EVALUACIÓN AMBIENTAL DE LAS SINERGIAS EN COGENERACIÓN CON GASES SIDERÚRGICOS

Abstract

The utilization of polluting by-products derived from any industrial activity using cogeneration techniques is an excellent resource for waste management and the production of sustainable energy. One of the most singular cases is the steel industry, where a by-product is produced in the form of potentially inflammable gas with a high GHG effect. Its utilization has a double approach: it enables to reduce global costs and, in addition, it represents a significant reduction in polluting emissions of the installation. Nevertheless, this utilization also presents some issues. It is dirty gas with a low heat level which is discontinuously produced. Few installations have been developed for this purpose and their real influence on the process sustainability is yet unknown. In this study, the energy, resources, emissions and waste generated during a cogeneration process in the steel industry is quantified applying the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) tools. The case is developed over an installation that produces electricity and steam combining the cogeneration technology in simple cycle with specially adapted engines.