OREANDA-NEWS. OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works ("MMK" or "the Company") has completed core construction works at the first system in the new sintering gases treatment complex of sulphur capture unit No 2.

This involves creating a new environmental facility - all equipment that had been operating since installation in 1963 has been replaced. Total project investment will exceed RUB 3 bln* (including over RUB 1.6 bln in 2015). MMK expects to complete renovation works on the whole complex in 2017.

Renovation works at sulphur capture unit No 2 will make it possible to significantly improve the quality of the air in Magnitogorsk, by reducing dust air emissions by 900 t/y, sulphur dioxide by 7,600 t/y, and carbon monoxide by 16,000 t/y. New sulphur capture unit No 2's capacity will make it possible to recover the total volume of sintering gases produced at sintering plant No 2 when the production facilities are operating at maximum capacity. Average dust removal efficiency exceeds 99%, and that for sulphur dioxide - 95%, which corresponds to the results delivered by the best available EU-approved technologies.

The reconstruction of sulphur capture system No. 2 started in 2013. The project includes the construction of three sintering gas-cleaning systems, each comprising two stages: an electric filter and scrubbers. The electric filter catches hard particles (dust), and scrubbers doused in lime-wash are designed to catch sulphur dioxide. Assembling works use state of the art materials and equipment produced by Sinosteel (China).

Measures aimed at reducing any impact on air quality are a priority area in the Company's broader environmental activities. Over the last 25 years, gross air emissions of pollutants have decreased 3.7-fold. One of the most important measures to reduce atmospheric pollutant emissions includes the reconstruction of sulphur capture systems at the sintering plant, which is responsible for over 52% of MMK's gross emissions.