MMK Continues Modernization of Coke & Chemical Production
Strategic Research Institute
Published on :
1 Mar, 2023, 6:17 am
Russian steelmaker Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works will commission the first two units of the new coke plant No 12 this year, as part of a comprehensive renovation project. Reconstruction of the shop for chemical product collection and processing and construction of a new biochemical plant are entering their final phase.
The refractory brickwork of coke plant units No 3 and No 4 was completed at the coke plant, and equipment installation has started. The first unit to be commissioned is No 3, where preparations for drying and preheating are currently underway for permanent and temporary gas pipelines from the second collection unit, as well as the drying and heating equipment have been installed. The refractory brickwork heating will begin in March. Over several months, a gradual increase in temperature will take place, ensuring uniform heating. After that, the coking furnaces will be loaded, followed by coke delivery.
At the same time, work is underway at the third dry coke quenching unit: the casing has already been assembled, the assembly and installation of metal structures continues, and the laying of refractory material has begun. In the dry coke quenching unit, hot coke will be delivered to the quenching chamber and cooled by repeated forced circulation of inert gas through the coke layer. This technology is more environmentally friendly and allows the use of recyclable resources: the coke heat at the unit will be converted into superheated steam with a temperature of 450 C and a pressure of 4 MPa to generate 40 MW of electricity (two turbogenerators of 20 MW each). This will satisfy the coke plant's own need for electricity.
Work is also underway at other facilities of coke plant No 12’s coal preparation and coke screening units. The construction of the complex has entered its active phase, with regular deliveries of contract equipment and around 1,500 workers involved in construction works on a daily basis.
The construction of a new biochemical plant designed for waste water treatment after coke production, with the account for coke plant No 12 and existing plants, is continuing. The plant capacity is 300 cubic meters of wastewater per hour. The implementation of the project will improve working conditions, reduce the negative impact on the city's environment and ensure air quality improvement. All concrete work has been completed on site, structures have been erected, finishing works and additional piping are nearing completion. Since the end of last year, bacteria have been cultivated at the new biochemical plant – supported by joint efforts with Chinese specialists, with the gradual filling of the pool with the total volume of 60,000 cubic meters. The current focus is on mode setting and commissioning of the plant.
The renovation works are also underway at the shop for chemical product capturing and processing. Particular attention is paid to the first collection unit, where the benzene compartment is almost completely reconstructed, and additional primary coolers are being built. A new benzene warehouse and resin settling tanks will be built as well.
The main goal of modernization of MMK's coke and chemical production is to drastically reduce the environmental impact and meet the objectives of the Federal Clean Air Project. Just the launch of coke plant No 12 with a capacity of 2.5 million tons of dry coke per year, followed by the decommissioning of obsolete coke production capacities will reduce gross atmospheric emissions by 11.35 thousand tonnes per year, while CO2 emissions will decrease by 2.2 million tonnes per year.