By installing the new plant, BlueScope Steel is able to reduce gas emissions, and at the same time increase the processing capacity of the plant.
BlueScope Steel's Port Kembla Steelworks is located 80km south of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It produces a wide range of finished and semi-finished flat steel products for Australian and international customers.
Beca was engaged to provide the mechanical and structural design of a Lamella Settler and 1.3km of piping at the Port Kembla No.5 Blast Furnace Slag Granulation Plant. Most of the piping was basalt lined pressurised pipe of diameter 700mm, suspended 10m above ground on pipe bridges.
The Slag Granulation plant granulates molten slag (a by-product) from the ironmaking process by passing the slag through a water stream. The granulated slag (which is sand like) can then be used for making cement and other construction applications.
To reduce the hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions (commonly known as rotten egg gas) of the existing plant, BlueScope Steel implemented a cold water slag granulation process. The plant recirculates 2,100m³/hr of water, which is replenished from the industrial water supply. The Lamella Settler removes sludge from the water after the granulation process before it is passed to a cooling tower. The recirculated water is transferred between the Lamella Settler, cooling tower and the slag granulators via the lined pipework.
By installing the new plant, BlueScope Steel is able to reduce gas emissions, and at the same time increase the processing capacity of the plant.