Clean Production in the Iron and Steel Industry: A/O Biological Denitrification Technology for Sintering Waste Water
Iron and steel is one of the most important industries in the world, with major economies heavily dependent on it for economic development. The industry is also one of the largest polluters, releasing large amounts of pollutants into the environment, including suspended particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfates. This has created an urgent need for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the industry. For example, the implementation of an advanced oxidation process (AOP) assisted with biological denitrification technology for the treatment of sintering waste water can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) concentrations and increase the efficiency of the AOP.
Sintering is an important step in the steel production process, where iron ore is heated and treated to form a solid mass. During this process, a large amount of waste water is generated, which contains high concentrations of NOx, as well as heavy metals and other contaminants. This waste water needs to be treated before it can be discharged into the environment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOP) have been used to treat sintering waste water and reduce the level of pollutants. These processes involve the use of ultraviolet light, or the generation of reactive substances such as ozone, to create oxidants that can break down and remove pollutants from the water. However, while the use of AOPs can improve the quality of wastewater from sintering processes, a high concentration of NOx remains.
To further reduce the concentration of NOx in sintering wastewater, biological denitrification technology can be used. This involves the introduction of a nitrogen-fixing bacteria into the wastewater, which is capable of converting NOx into harmless molecular nitrogen. This bacteria can be supplied directly, or it can be generated on-site by creating anaerobic conditions. The process is generally the most cost-effective when the organic carbon in the wastewater is sufficient to support the growth of the bacteria, as it reduces the need for an additional carbon substrate. Furthermore, the wastewater can be treated using other technologies, such as ozonation, which increases the effectiveness of the denitrification process.
The use of AOPs assisted with biological denitrification technology for the treatment of sintering waste water has been proven to be efficient in reducing nitrogen oxide concentrations. Studies have found that denitrification processes can reduce NOx concentrations to below 4 mg/liter within one hour of treatment. This not only meets the emissions standards set by most countries, but could also help to reduce the amount of pollution emitted from the iron and steel industry. Furthermore, the technology could potentially be used in a range of industrial processes to reduce unwanted pollutant concentrations.
In conclusion, AOPs assisted with biological denitrification technology is an efficient and environmentally friendly way to reduce the environmental impact of sintering processes. By decreasing the concentration of NOx in wastewater to allowable levels, the technology could help reduce the amount of pollution emitted from the iron and steel industry, and reduce the environmental impact of the industry. Furthermore, the technology could be applied to a range of other industrial processes to reduce pollutant concentrations, making it an important tool for achieving cleaner and more sustainable production.
