 96,
Metallurgical Society of the Canadian Institute of Mining

References
[N.Stone2]
J.N. Stone
49th Annual Convention Wire Association International Toronto, 1979
Design your pickle line for pollution control
[Oekopol 7.9]
Personal communication Oekopol
[OSMOTA]
Deuschle, A.,
OSMOTA Membrantechnik GmbH, Germany
AESF Conference on Environmental Control for the Surface Finishing Industry, 1993
Difussion Dialysis - An Economical Technology for Recovery of Acids From Pickling
Processes
[Pan-97]
European Commission, 1997
Panorama of EU Industry
[Piat 19.9]
Personal communication Galvanizers Association (Mr. Piatkiewicz)
[Rituper-1]
Rituper, R.
Iron and Steel Engineer 1995 Vol. 72; nº 11
High-Performance Effluent-free Pickling Plants with Fluid Bed Hydrochlor ic Acid
Regeneration
[Rituper-93]
Dr. R. Rituper: Beizen v. Meatllen
Schriffreihe Galvano technik
Eugen G. Leuze Verlg Saulgan 1993
[SIDMAR]
Personal communication SIDMAR
[Sprang-IG-97]
Sprang, W.J.A.M.
Bammens Groep BV, Netherlands, 1997
New Separation Techniques for Galvanizing Plants
[SSAB]
G. Andersson
Pollution Prevention in the Hot Strip Mill
European Symposium on Environmental Control in the Steel Industry
International Iron and Steel Institute 1995, pages 311 - 328
[STAT97]
Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl 1997
Statistical Year-book of the Steel Industry 1997
[Stone]
Neil Stone, J.
Economical fume control in pickle houses

References
[StTimes 6/93]
Saving energy in continuous reheat furnaces
Steel Times, June 1994, pages 267 - 268
[StuE-96-7]
Maximilian Zur und Gerhard Reimann, Dortmund, 1976
Anwendung von Zweistoff-Filtern zur Kreislauf-Wasserbehandlung in einem
Warmbreitbandwalzvwerk
Stahl und Eisen 96 (1976) Nr. 7
[StuE-111-3]
Dammann, E.; Uphoff, R.; Kucera, J. (1994)
Belüftete Feinzunderfäzur Behandlung von Prozeβ-wasser aus Stranggieβanlagen und
Warmwalzwerken
[StuE-113-10]
Arnold J., Gante, D., Hoffmann G.W., Meyer O.
Stahl u. Eisen 113 (1993) nº 10
Strategie und Anlagentechnik der Energiewirtschaft der Preussag Stahl AG
[StuE-114-1]
Klose, R.; Uphoff, R.; Kucera, J. (1994)
De-oiling of millscale sludge by a wet-mechanical procedure
[StuE-114-9]
J. Szekely, G. Trapagada
Zukunftsperspektiven fuer neue Technologien in der Stahlindustrie
[StuE-116-11]
U. Grobe, P. Jakobshagen W. Schupe
Einsatz von Optimierungsrechnern an den Erwärmungsanlagen eines Rohrwalzwerkes
[StuE-117-5]
F. T. Münch
Leistungssteigerung und Einsparung von Wärmeenergie bei er Warmbandherstellung
[StuE-118-2]
Claus Hendricks, Horst Michael Aichinger, Michael Joksch und Hans Peter Domels, 1988
Energieaspekte und gegenwärtiger Verbrauch an Energierohstoffen der
Weltstahlerzeugung
[StuE-118-5]
B. Eng., M. Albedyhl, C. Klinkenberg, H. Langner, H. Pircher and K. Wünnenberg
Werktoffliche Aspekte des Dünnbrammengieβens
[Svedala]
M. Wallin, B. Schlittler
Novel Techniques for reclamation of Water and Scale-products in Steel Mill Operations
Svedala Industries, 1996

