BAT technology for emission control
It is an Outokumpu principle that best available techniques (BAT) be employed to reduce emissions and minimise harmful environmental impacts which may result from the Group's operations. BAT means economically and technically best available pollution prevention technology that is agreed and published by the EU. Using BAT means that Group emissions are kept at the lowest achievable level by using the latest technology. To maintain good levels of emission control in the future, Outokumpu is continually developing its processes and pollution prevention techniques and is also an active participant in the process of updating the reference documents (BREF) which define the technologies, helping to set high standards which are applicable all over the EU.
Efficient systems help in preventing spills and non-compliances
All Outokumpu's larger production sites employ Environmental Management Systems (EMS) or risk based management systems which help to avoid spills and accidents that could be harmful to the environment or to humans. All of these systems operate in accordance with ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems. We aim to achieve one group-wide certification, currently 91% of the production sites have separate certification.
Emissions and discharges were generally at normal levels and in compliance with environmental permits in 2009, but some spills and non-compliances did take place.
There was a fire in the steel melting shop at Tornio. Hot combustion gases penetrated one bag filter and melted some of the filter tubes. Even though quick and effective measures were taken, 2.3 tonnes of dust was released into the air. This amount corresponds to 15% of annual emissions by the steel melting shop.
At the ferrochrome plant in Tornio, the operation time ratio for the dust filtering unit in the feed silo was 93% in January (permitted level: 97%). Dust emissions to the air totalled three tonnes during this period. Because of the difficulties being experienced with the cleaning units, the supervising authority requested an action plan to resolve the malfunctions. Among other items, the action plan included a timetable for installing continuous measurement instruments in outlets whose significance was higher. The action plan was approved in March 2009 and the dust cleaning units have been working without any difficulties.
At the Nyby site small acid leakage occurred. At Sheffield there have been minor emission breaches from the Direct Current Arc Furnace extraction system. Långshyttan (Kloster), Sweden, and Meadowhall site, the UK, reported incidents of discharges to the local brooks. The environmental authorities were informed on all occasions and no environmental damage was reported.
Safety first with radiation sources
The source of radioactive material may enter the stainless steel production chain via the recycled stainless steel used in the process. Such radiation is usually from natural occurring sources. In some cases, the source of radiation is old measuring equipment extensively used in heavy industry. Such items of equipment contain small amounts – a maximum measured in grams – of radioactive isotopes. These are normally detected before they enter the Group's production process.
Three incidents occurred at Outokumpu's Tornio facilities in 2009 during which radioactive material entered the electric arc furnace despite the presence of alarm systems. The radioactive material concerned was identified as americium 241, an isotope employed in measurement instruments. All dusts and slag from the melt affected were separated and measured, and the radioactive materials were stored separately in accordance with guidelines provided by the national authorities.
The dose rate associated with the radioactive material in these Tornio cases was approximately 10 times the dose rate of the background radiation that humans are exposed to in their everyday lives. By way of comparison, travelling by air involves exposure to a dose rate 50 times higher than the dose rate of background radiation.
Investments in technology reduce dust emissions
Dusts have traditionally been the most significant type of emission by the steel industry. The majority of Outokumpu's particle emissions originate from the Tornio, Avesta and Sheffield steel mills and the New Castle hot rolling mill. In the 2002–2006 period, the Group's steel plants invested more than EUR 20 million to improve their environmental performance and minimise dust emissions. Even though total production of stainless steel has increased during that period, levels of dust emissions by Outokumpu have declined significantly in recent years.
Close monitoring of emissions
The steel melting shop in Tornio has been monitoring dust particle emissions with a continuous emissions measurement system since the beginning of 2007. Having daily emissions data helps in detecting potential filter leakages quickly.
The impacts of emissions by the Group on local air quality at major Outokumpu production sites are regularly assessed. At the Avesta Works, specific measurements of mercury emissions from the steel melting shop were performed and reported to the authorities in 2009.
Reductions in emissions
Dust emissions from the Group's operations typically contain small quantities of metals (including iron, chromium and nickel) and these are mainly present in a harmless form. Chromium, for example, is usually found in its trivalent form and not as the hazardous hexavalent form. In recent years, Outokumpu has supported many studies investigating the effects of metal emissions on both the environment and human health.
Emissions of nitrogen oxides have also declined. Reductions have been achieved by investing in new technology and abatement plants. To minimise their emissions, Outokumpu production sites in Tornio, Avesta and Nyby are employing the latest burner technology and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies for certain processes.
The primary origin of the Group's sulphur dioxide emissions is the district heating unit at Tornio Works which is used only occasionally during the cold winter season.
Recovering heat from waste furnace gases at the Tornio and Avesta Works also reduces the Group's energy consumption. Emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide are correspondingly lower as fuel does not need to be combusted to produce heat. The energy efficiency measures that have been implemented have reduced Outokumpu's specific carbon dioxide emissions.
In general terms, ambient air quality in the Tornio and Haparanda communities is equivalent to that in other communities of similar size in Finland and Sweden. The most significant impacts on air quality in these locations come from traffic and dust in the streets. Studies made in cooperation with local municipalities and authorities in recent years indicate that the effects that operations at Tornio Works have on air quality are very local.