Airborne Emissions from Mn Ferroalloy Production

Abstract

Airborne emissions from metal production represent a health, safety, and environmental challenge to which more and more attention is being directed. Industries worldwide, as well as authorities and others, are resolute in their aim of limiting, reducing, and ultimately eliminating these emissions. Many lessons can be learned by sharing information between industrial branches, as many industries face similar challenges. Certain challenges are, however, highly branch specific. For the Mn ferroalloy industry, such examples include the types of dust generated in the primary processes and the management of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mercury with respect to furnace design and operation. This article covers airborne emissions from manganese ferroalloy production, including greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfurous gases, PAH, airborne particulate matter, and trace elements, including mercury and other heavy metals. The aim is to summarize current knowledge in a state-of-the-art overview intended to introduce fresh industry engineers and academic researchers to the technological aspects relevant to reduction of airborne emissions.