References
[Tech Metal]
Deutscher Verlag für Grundstoffindustrie-Leipzig (1990)
Vortrag anlässlich der Mitgliederversammlung des Industrieverbands Feuerverzinken am
1997
[Theobald]
Theobald, W.
Hintergrundpapier zum Anhang 24 (Anforderungen an die Eisen- und Stahlindustrie) zur
Rahmen-Abwasserverordnung nach § 7a Wasserhaushaltsgesetz
[UBA-Hähn-83]
Dietrich Hähn, 1983
Entwicklung einer fortschrittlichen Minderungs-technologie zur Luftreinhaltung an einer
Feuer-verzinkungsanlage
[UBA-Hoesch-87]
W. Ackermann, a-a. Kaskas, 1987
Altanlagenprogramm des Bundesminiters des Innern
Verminderung der eEmissionen einer Feuerverzinkungsanlage für Fertigtelle
[UBA-Huster-85]
H-W. Lieber, H. Rasch, 1985
Altanlagenprogramm des Bundesministers des innern
Emissionsminderung durch Abgaserfassung und Abgasreinigung in einem
Stückverzinkungsbetrieb
[UBA-Kloeckner-82]
G. Bastisch, 1996
Klöckner Stahl GmbH, Bremen
Investitionen zur Verminderung von Umweltbelastungen
Programm des Bundesministers für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit
[UK-5/98]
Andrew Bond
Environment Agency, 1998
British Steel Hot Dipped Tinning Process, Brierley Hill, West Midlands
[Ullman's]
Ullman's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5. edition
Steel
VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim Vol. A 25 (1994) 63-307
[SVHG]
Siegener Vereinkerei Holding GmbH, 1997
Vortrag anlässlich der Mitgliederversammlung des Industrieverbands Feuerverzinken am
1997
[Vanroosb 3.4]
Personal communication Vanroosbroeck
[VDI-RL-2579]
Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, 1988
VDI – Richtlinie 2579
Emission Control Hot-Dip Zinc Galvanizing Plants
[Vercaemst 27.7]
Personal communication Vercaemst

References
[Vercaemst 30.3]
Personal communication Vercaemst
[Weigel]
Personal Communication
Stahl werke BREMEN
Anlage-Nr.: 3.5
[Welzel]
Welzel, K.
Maßnahmen zur Emissionsminderung bei Feuerverzinkungsanlagen
100(1979) H.11 Haustechnik - Bauphysik - Umwelttechnik gi S 10/340
[WireInd-10-97]
Sanders, N.J.
Wire Industry, 1997 Vol. 64 nº 10; issue 766
Hydrogen Peroxide Technology for NOx Suppression and Nitric Acid-free Pickling of
Stainless Steel Wire and Wire Production
[WOLL]
Woll, R.
ZF-Getriebe GmbH
Betriebsinterne Entsorgung von Hühlschmieremulsionen Durch Kombination von
Organischer Vorspaltung und Mehrstufiger Membrantechnik - Abwasserfrei und
Abfallminimiert

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC)

World Trade Center, Isla de la Cartuja s/n, E-41092 Seville – Spain

Part A: Hot and Cold Forming

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 i

· Scarfing: 5 – 115 mg/Nm³

ii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 iii

Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

iv October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

· Collection and treatment of contaminated drainage water

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 v

Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

vi October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 vii

Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

· Prevention of steel corrosion by appropriate storage and

· or Regeneration of the acid by spray roasting or fluidised Dust 20 -50 mg/Nm³

viii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

- or by evaporation process: HF < 2 mg/Nm³

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 ix

Best Available Techniques / Split views on BAT BAT-associated emission and

x October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

· Pre-treatment of the wire rod (mechanical descaling, pickling)

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xi

Best Available Techniques BAT-associated emission

xii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Part B: Continuous Hot Dip Coating

Continuous wire galvanizing plants involve the following steps:

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xiii

Best Available Techniques BAT-associated emission

xiv October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

BAT for heating:

Lead-Tin Coating of Sheet

Best Available Techniques BAT-associated emission

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xv

Best Available Techniques BAT-associated emission

xvi October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Part C: Batch Galvanizing

Batch galvanizing usually comprises the following process steps:

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xvii

Best Available Techniques BAT-associated emission

In case of combined pickling and stripping:

xviii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL

Best Available Techniques BAT-associated emission

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xix

1. Status of this document

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxi

Furthermore, Annex IV of the Directive contains a list of “considerations to be taken into

3. Objective of this Document

This document represents a summary of information collected from a number of sources,

5. How to understand and use this document

The information provided in this document is intended to be used as an input to the

xxii October 2000 GK/EIPPCB/ fmp_BREF_FINAL

World Trade Center, Isla de la Cartuja s/n, E-41092 Seville – Spain

GK/EIPPCB/fmp_BREF_FINAL October 2000 xxiii