Context
Carmat is a research and development project for environmental technologies in collaboration with several research centers, including the “CRM-ETP” technology platform. This project proposes to use the CO2 present in waste gases from the iron and steel industry to manufacture marketable products from demetallized slag that has little or no value, using an original carbonation process. In the course of this study, three types of products targeting different applications will be developed:
- synthetic aggregates that can replace sand in road applications;
- solid parts (building blocks, interlocking paving stones) for the construction industry;
- solid pieces with a good surface quality for paving or terraces in place of natural stone.
To achieve these objectives, the project includes the development of an experimental pilot-scale production unit, which will also be used to size the future industrial unit at the Marchienne-au-Pont site. The ISSeP’s mission is to carry out an overall toxicological and environmental analysis of the pilot plant in operation (dust emissions, management of untreated slag flows, etc.), with a view to identifying areas at risk and taking appropriate action.
Activity
Continuing studies on the environmental and health impacts of industrial processes similar to those to be used in the project.
According to the new work schedule, the pilot tests are scheduled to start at the beginning of 2014; only then will the tasks “Quantification and characterization of effluents emitted into the environment by the pilot plant via monitoring of the tests carried out” and “Assessment of the risks of pollutant transfer to groundwater and soil via runoff and percolation water. Recommendations for runoff storage, harvesting and treatment systems” can be implemented.