Organic pollutants from electric arc furnaces in steelmaking: a review

The use of electric arc furnaces is important in steelmaking, notably to recycle scrap steel, yet arc furnace is an unintentional source of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as chlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and brominated dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs). Here, we review the level, profiles, influencing factors and formation mechanisms of such pollutants from arc furnaces of steelmaking plants. Comparison of various industrial sources shows that pollutant concentrations in the stack gas from the arc furnace in steelmaking plants are lower than that in the fly ash of all industrial sources. Preheating the scrap steel could increase the formation and emission of pollutants. The composition of raw materials is suggested to be an important influencing factor in pollutant formation. Air pollution control devices significantly reduce emissions of pollutants.