Metals and minerals
In the metallurgical industry, millions of tons of sludge-like waste materials are generated every year, the main destination of which has been landfill. Sludge is produced, among other things, as a result of the operation of wet gas scrubbers in blast furnaces and converters.
The problem with these materials, such as blast furnace, converter slurries, mill scale, slags and fines, is their high moisture content, which limits their further use. Landfilling the above-mentioned by-products causes millions of euros of costs for operators every year.
Side streams of the steel industry
Side streams from the metallurgical industry often contain valuable components such as iron, carbon and chromium, which could be recycled back into the process as raw material. Drying is a critical step in enabling further processing of these materials. By drying the materials, landfill costs can be avoided and the raw materials can be returned to circulation and utilization.
Other metal dregs
In the circular economy of the electronics industry, materials containing precious metals such as silver and copper are created as side streams. After drying, the separation of valuable substances becomes easier and the material is more suitable for enrichment processes. In addition to this, for example, aluminum production also produces lime-stabilized slags, which when dried can be used, for example, as a soil conditioner.
Mining and mineral industry side streams
Utilizing the side streams of the mining and mineral industry as such is often challenging. In many cases, drying is a necessary processing step that transforms the material into a form that is easier to handle. This enables further processing and utilization of the materials as raw material. Examples of materials suitable for ModHeat are various stone dusts, stone wool sludge and lime.
Coke
Coke is used in various processes of the metallurgical industry, such as in the production of ferrochrome and in electric arc furnaces. The excessively high moisture content of the coke used in smelting processes usually causes problems by increasing the process’s energy demand and coal consumption. For example, storing coke in winter may increase the moisture content of the material, in which case ModHeat can provide the additional capacity needed for the existing drying process.
