Eco-friendly Solutions for Managing Oily Sludge in China's Big Cities

What is it about?

The research evaluated the environmental and economic viability of three technologies for disposing of cold rolling oily sludge (CROS), focusing on a coking synergistic (CS) process. The scope included life cycle assessment (LCA) and net present value (NPV) methods to compare CS with distillation-incineration and conventional incineration. The research found that CS technology significantly reduced environmental impacts, with CO₂ emissions decreased by more than 35.7%, and it offered a quick payback period of three months with a profit margin of 2260 CNY per ton. The research explored the diffusion potential of CS technology in Chinese provinces, highlighting its substantial environmental benefits in steel-producing regions such as Hebei and Jiangsu. The findings showed that CS could reduce global warming potential (GWP) indicators by 0.336-2.54 Mt CO₂-eq, accounting for 66% of the national reduction. The research underscores the resource recovery potential of CROS, with an oil yield exceeding 60%, suggesting significant economic and environmental advantages for steel plants adopting CS technology.

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Photo by Ivan Bandura on Unsplash

Photo by Ivan Bandura on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is important as it addresses the challenge of disposing of cold rolling oily sludge (CROS), a hazardous waste in the steel industry, by proposing innovative technologies for its sustainable treatment. By focusing on the coking synergistic (CS) process, the research not only aims to reduce environmental impacts through significant CO₂ emission reductions but also optimizes resource recovery, turning waste into valuable products. The study's findings could lead to more sustainable waste management practices in the steel industry, contributing to environmental protection and economic viability. This is particularly crucial given the increasing steel production and the associated rise in hazardous waste generation, which necessitates effective disposal solutions to prevent environmental degradation and health hazards. Key Takeaways: 1. Environmental Efficiency: The research demonstrates that coking synergistic technology significantly reduces environmental impacts, achieving a CO₂ emission reduction of over 35.7% compared to other disposal methods, highlighting its potential as a sustainable alternative for CROS treatment. 2. Economic Viability: The study finds that the coking synergistic process is economically advantageous, breaking even within three months with a profit of 2,260 CNY per ton, making it a financially attractive option for steel plants. 3. Regional Impact: Analysis reveals that implementing coking synergistic technology in key steel-producing provinces like Hebei and Jiangsu can lead to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 66% of the national reduction, thus promoting regional and national environmental sustainability.