Windbox gas recirculation, as applied to a sinter plant, involves the return of a portion of the windbox exhaust gas to a hood above the sinter bed. The report develops the tradeoffs of recycle ratio versus oxygen content, moisture content, and temperature of the gases about the bed; total power consumption; and other important parameters. The basis for this parametric study, as well as for the full scale design developed therefrom, is operational and emissions data from two large modern sinter plants, taken as part of this effort. Recycle is projected to reduce hydrocarbon emissions to acceptable levels at reduced power consumption and capital cost relative to more conventional approaches. The advantages and disadvantages of various devices for final control of particulates are weighed: a gravel bed filter was the final choice. The report describes Phase 1 of a 2-phase project. Phase 2 will consist of an extensive test and evaluation of the full scale windbox gas recirculation system installed at the National Steel Corporation, Weirton Steel Division, sinter plant.

Contract no. 68-02-1364, program element no. 1AB015, ROAP 21AQR-005. "EPA-600/2-75-014." EPA Project Officer: Robert C. McCrillis. Includes bibliographical references (page 86). For sale by the National Technical Information Service, (Price upon application). 4to.