The Q-BOP vessels are totally enclosed, using both baghouses and scrubbers to remove particulate matter. The Q-BOP process uses oxygen instead of ambient air to refine molten iron into steel. Because there is no nitrogen used in the refining process, no nitrogen oxides are created. The fourth element in Geneva's environmental program is a coke oven gas sulfur removal system. When coal is converted into coke, sulfur dioxide is produced.
Sulfur dioxide contributes to the formation of particulate emissions.
Geneva's new sulfur removal system makes this coke oven gas essentially like the natural gas used to heat homes throughout our community. With the sulfur removal system in place, sulfur emissions are reduced by about ninety-five percent. Approximately five tons of sulfur are removed each day from the coke oven gas and turned into elemental sulfur, which is sold as a by-product. The fifth element of Geneva's environmental program is construction of a sinter plant baghouse.