Target the neglected VOCs emission from iron and steel industry in China for air quality improvement

doi:10.1007/s11783-023-1695-z

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (8) : 95 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-023-1695-z

PERSPECTIVES

Target the neglected VOCs emission from iron and steel industry in China for air quality improvement

Chenglin Cai¹, Juexiu Li², Yi He³, Jinping Jia^1,⁴(

)

¹. China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
². School of Energy & Environment, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450007, China
³. John Jay College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY 10019, USA
⁴. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China

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Abstract

● Haze formation in China is highly correlated with iron and steel industry.

● VOCs generated in sinter process were neglected under current emission standard.

● Co-elimination removal of sinter flue gas complex pollutants are timely needed.

Recent years have witnessed significant improvement in China’s air quality. Strict environmental protection measures have led to significant decreases in sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and particulate matter (PM) emissions since 2013. But there is no denying that the air quality in 135 cities is inferior to reaching the Ambient Air Quality Standards (GB 3095–2012) in 2020. In terms of temporal, geographic, and historical aspects, we have analyzed the potential connections between China’s air quality and the iron and steel industry. The non-target volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions from iron and steel industry, especially from the iron ore sinter process, may be an underappreciated index imposing a negative effect on the surrounding areas of China. Therefore, we appeal the authorities to pay more attention on VOCs emission from the iron and steel industry and establish new environmental standards. And different iron steel flue gas pollutants will be eliminated concurrently with the promotion and application of new technology.

Keywords Volatile organic compounds Iron and steel industry Air quality Sinter flue gas emission

Corresponding Author(s): Jinping Jia

Issue Date: 16 February 2023

Cite this article:

Chenglin Cai,Juexiu Li,Yi He, et al. Target the neglected VOCs emission from iron and steel industry in China for air quality improvement[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2023, 17(8): 95.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-023-1695-z
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2023/V17/I8/95

Fig.1 Illustration of a typical sinter process and sinter flue gas emissions.

Fig.2 Haze formation associated with the interactions of iron ore sinter process primary pollutants emissions.

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