Multi-million investment by KGHM to protect the environment - work continues at the Legnica Copper Smelter and Refinery
The copper giant will nearly completely eliminate arsenic and mercury emissions with a new Post-Process Gas Treatment Plant. This is the first such investment in Poland and one of several globally. In just a month and a half this innovative node in the SOLINOX plant at the Legnica Copper Smelter and Refinery will treat gases to reduce the content of these elements to a level of no more than 0.05 mg/Nm3. This is another element of the BATAs Program that KGHM is successfully implementing.
KGHM will soon finish the construction of an additional node at the existing SOLINOX plant, followed by its commissioning. The process line will not only remove sulfur dioxide from the waste gas, but will allow the gas purification process to be conducted at the highest level to virtually eliminate arsenic and mercury emissions.
Globally proven solutions
The system uses the globally proven calomel technique. Its greatest advantage is the low quantity of waste produced. KGHM is the first company in Poland to use this technologically-advanced method.
The plant consists of two wet electrostatic precipitators in the first treatment stage, two in the second stage, and a calomel tower located between them. The gases exiting the existing cooling tower are routed to the first-stage wet electrostatic precipitator unit, after which they go to the absorption tower of the calomel system where they are treated to remove mercury compounds. The final dedusting and cleaning of the gas is carried out in the second-stage wet electrostatic precipitator unit.
Bipromet, a KGHM Group company, is responsible for the design and construction of the system. Currently, a team of specialists from the Legnica Copper Smelter and Refinery, together with representatives of the contractor, is conducting technological commissioning of the new SOLINOX node. In early March this year, a series of tests for the guaranteed parameters were carried out, with positive results. The tests confirmed the proper operation of the system and proved that the node reduces the content of arsenic and mercury compounds in process gases to levels below 0.05 mg/Nm3.
The final step, which is already underway, is for the contractor to meet a number of formal conditions, which will end with the official handover of the wet treatment installation to the Legnica Copper Smelter and Refinery.
KGHM for cleaner air
KGHM considers environmental protection as one of its strategic areas. In 2022, the Company spent about PLN 250 million on pro-environmental investment projects. Its modernization of production and technological solutions always takes into account environmental aspects.
Since 2017, the company has been implementing the “Program for adaptation of KGHM’s process systems to the requirements of the BAT (best available techniques) Conclusions for the non-ferrous metals industry, together with a reduction of arsenic emissions.”
For many years, KGHM has also been providing funds for “Health Promotion Clinics” in Głogów and Legnica, which are open to all residents.