No.2 Resource Circulation Furnace Starts Operation

Today, Kashima Senko Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Metals) started operation of the second rotary kiln for dust recycling (No.2 Resource Circulation Furnace). Its construction began in November 2007.

Both companies will expand their industrial waste dust recycling business and contribute to promote a recycling-oriented society and realize a low-carbon society.

1. Background and objectives of No.2 Resource Circulation Furnace

Sumitomo Metals began to reclaim iron and zinc from steelworks dust in 1975. Iron and zinc are contained in the dust generated in steelworks (such as blast furnaces and steelmaking plants). A resource circulation furnace is equipment that reduces iron by using carbon that is contained in the dust being burnt at the temperature of 1,300⁰C. The direct reduced iron is used to make steel. Zinc that is contained in the dust is evaporated, reduced, collected by a dust collector, and is sold as crude zinc oxide to zinc smelters.

This operation reclaims iron and zinc from dust without generating secondary waste. Because of this feature, it was named the Perfect Recycle System. The iron reclaimed with the System is known as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), and requires less energy consumption when producing steel than iron ore. Zinc that is reclaimed is higher in grade than natural zinc. Thus, the system contributes to reduce CO2 generation and consume less resources.

Since 1987, Sumitomo Metals have accepted electric furnace dust and industrial waste dust from other industries, in addition to dust generated within its own steelworks. In recent years, Sumitomo Metals' customers including automakers have requested the company to accept their industrial dust. In order to respond to rising demand, No.2 Resource Circulation Furnace was constructed.

An increase in the dust processing capacity will enable expanded usage of less-expensive scrap that contains zinc in steelmaking plants. This will result in cost reduction at the Steel Works.

2. Overview of Resource Circulation Furnaces (No.1 and No.2)

3. Profile of Kashima Senko Co., Ltd.

<Reference 1>
If zinc is contained in steelmaking materials, it adversely affects operation of a blast furnace. A resource circulation furnace is capable of removing zinc when making Direct Reduced Iron and enables usage of relatively inexpensive zinc-containing scrap in steelmaking plants.

<Reference 2>

No.2 Resource Circulation Furnace