Environment-friendly Production (4) Sustainability Report || KOBE STEEL, LTD.

Environmental monitoring equipment

Desulfurizer at sintering furnace

Raw material yard with water sprays

Sprinkler truck

Boiler desulfurizer

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		Environmental Management Environmental Sustainability Report 2004

Environment-friendly Production (4)

Based on the analysis results of various environmental burdens, Kobe Steel has been reducing a wide variety of burdens by improving production processes to more effectively protect the environment; introducing state-of-the-art equipment and refurbishing facilities; and thoroughly implementing self-management. Kobe Steel, including its group companies, will further strive to reduce its impact on the environment by improving its production processes and enhancing the capabilities of pollution control equipment.

Air Pollution Prevention


Activities at works and plants With respect to SOx (sulfur oxide), energy saving and resource saving have been encouraged, Sox generation has been suppressed, and thorough emission measures have been taken. For example, the steelworks make every possible effort to reduce emissions by using low-sulfur iron ore and LPG, and thoroughly desulfurized coke oven gas and boiler exhaust gas. At Kobe Works, a desulfurizer is installed to Boiler No. 2 to reinforce the capacity. With respect to NOx (nitrogen oxide), the reduction of emissions has been promoted by adopting low NOx burners and low NOx combustion technologies, introducing NOx removal equipment, and implementing intensive energy-saving measures to reduce fuel consumption rate. At Kakogawa Works, dust collectors with greatly improved desulfurizing capabilities has been installed to handle the exhaust gas discharged from the sintering plant. For soot, measures against exhaust gas are taken, such as introducing high-performance dust collectors, to reinforcedust collecting. At Kakogawa Works' sintering plant, exhaust gas treatment capacity has been increased In order to prevent the scattering of dust, the raw material yards are equipped with remote-controlled water sprays, and each facility is made airtight. To prevent the secondary scattering of dust, sprinklers for artificial rain are used on roads and earth floors, as well as on cleaning roofs and other high structures.
SOx Emissions (parent company only)		SOx Emissions

Environmental Activities in Group Companies
Shinko Kobe Power Inc. is an urban power station that coexists in harmony with the community. On this theme, the power station has state-of-the-art environmental facilities (for example exhaust gas denitrification equipment, flue gas desulfurizer, and electrostatic dust precipitator) to prevent air pollution. Enclosed coal-storage silos and transfer conveyors are used to prevent coal dust from scattering.

In addition, thorough environmental conservation measures are taken, including water quality conservation, noise, vibration, and offensive odor prevention, measures against wastes, and environmental harmony, by installing cutting-edge environmental analysis apparatus and optimizing the environmental management system through ISO14001. For these environmental measures, about one third of the total construction cost of the power station (about 200 billion yen) was allocated.

Furthermore, part of the existing facilities in Kobe Works, such as the raw material yard and sintering plant, were shut down, while the fuel for steelmaking facilities was changed from heavy oil to city gas. These comprehensive environmental measures by the power ptation including Kobe Works have made it possible to keep the impact on the surrounding environment to a minimum.

Shinko Kobe Power Inc.(JAPANESE)


Continuous enclosed unloader (Coal unloader) By enclosing the unloader, dust duringl unloading is prevented from scattering.	Coal silo and enclosed belt conveyor Twelve silos that can store 30,000 ton of coal per silo are installed. By enclosed the belt conveyor, the coal is completely enclosed from quay to boiler.

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Exhaust denitration equipment	Electric dust collector	Exhaust desulfurizer

Water Pollution Prevention


Kobe Steel reduces the water consumption rate by improving production processes and using recycled water, and at the same time, cleans wastewater by an optimum wastewater treatment system and reduces the impact of water polluting substances such as COD (chemical oxygen demand), SS (suspended substances), etc. on public water bodies. Kobe Steel uses the water treatment system best suited to the properties of the discharged water from production processes. Other measures are also undertaken to improve water quality. Shinko Kobe Power Inc., for example, discharges wastewater after thorough cleaning at a comprehensive water treatment plant that provides not only coagulating sedimentation, filtration and neutralization, but also advanced wastewater treatments such as denitrification and COD absorption. Shinko Kobe Power also uses an eco-friendly water-intake/discharge system.
Wastewater Reduction Efforts atKakogawa Works		Activated sludge treatment facility

Comprehensive wastewater treatment plant (Shinko Kobe Power Inc.)

Noise Reduction


Kobe Steel carries out surveys on how plant noise affects the neighboring areas and reduces the noise of the equipment based on the survey data. In addition, Kobe Steel is implementing a wide variety of noise reduction measures by installing noise-generating equipment such as fans, compressors and crushers within buildings and by installing soundproof walls and vibration proof pads to shield and absorb noise.
Sound suppression cover for compressor		Sound suppressing equipment for exhaust stack

Odor Reduction

Odors generated at works and plants are treated using deodorizing equipment. Odor monitoring is implemented at regular intervals and necessary measures are taken accordingly.

For example, in fiscal 2003, water-granulating equipment for blast-furnace slag was installed to suppress odor generation in slag aging.