Emissions of Hydrochloric Acid Vapors Generated by Pickling Process from Cold Rolling Mill of Steel Strips

Abstract

The most important pollutant emitted in the sector of pickling within a cold strip mill in an integrated steel mill are the hydrochloric acid vapors. This work presents the chemical reactions between the hydrochloric acid and iron oxides layers formed on the surface of the steel strip after the hot rolling process and it analyzes different areas of the pickling line as generators of acid vapors. The measurement values of hydrochloric acid vapors concentrations in the working atmosphere are correlated with the operational regimes and with occupational exposure limit values according to national legislation. Finally, solutions that can be applied to reduce emissions of hydrochloric acid vapor in the sector of analysis are presented.