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Towards Circular Economy for Steel - Assessing the Efficiency of Yellow Gypsum Synthesis from BOF Slags / THOMAS HARPER
Swansea University Author: THOMAS HARPER
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Copyright: The author, Thomas E. Harper, 2021.
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Abstract
The large quantities of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag produced at the Tata Steel Port Talbot steelworks has no existing recycling scope and has formed a large legacy “slag mountain” over the years. Closure of all Britain’s coal power plants by 2025 potentially could create a shortage of the supply...
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Swansea
2021
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MSc by Research |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59456 |
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| Abstract: |
The large quantities of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag produced at the Tata Steel Port Talbot steelworks has no existing recycling scope and has formed a large legacy “slag mountain” over the years. Closure of all Britain’s coal power plants by 2025 potentially could create a shortage of the supply of gypsum in the UK and elsewhere. A solution to the problem may lie in production of gypsum from a by-product of the steelmaking. This will afford a potential opportunity for commercialisation in Port Talbot. This research applies the findings of ‘A method of producing calcium sulphate from LD slag waste produced during the recovery of metallic iron from LD slag’ of which patent 572/KOL/2014 has been filed, to assess the efficiency of yellow gypsum synthesis from BOF slag, while determining the feasibility for commercialisation of this process at the Port Talbot steelworks. To provide this knowledge, an assessment of the chemical composition and particle size distribution of the BOF slag produced at the Port Talbot steelworks was undertaken, whilst developing methods to assess the efficiency of the process. X-ray fluorescence analysis was undertaken on the BOF slag samples acquired and synthetic yellow gypsum produced to determine the calcium conversion at the defined particle size distributions outlined in the thesis. Cost and market analysis were also undertaken to determine feasibility of commercialisation at the Port Talbot steelworks. This study, therefore confirmed that commercialisation of this process in the Port Talbot steelworks is feasible but would require large scale operation and further processing of the synthetic yellow gypsum produced. In addition, processing the synthetic yellow gypsum produced to products within the agriculture and construction industry would provide a higher valued final product. |
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| Item Description: |
A selection of third party content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis due to copyright restrictions. |
| Keywords: |
Yellow Gypsum Synthesis, Basic Oxygen Furnace, Slag, Circular Economy, Patent 572/KOL/2014 |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |