The EnvIRONment process has been developed by the Illawarra Technology Corporation (ITC) to treat steel works dust and organic wastes simultaneously. Pelletised feeds of ferruginous 'wastes' and organics are fed into an molten slag and metal bath where all organics are broken down to simple molecules and the iron oxide is reduced to iron. A saleable iron product is produced along with a readily disposable slag. Over three years of trials in a pilot scale electric furnace using a wide variety of waste feed streams has brought the process to a stage where it is ready for commercialisation. The commercialisation process has included developing a number of process and feed scenarios, and assessing the associated capital and operating costs. Economic analysis indicates that the process has excellent commercial prospects at an appropriate scale and negotiations with several Australian companies are underway for the construction of a full scale plant.
Best practice waste management does not cost the earth, the 3rd National Hazardous and Solid Waste Convention and Trade Exhibition, Sydney, Australia, 26-30 May 1996