(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME

4.4.4. Inco Limited, Sudbury/Copper Cliff Operations, Copper Cliff,
Ontario
The following process and environmental control options might possible further
reduce air emissions:
• Wet scrubbing of off-gas from the Fluid Bed Roaster in the smelter, and
recovery of SO 2 to produce sulphuric acid.
• Optimize or replace electrostatic precipitator (ESP #5) used for off-gas
from converting.
• The implementation of continuous converting of flash furnace matte,
wet scrubbing of the process gases and recovery of S0 2 for sulphuric
acid production. This would be substantially more costly than the first
option, but would result in a very much larger reduction of emissions.
Inco Copper Cliff was required under a Control Order from the Ontario Ministry of
Environment to study technically and economically feasible ways to reduce
sulphur dioxide emissions to 175,000 tonnes per year. A study was submitted to
the MOE in 1999. Fluidized Bed Roaster off-gas scrubbing was identified as the
most promising option to achieved this reduction.
Table 73 provides a summary of the potential releases from the Inco Copper Cliff
complex in 2008 and beyond 2008.
Table 73: Inco Copper Cliff Emission Reductions in 2008 and Beyond
Parameter 1988 1998 2008 projection 2015 projection
Total
Particulate
Matter
Sulphur
Dioxide
(tonnes) (tonnes) (tonnes) % reduction
from 1988
(tonnes)
% reduction from
1988
6,410 1,981 1,430 78% 275 96%
658,515 235,000 168,200* 74% 31,500 95%%
Arsenic 35 52.9 14 59% 10 80%
Cadmium
Data not
provided
7.01 6 cannot be
calculated
1 cannot be
calculated
Lead 133 146.7 116 13% 23 83%
Mercury
Not significant
Nickel 1019.3 190 165 84% 146 86%
CEPA-toxics
Total
1187 396.6 301
(total of
above)
75% 180 85%
* Inco Copper Cliff was required under a Control Order from the Ontario Ministry of Environment to study
technically and economically feasible ways to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions to 175,000 tonnes per year.
Inco provided this estimate for sulphur dioxide emissions if the Fluid Bed Roaster off-gas was scrubbed.
Table 74 contains a summary of options to reduce air emissions.
177