Characterization of priority substances in effluents from an integrated steelworks in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

In the Water Framework Directive, a list of priority substances that are deemed to be persistent, toxic, and liable to bioaccumulate have been identified. Within this list, a range of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and certain trace metals are relevant to the steel industry. This study summarizes work carried out by Tata Steel Europe (Rotherham, U.K.) to characterize the emissions of PAHs and trace metals from wastewater streams at one of its main integrated steelworks in the United Kingdom over a 3-year period (2010 to 2012). The emissions inventory revealed that PAH emissions to water were almost entirely attributable to the cokemaking process, with emissions factors ranging from 20 to 55 mg/tonne of coke. Furthermore, analysis of the PAH distribution in coke oven effluents revealed that medium- and high-molecular-weight PAHs were associated with the suspended solids (particle-bound). Regarding trace metals, both ironmaking and steelmaking processes were the most important emission sources.