Improved energy and material efficiency using new tools for global optimisation of residue material flows

Residue materials generated in the metallurgical industry have gained an increasing importance, both from the points of view of energy and material supply. A joint process integration model for the integrated steel plant system is developed and used in this paper. It takes into account both residue materials and energy recirculation for the system. The potential for increased recirculation and the effect on the system from an environmental point of view is presented, and implementations and practical experiences are discussed. The model developed can serve as a benchmark for different steelmaking operations and constitute a basis for the continuous work involved in material, energy, environment or economic analyses for the steel production system.