Plastic waste use in the blast furnace as a reducing agent
- Authors: Mazhandu, Z. S. M. , Muzenda, E. , Belaid, M. , Mamvura, T. A. , Nhubu, T.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Blast Furnace , Coke , Landfill
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/458868 , uj:40778 , Citation: Mazhandu, Z.S.M. et al. 2020. Plastic waste use in the blast furnace as a reducing agent.
- Description: Abstract: Steel is among the most essential materials in construction, making its manufacture equally important. Steel is manufactured either via an integrated iron and steel making route characterised by the Blast Furnace (BF) and a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF), smelting followed by a BOF or in an electric arc furnace. The objective of this paper explores the possibility of using plastic waste in Africa as an alternative reducing agent to coke in the Blast Furnace; a recycling practice that is commonly done in Japan and Europe. There are many benefits that can be accrued environmentally, operationally and economically when using waste plastics in the BF. The hydrogen content in waste plastics is almost three times more than that in pulverised coal making it a better reducing agent environmentally and economically. Plastic waste has a higher calorific value and less impurities, which results in energy savings and less dioxins and furans in the process. In addition, bearing in mind that over 130 million of tonnes of plastic waste are currently in Africa’s landfills, utilising waste plastics in the BF will result in savings in landfills airspace, prevent financial losses incurred through dumping valuable recyclables, protect the environment and the public because if spontaneous fires start in landfills then toxic fumes such as furans and dioxins, cannot be generated if the landfills are plastic free. With such evidence on hand, plastic waste use in the BF presents an untapped beneficial opportunity not only for the continent of Africa but other continents such as North America where landfilling is rife.
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Illegal dumping challenges in West Rand District Municipalities (WRDM), South Africa
- Authors: Muzenda, E. , Belaid, M. , Nkosi, N.
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Environment , Illegal Dumping , Landfill
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/404129 , uj:33878 , Citation: Muzenda, E., Belaid, M. & Nkosi, N. 2019. Illegal dumping challenges in West Rand District Municipalities (WRDM), South Africa.
- Description: Abstract: Increased population and urban migration in the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) have significantly contributed towards increased waste generation and associated challenges. Increased waste generation exerts pressure, difficulties and constraints in waste management in the district with regards to storage facilities, receptacles, removal services and transportation. The lack or absence of waste management services in addition to other factors are catalysts and drivers for illegal dumping. In WRDM, illegal dumping is a result of rising waste disposal tariffs, lack of storage facilities, disrupted waste collection schedules, unsafe and inaccessible dumbing sites particularly for in informal settlements. Illegal dumping is prevalent in low income and overpopulated areas. Ignorance, lack of minimum education and public awareness with regards to integrated waste management significantly contribute to illegal dumping which is threat to human life and the environment. Exploring energy and material recovery from waste opportunities plus recycling could contribute towards reduced illegal dumping.
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