In 2013 “Zaporizhstal” Integrated Iron and Steel Works reduced the natural gas consumption by approximately 100 million cubic meters (or 29%) as compared with the same period in 2012 (332 million cubic meters were used in 2012, and in 2013 — 236 million cubic meters).
Rational use of energy resources is among the priority tasks of “Zaporizhstal” Integrated Iron and Steel Works, which are being carried out within the strategy of Metinvest Group. Significant decrease in consumption of the high-priced natural gas in the Works’ production in 2013 became possible due to implementation of a number of measures on modernization of the equipment, use of the modern automated energy resources consumption control systems, implementation of the new energy saving technologies. Thus, the energy saving pulverized coal injection technology has been successfully implemented at “Zaporizhstal” Integrated Iron and Steel Works, which enabled the Works to completely abandon the natural gas consumption in the blast-furnace process.
In particular, due to transition from natural gas to coke oven gas in rolling and in power system management of the Works, as well as to decrease in cold blast loss during its transportation from the CHP plant to the blast furnace shop and to optimization of the heat schedules over areas of continuous furnaces, the economical benefits in 2013 amounted to about 284.3 million UAH.
“The Works not only increases its competitiveness, but also substantially contributes to the solution of an important macroeconomic objective of Ukraine to efficiently use and save energy resources”, stated the General Director of “Zaporizhstal” Integrated Iron and Steel Works Rostislav Shurma.
It bears reminding that there is an energy management system in accordance with the international standard ISO 50001 active at the Works.