Zinc Oxide Production Line Project Background and Engineering Overview
A Large Steel Mill in Hebei Moves Toward “Zero Landfill”
A renowned steel enterprise located in Hebei Province, China, recently announced the successful completion of commissioning for its brand-new Electric Arc Furnace （EAF） dust resource utilization project. With an annual production capacity of 200,000 tons, this project serves as a core initiative for the facility in alignment with national policies on the green circular economy.
This project was undertaken exclusively by Shandong Shuang long Metallurgical Machinery Co., Ltd. As a seasoned engineering contractor in the field of metallurgical solid waste treatment, Shuang long provided a comprehensive, end-to-end solution—spanning everything from design and equipment manufacturing to commissioning and production launch.
Zinc Oxide In-Depth Analysis of Core Technology: Thermochemical Reduction Process
The Value of Zinc Enrichment in EAF Dust
Electric Arc Furnace （EAF） dust contains approximately 3% zinc （primarily in the form of zinc oxide）. Under traditional processes, this dust is regarded as a hazardous waste that is difficult to treat; however, this project—through the application of precise physicochemical methods—has achieved a high-efficiency capture of these trace zinc elements.
Process Flow and Output Purity Control
The project employs an advanced thermochemical reduction process. Under a high-temperature reducing atmosphere, the zinc oxide present in the dust is reduced and volatilized and subsequently collected via a highly efficient cooling system. This process route offers significant advantages, including rapid reaction rates, high separation efficiency, and stable operational performance.
Dual Empowerment of Environment and Economy
Solid Waste Treatment Capacity and Reduction Achievements
This production line possesses an annual processing capacity of approximately 200,000 tons of electric arc furnace dust; it is capable of processing all dust generated by the steelworks in real time, thereby significantly reducing the long-term storage space required for waste residue and eliminating concerns that might otherwise hinder the enterprise’s development.
Ecological Environmental Protection and Risk Mitigation
Through the closed-loop recycling of EAF dust, the project fundamentally mitigates the risk of heavy metal oxides leaching into the soil or groundwater via rainwater infiltration. This mode of harmless disposal significantly enhances the enterprise’s environmental compliance and ecological safety.
Profit Growth under a Circular Economy Model
By converting waste residue into marketable zinc oxide, the enterprise not only avoids substantial hazardous waste disposal costs but also generates a new source of economic growth. This “input-output-recycling” green model offers a valuable reference for the steel industry as it explores pathways toward sustainable development.
After the contract, Shuanglong Group has actively carried out the project implementation work, produced and delivered as planned. The delivery work started from Oct. 2023, and now the whole project is in full swing during the installation process, it is planned to be completed till September, 2024.
