Removal of vapour phase PCDD/Fs in electric arc furnace steelmaking emissions by sorption using plastics

Chemosphere. 2008 Aug;73(1 Suppl):S84-9. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2007.05.099. Epub 2008 Apr 24.

Abstract

Plastics are potentially suitable for the removal of vapour phase PCDD/Fs in emissions from the electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking process. Three different commercial plastics, i.e. polypropylene BE170MO (Borealis A/S, Denmark), polypropylene in the form of 5 mm spheres (The Precision Plastic Ball Co. Ltd., UK) and polyethylene LD605BA (ExxonMobil Chemical, Belgium), have been studied using a novel experimental apparatus for the removal of vapour phase PCDD/Fs. Polypropylene BE170MO was identified to be the most suitable product amongst the three plastics in terms of PCDD/F sorption and potential industrial application. The optimum temperature for PCDD/F sorption on polypropylene BE170MO was below 90 degrees C for a removal efficiency of >99% at an average vapour phase PCDD/F concentration of 3.5 ng I-TEQ/Nm(3). At 130 degrees C, 53% of the PCDD/Fs trapped on polypropylene BE170MO were desorbed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Air Pollutants / chemistry
  • Air Pollutants / isolation & purification*
  • Benzofurans / chemistry
  • Benzofurans / isolation & purification*
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Electricity
  • Plastics / chemistry*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / chemistry
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / isolation & purification
  • Polypropylenes / chemistry
  • Steel*
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Volatilization

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Benzofurans
  • Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
  • Plastics
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Polypropylenes
  • Steel