Evaluations through Mass Flow Analysis of the production and management of steel slags in the province of Brescia (Italy)

Nowadays, steel production is mainly carried out according to two different processes: integral and electric cycle. Both of these processes generate large amounts of slags that can be destined for treatment/recovery or disposal. In Italy, about 80% of steel production takes place through the electric cycle, in particular in the electric arc furnace (EAF), with a quantity of slag estimated at about 3.5 million tons per year. Most of the production is concentrated in the Northern Italy and in particular in the province of Brescia (Lombardy), which, by itself, is responsible for about 25% of the slag production from electric arc furnace at national level. Depending on the production process and management planning of the individual steel mill, the slag produced could be classified as a by-product or waste. At the moment, about 75% of the slag produced in the province of Brescia and classified as waste is destined for disposal in landfills. A greater reuse of steel slag could bring considerable benefits from both environmental and economic point of view (reduction in the exploitation of land and raw materials, lower greenhouse gas emissions, less space dedicated to landfills etc.). The research is therefore focusing on the study and implementation of different possible applications, in which this material could be a viable alternative to natural products (e.g. the reuse in geotechnical applications, for road construction, asphalt, concrete etc.). In order to fully understand the problem of the steel slag management on a territory, it is necessary to investigate and understand how this material is produced, treated and eventually reused. The Mass Flow Analysis is certainly a valuable tool to understand not only how producers interface with other companies involved in the steel industry (transporters, final users and/or disposers), but also to identify the most appropriate applications to ensure greater recovery of this material, thus limiting the amount destined to the landfill. Through the analysis of data available on regional scale and by means of accurate elaborations, this study aims to represent the “state of the art” concerning the production, management and destination of steel slags produced in the province of Brescia, useful to identify possibilities for improvement and implementation in the reuse of these types of materials.