Algoma Steel opts for more bagjobs

Portable baghouse number two for Algoma Steel's No. 7 blast furnace is on its way.

The pollution reduction unit was recently shipped and delivery is expected soon, says Jerry Freiman, ASI's manager of environmental control services.

SooToday.com spoke with Freiman (shown) during the first of two community open houses hosted by by the steelmaker to provide information and opportunities for questions about the company's planned expansion and emission control initiatives.

Freiman says there will be at least two, possibly three temporary portable baghouses operational on No. 7 blast furnace as intermediate emission control measures before the permanent baghouse is installed and operational by the end of 2008.

"The reason it takes so long is because all of the parts have had to be custom-engineered and built, then shipped here for assembly," he says. "It could take anywhere from 12 to 18 months from the day we ordered it to get delivery of the motor alone."

The $28 million permanent baghouse will include a hood-like structure that will cover the inside of the stack on No. 7 blast furnace and draw furnace air into a series of filtering systems using induction produced by a huge fan.

Freiman says the company is looking at ways to reclaim the waste products drawn off by the filters, using them in the steelmaking process.

"It's essentially iron oxide dust," he says. "We are looking at ways to reclaim the iron and reduce our dependence on raw iron ore."

Last night's come-and-go open house for neighbourhood residents was held in Bayview School and was attended by about 50 people.

Today's event, for people from across the city, will be from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Great Northern Resort & Conference Centre.

"We recognize that we do have an impact and that there is more to do," said Freiman. "That's what we're doing here tonight and that's what we're trying to show people."

Freiman explained that ASI is one of only four mills in North America with an integrated system that encompasses the entire steelmaking process from the first step of combining raw materials like iron ore and coal to make coke in the coke oven, through the blast furnace, oxygen furnace and onto either the slab-casting line or direct strip production complex.

He pointed out various junctures in the process where environmental measures have proved to be money-savers for the company.

"Each of these measures makes us more effective and more efficient producers," said Freiman.

Some of the measures he indicated on the coke ovens, for example, reclaim coke components that aren't fully combusted and reinsert them into the steelmaking process.

Other measures work to reduce the amount of energy used to produce steel and consequently reduce the plant's carbon footprint.

ASI has submitted applications to the provincial Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for the restart of No. 6 Blast Furnace, including the interim use of a portable baghouse until a permanent baghouse can be installed.

The community open houses are part of a process ASI must follow to secure an MOE certificate of approval for No. 6 blast furnace, which is expected to produce almost half as much steel as No. 7.

ASI plans to use at least one temporary portable baghouse on blast furnace No. 6 until delivery and installation of a $22 million permanent baghouse on the furnace late in 2009.

For more information on ASI's environmental measures, visit its website or attend tonight's open house at the Great Northern Resort & Conference Centre.

Company representatives and at least one Ministry of the Environment representative will be on hand to answer questions, explain plans and hear concerns.