Atmospheric Emission of Polybrominated Dibenzo-p-dioxins and Dibenzofurans from Converter Steelmaking Processes

Sumei Li,Changliang Li,Minghui Zheng,Wenbin Liu,Mei Wang,Guorui Liu

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2014.10.0264

Abstract

Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were characterized and quantified in stack gas from secondary ventilation systems from five different steelmaking plants. The concentrations of 2,3,7,8-substituted PBDD/Fs (2,3,7,8-PBDD/Fs) and PBDEs were 0.036–0.19 ng/Nm3 (0.32–4.33 pg toxic equivalency (TEQ)/Nm3) and 3.11–40.0 ng/Nm3, respectively, in the stack gas. These concentrations were lower than those in other metallurgical processes, such as electric arc furnaces and iron ore sintering processes. The concentrations of PBDEs were 26–94 times higher than those of PBDD/Fs in the stack gas. The PBDD/F and PBDE emission factors in the stack gas from the steelmaking converter processes (per tonne of steel produced) were 0.048–0.59 µg/t (0.66–20.8 ng TEQ/t) and 6.36–76.6 µg/t, respectively. These data are helpful for establishing an emission inventory of PBDD/Fs from the converter steelmaking industry in China.

Highlights

Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) have properties and effects similar to those of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) (Birnbaum et al, 2003)
A modern technique was used in the SG converter, the concentrations of PBDD/Fs in its stack gas were not obviously lower than in the stack gases from the other converters
The results showed that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were present in the stack gases from converter steelmaking, and the range for the mean PBDE mass concentrations (14 congeners) in the stack gases of the five converters was 3.11–40.0 ng/Nm3

Summary

Introduction

Polybrominated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PBDD/Fs) have properties and effects similar to those of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) (Birnbaum et al, 2003). Lower brominated PBDD/F congeners can naturally form through photochemical and biosynthetic pathways (Haglund, 2010; Arnoldsson et al, 2012), the major sources of PBDD/Fs are thermal industrial activities, such as metallurgical processes, solid waste incineration, and electronic waste dismantling (Du et al, 2010; Gullett et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2010b; Duan et al, 2011; Chang et al, 2013; Chang et al, 2014). Du et al (2010) reported that PBDD/Fs could be emitted by various incineration and metallurgic processes (Du et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2010b) These studies revealed that metallurgical facilities are important sources of PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs to the environment. Little is known about PBDD/F emissions from converter steelmaking processes, and it is necessary to further investigate PBDD/F emissions from this source

Methods

Results

Conclusion