Use of Waste Resources in the Sinter Plant in Ironmaking

The steel industry is one of the largest industrial emitters of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) worldwide¬, contributing to 7% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions. The sinter plant at an integrated site is the 2nd highest emitter of CO2 with the Blast furnace being the highest. One concept in reducing the environmental impact at UK steel sites is the use of alternative carbon based by-products and wastes from other sectors instead of using coke/coal. The concept of this process is trying to create a circular economy where there are no loose ends; this is better known as industrial symbiosis. The main aim of this study was to identify waste streams in the United Kingdom (UK) and assess any environmental benefits to their utilisation in the steel making process, in particular the sinter plant.