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Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico

Particle Emissions Control System for a Steel Mill in Monclova, Coahuila

Status: Completed

Background

According to the latest 2008 National Emissions Inventory developed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), the industrial sector in Coahuila consists of 20 categories, including power generation, chemical industry, storage services, mining,
manufacturing, food industry and metallurgy. Emissions from the industrial sector were responsible for 52% of total nitrogen oxides, 99% of sulfur dioxide, 70% of PM10 and 75% of PM2.5.

At the municipal level, estimated emissions from the industrial sector in Monclova accounted for 29% of total nitrogen oxides, 99% of sulfur dioxide, 95% of particulate matter PM10 and 95% of particulate matter PM2.

The largest integrated steel company in Mexico, Altos Hornos de México, S.A.B. de C.V. (AHMSA), located in Monclova, has demonstrated its commitment to the environment by applying sustainable industrial practices to protect and ensure the proper use of natural resources important to the region. In the past few years, AHMSA has undertaken efforts to reduce particulate emissions by installing 24 control systems in various production processes.

Currently, the AHMSA facilities emit approximately 31,000 metric tons per year of total suspended particulate (TSP) from secondary processes in the production area that are not conveyed to an emissioncontrol system.

As part of AHMSA’s ongoing efforts to improve air quality, the proposed project will reduce TSP emissions by approximately 97%, thus complying with the requirements of SEMARNAT and Mexico’s environmental enforcement agency, PROFEPA.

Description

The Project consists of the design, installation, and operation of an emission control system with a collection capacity of up to 29,333 m3/min of particulate matter emitted by the secondary production activities in the basic oxygen furnace 2 (BOF2) process at the steel mill
workshop in AHMSA facilities in Monclova.

The system is comprised of ducts and hoods or collectors installed at each point of generation to transport the particulate matter to a fabric filter emission control system called a pulse-jet baghouse, which consist of 5,760 fabric bags and it does not required water for the operation and maintenance of the equipment. The baghouse will collect the dust with up to 97% efficiency. The dust will be stored in a dust silo a capacity of 250 m3 for reuse in the production process.

Also, a stack will be built on a concrete base and will be a selfsupporting steel structure, 60 meters high and 6 meters wide. The stack will include an accessible platform for monitoring activities to be performed by an authorized contractor.

Benefits

The project will reduce harmful particulate emissions released to the atmosphere in the BOF2 steel production process, improving the air quality in the facilities and surrounding areas. The anticipated environmental outcomes resulting from the installation of an emission control system are the reduction of approximately 30,070 tons/year of particulate matter, and a stack exhaust concentration of less than 60 milligrams/m3 of particulate matter.

These improvements will help reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses and allergies.

Project Financing

Total Project Cost Reserved
NADBank Funding US 23.2M - NADBank Loan
Other Funding Partners Market - rate loan