ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY HEADLINESEnvironment and Sustainability
Essar Steel Algoma Reports Smooth Start-Up of Permanent Baghouse
Feb. 17, 2009 Essar Steel Algoma has successfully started up a new, permanent baghouse on its No. 7 blast furnace.
The permanent baghouse replaces three temporary units currently servicing the plant’s No. 7 blast furnace, and is reported to be operating very well.
“We are most pleased with the results,” said Essar Steel Algoma Chief Operating Officer Armando Plastino, commenting on the new asset. “This technology is state-of-the-art and has been designed with excess capacity. Even when production levels improve, air quality will be protected both within the operation and beyond the steelworks.”
The new baghouse boasts a filtering capacity of 940,000 cubic feet per minute and a 99.9% efficiency rate operating from a footprint equivalent to half of an NHL rink. Powered by two energy-efficient 3500-horsepower fan motors with variable frequency drives, the baghouse consumes considerably less energy than those with conventional fixed speed drives. Final tuning and balancing of the control systems is now underway.
The company expects the $25 million investment in air emission technology—a key component in its ongoing air quality program—to contribute to an overall 16% site-wide net reduction in particulate emissions. Essar is planning to host an official ribbon cutting in the near future.
Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Essar Steel Algoma is a fully integrated steel producer that derives its revenues primarily from the manufacture and sale of hot and cold rolled steel products including sheet and plate. Essar Steel Algoma is a member of the Essar Group.