It is reported that Essar Steel Algoma has successfully started up a new 70 MW cogeneration facility. A final performance test on June 13th 2009 confirmed the facility meets all necessary operating standards as required by the Ontario Power Authority.

The facility converts by product fuels from the coke making and iron making processes into electricity and steam for the steelworks. It features two 375,000 pound per hour boilers and a 105 MW turbine combined with other related components, including a generator, blast furnace gas holder, condensate and feed water systems, water treatment plant, cooling tower, transformer and distributed control system.

The facility reduces Essar Steel Algoma’s reliance on the provincial power grid by 50% on average, freeing up this capacity for the rest of Ontario. By employing low NOx burner technology and by eliminating the need to flare by-product fuel, the facility will reduce the company’s nitrous oxide emissions by 15%. Essar is the first integrated steel manufacturer in Canada to construct a cogeneration facility fueled with by product gas from the operation.

(Sourced from www.industrialheating.com)