The Coking and Gas Plants produce coke by heating coal in furnaces. We are improving the mechanical seal of the coke chambers in Coking Plant 2. This will reduce odour emissions during heating. Together with the operational measures, overhaul of the coke chambers and an individual overpressure control of the chambers, this serves to reduce the odour emissions in Coking Plant 2. And successfully so: Initial independent measurements show that odour emissions have further decreased by approximately 75%. The results are continuously monitored.

Cooking of the coke causes overpressure in the furnaces. The higher the pressure, the more odour can escape from the furnaces. We are looking into techniques to control the overpressure of the individual furnaces. We have since fitted central pressure control. Fewer peaks and deviations lead to fewer odour emissions. We are further improving this system.

We are taking several operational measures to decrease potential odour emissions of Coking Plant 2. These include adjustments to the firing systems, gas cleaning and batteries.

At the Coking and Gas Plants of Tata Steel in IJmuiden we produce coke by heating coal in furnaces. This is needed for the production of iron in the Blast Furnaces. Most of the gases produced in the process are extracted by means of a gas-cleaning installation. However, emissions containing PAHs can still be released through a number of openings such as filler holes, standpipes and furnace doors. We are working hard to further reduce emissions where possible. In doing so, we looked at adjustments to the existing installation and measures in the work process. We have achieved positive results in these areas thanks to drastic operational measures. For example, through periodic visual observations, we determine that emissions at the furnace doors have been halved. We expect that this will also lead to a reduction in PAH emissions.

The coke chambers in Coking Plant 2 are being overhauled to optimise the cooking of coke and reduce coke odours. We are replacing the furnace walls to heat the coke more evenly and further reduce odour from this process. All in all, we are overhauling 108 furnaces.

Odour may be released during drying of pig iron and steel ladles. Drying is done in a ladle drying plant.after replacing the masonry of a ladle. We will build a new ladle drying plant to reduce any odour emissions this may cause. This involves installation of a new ladle drying and gas cleaning system to reduce odour emissions. 

But in anticipation of this new system, we have already made some adjustments for recirculation of gases. Gases that are released are cleaned additionally for immediate reuse. The odour from this process was monitored for a longer period of time by means of eNoses on our site. Compared to the situation before the adjustments, these eNoses detected 50% fewer odour components. The positive results are confirmed by the eNoses in the immediate living environment. Based on the data from the eNoses, we are seeing that fewer complaints arise from this process.

The steel rolls are pickled in the pickling lines of the Cold Strip Mill. During pickling, acid vapours are released. These are extracted and washed in a vapour scrubber. To further reduce odour emissions, we have improved the operation of the vapour exhaust system at one of the pickling lines. Moreover, in December2021, we installed an additional environmental installation: a vapour scrubber. In order to further reduce odour emission here, we will continue with follow-up research into possible additional measures.

We will continue unabated with new measures and measures already taken at Coking and Gas Plant 2. A new ladle drying plant will be built at the BOS Plant. We will also continue to perform research with a view to further reducing odour emissions at the pickling lines of the Cold Strip Mill.