Solid Waste Management in Steel Industry—Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Solid waste management in steel industry is a frontline environmental challenge as the enormous quantum and diverse types of solid wastes, generated during steelmaking, require addressing a plethora of environmental issues such as waste minimisation, hazardous waste management, recovery of resources, waste recycle and reuse, etc. However, in the absence of appropriate world class standard and guidelines, the full potential of the opportunities remains largely unexploited. With due attention from the industry and administrators, rapid strides are envisaged. Since the solid waste generation is linked with the quality of the prime raw materials, viz., iron ore and coal, it is imperative to opt for better ore beneficiation and coal washing systems thereby ensuring reduction of solid waste at the steel plant site. Introduction of suitable “Guidelines and Standards” and technological intervention for improving the qualities of BOF slag and EAF slag to make them suitable as construction materials require industry’s attention.