The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) has issued Evraz Claymont Steel a permit to install pollution control equipment to collect dust and reduce other emissions at the plant. According to Collin O’Mara, DNREC secretary, the new permit builds on environmental progress in an earlier consent decree, signed August 2010, between the DNREC and Evraz Claymont, which has committed to continue technology upgrades to improve air quality.
“We believe that these improvements will set this facility on a path toward long-term compliance, reducing local impacts and improving air quality for local residents,” O’Mara says. “We would not have made this progress without the persistence and engagement from the local residents who have been vigilant in collecting air and dust samples and continuing a constructive dialogue with Evraz leadership and DNREC.”
The earlier consent decree required Evraz Claymont Steel to implement a comprehensive series of investments in equipment and operational changes to make the plant and surrounding environment cleaner. According to the DNREC, many of the changes—including installation of pollution controls to improve air-quality significantly in neighborhoods surrounding the Claymont steel mill—are either under way or nearing completion.
Evraz’s DNREC permit requires additional dust control capacity at the plant and its melt shop by adding another baghouse, which will almost double the plant’s particulate collection and filter system by August 2013.
The permit includes the installation of systems to capture additional emissions from the electric arc furnace, stir station and ladle reheat operations and direct the emissions to the existing and expanded dust control baghouse.
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell says, “These improvements will enhance the quality of life for residents of Claymont. The changes represent a major commitment by Evraz to invest in Delaware and the company’s future here and will position Evraz to continue as a significant contributor to our local economy in an environmentally sensitive manner.”
Other consent decree requirements for Evraz included the implementation of operational practices to reduce the potential for emissions and continued particulate monitoring around the facility.
Evraz submitted its permit application and received this permit in accordance with the schedule outlined in the consent decree and faced stipulated financial penalties if the terms and conditions of the order were not met, the DNREC says.
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The decree covered Evraz’s taking numerous actions to improve air quality. Stipulations that Evraz and the DNREC agreed to are:
- The company will design, facilitate and install additional baghouse capacity and capture equipment no later than August 2013. A construction permit for the upgrades was issued to Evraz Jan. 20, 2012, and the facility is currently in the process of proceeding with the construction and improvements.
- Evraz will Install control technology and capture emissions from the electric arc furnace, stir station and ladle reheat operations and direct emissions to a baghouse. The construction permit, which was issued to the Evraz, allows for the upgrades.
- The company will move the slag cooling operations currently conducted outside to inside the melt shop within six months of the effective date of the order. Evraz began the slag cooling operation within the main melt shop structure in March 2011.
- Evraz will relocate the ladle slag dump area inside of the facility and install a water suppression system. Evraz Claymont Steel facility completed modifications to implement ladle slag cooling in the new location early last year.
- The company will Implement feed controls at the stir station until additional baghouse capacity and associated equipment are operational. Evraz is currently implementing a feed control monitoring procedure to limit the feed of materials to the stir station. This monitoring procedure will remain in effect until the new baghouse structure and conveyance system has been constructed.
- Evraz will modify the tapping hood to ensure proper alignment for tapping operation and for use during the ladle reheat process. New operating training procedures implemented by Evraz ensure the proper alignment of the tapping hood.
- The company will submit an updated Title V renewal permit application within 30 days of the order’s effective date. Evraz made its first submittal in September 2010, and additional submittals/addendums to the application are pending, following the newly issued construction permit.
- The company will maintain operations of four ambient air quality monitors and submit monitoring reports to DNREC. Evraz continues to maintain the ambient air monitors located in the nearby community and submits monitoring reports to the Division of Air Quality on a semi-annual basis for review.
- Evraz also continues to implement its enhanced mercury pollution prevention program, per the consent order, and DNREC’s Division of Air Quality continues to oversee the quarterly stack testing requirements for mercury emissions.