Steel Mills’ business booming in federal capital

February 15, 2019: The steel mills operating in the industrial sector of the federal capital (I-11 & I-10) have got a healthy source of income by selling accumulated dark carbon at Rs. 85,000 per tonne.

 “A steel unit produces an average amount of one tonne carbon per day hence making it to a total of 30 tonnes per month. It is a fine quality carbon used in the production of various industrial items and products,” a furnace owner said.  

The dark emissions releasing steel furnaces in the federal capital have adopted the latest air reverse technology systems. It consists of over 100 air filters, a modern piece of equipment based on the carbon scrubbers mechanized in air (emissions) filtration unit called bag filter house.

Talking to APP, Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PAK-EPA) Deputy Director (Labs/NEQS) Dr. Mohsina Zubair said out of total 10 steel mills three had set up the technology at their steel furnaces whereas the remaining were in the process of developing the technology.

She said the emissions filter unit suppresses carbon-led harmful gases within the furnace and release white smoke instead of dark one whereas through the adjoining air ducts it collects the carbon which is consequently deposited in the unit through proper air bags hanging at the end of the duct.           

 “The carbon collected through the process is valuable enough and sold in dollars for each tone. It has provided them another source of income and helped recover the finance invested in establishing the technology at their steel furnace,” she informed.

 To a question, she said besides there were also re-rolling mills and other industrial units operating in the sector who were taken in the loop and making requisite measures on the directives of PAK-EPA.

She added that a foreign delegation during a visit was stunned to see such a compact and well-organized system confiscating carbon and releasing safe emissions into the ambience of the federal capital.

The most astonishing thing to know was that the equipment was fully indigenous and locally made, she remarked.

 “The foreign delegation praised the efforts for preserving environment through such globally effecting impacts and said such methods do not even exist in their countries," she informed.

Dr. Mohsina said not only bag filter houses and air ducts had helped PAK-EPA to control emissions rather 360° cameras installed at the top of the chimneys of the steel furnaces were monitoring the furnace emissions round the clock.

 “It has also provided PAK-EPA to control smoke and emissions in the vicinity of the sector as well,” she said.

To a question, she said bag filter house technology was essential and productive in reducing particulate matters (PM2.5) in the atmosphere that causes serious respiratory issues resulting increased emergency visits of asthma and cardiovascular patients.

(APP)