Abstract
ABSTRACTChina is the largest iron and steel producing and consuming country in the world, which leads to enormous quantities of emitted air pollutants. Direct emissions of air pollutants from the iron and steel industry in China were estimated by developing a process and technology-based methodology using information of the proportion of pig iron, crude steel, and rolled steel produced from different processes and technology. Emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compound (VOCs), and dioxin (PCDD/Fs) were estimated for the year 2012, and future emissions of major pollutants (SO2, NOx, TSP) were projected up to 2030 based on technology developing trends and emission control policies. According to the estimation, 2222 kt of SO2, 937 kt of NOx, 1886 kt of TSP, 555 kt of PM2.5, 254 kt of VOCs, 618 g I-TEQ of PCDD/Fs was produced in China in 2012. Sintering produced 72.4% of SO2, 49.4% of NOx, 22.5% of TSP, 24.0% of PM2.5, 69.6% of VOCs and 98.0% of PCDD/Fs, which is the main emission source. Through faithful implementation of closing down outdated production and emission control policies, approximately 77%, 49%, 67% and 64% of SO2, NOx, TSP and PCDD/Fs emissions, respectively, could be further reduced in 2012. Emissions in 2020 and 2030 of iron and steel sectors were predicted applying scenario analysis. The removal potential for SO2 and TSP is larger than NOx by improvement of removal facilities, and southwest, northwest, and north China has the largest SO2, NOx, TSP and PCDD/Fs removal potential respectively.
Highlights
China is the largest iron and steel producing and consuming country in the world
We developed an emission inventory of major air pollutants from China’s iron and steel industry based on detailed activity level for 2012, and we tentatively predict future emissions in 2030 through scenario
The iron and steel industry plays an important role in emissions of many air pollutants in China
Summary
China is the largest iron and steel producing and consuming country in the world. Crude steel production in China was 717 million metric tons in 2012 (NBS, 2013), which accounted for 46% of the world’s production (WSA, 2013). The iron and steel industry is the highest in energy consumption, pollution, and consumption of resources-based industries, which leads to enormous quantities of air pollutants emitted, including SO2, NOx, PM, VOC, and PCDD/Fs, resulting in significant regional and global environmental problems. In China, the iron and steel industry has been identified as an important source of pollution. SO2 and TSP emissions from smelting and pressing of ferrous metals account for 12.6% and 17.6% of all industrial sources (CEYEC, 2012). What’s more, iron and other metal production contributed 49% of total national atmospheric PCDD/Fs emissions (Lv et al, 2008)
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