The division of Environment Technology and Engineering focuses on the technology research and engineering demonstration of the pollutants recycling and the whole process control in industrial production. In 2021, 57 SCI papers has been published.

The Whole-process Pollution Control Technology in“13th Five-Year”Scientific and Technological Innovation Achievements Exhibition

The Institute Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences has overcome a series of major technical bottlenecks, created the whole process control system of water pollution in the iron and steel industry, and completed the whole process pollution control demonstration projects in HBJS group Hansteel company, including coking wastewater, comprehensive wastewater and high salt wastewater treatment projects, water saving and reuse projects, global water network optimization and intelligent control platform, etc. Compared with 2016, the fresh water consumption decreased by 34% (2.25m³/t steel), and the wastewater discharged decreased by 83% (0.17m³/t steel).

Fig. 1  The Whole-process Pollution Control Technology in“13th Five-Year”Scientific and Technological Innovation Achievements Exhibition

High Circulation Ratio of Sintering Flue Gas Recycling Technology

In 2021, ECT group has developed the high circulation ratio of sintering flue gas recycling technology. The technology has been applied in Tanggang 360m² sintering machine. With a sintering flue gas recycling rate of 20%, total sintering smoke volume reduced by 11%, solid fuel consumption reduced by 5%, sinter production improved by 5%. Pilot study on fine desulfurization of blast furnace gas has also been carried out by ECT group. The system desulfurization efficiency maintains over 95%. 13 invention patents, 1 PCT international patent and 2 software copyright registration have been applicated. 2 the United States patents, 2 Japanese patents and 13 Chinese invention patents have been authorized. 13 SCI papers have been published. The first prize of Environmental Protection Science and Technology Award of Ministry of Ecology and Environment has been won.

Fig. 2  Tanggang 360m² sintering machine flue gas recycling demonstration

The integrated pretreatment equipment

In the recycling process of decommissioned lithium-ion batteries, pretreatment is the basis for directional extraction and high-value transformation of critical resources, which can fundamentally shorten the product transformation path and reduce pollution and carbon dioxide emission. The integrated pretreatment equipment was developed, so as to realize the full-automatic and efficient recovery of multiple varieties, models and large quantities of waste lithium-ion batteries. The recovery rate of positive and negative materials is more than 98%. The recovery rate of copper and aluminum is more than 92% and 90%, respectively. The equipment has been successfully debugged and operated in the enterprise as a whole.

Fig. 3  The integrated pretreatment equipment

Nanofibrous Membrane

Nanofibrous membrane with the properties of environmental-friendly, ultra-thin elastic, high breathable and weatherproof is the most promising waterproof and breathable material for functional garments. Only a few foreign companies can produce a small amount. Our research department firstly proposed a dilute-solvent-welding technology based on the solution thermodynamics, and achieved a breakthrough in mass production equipment and process. The Hydrostatic pressure, breathable index of the produced membrane are up to 3 times of the national standard requirements. In cooperation with a state-owned textile enterprise, the nanofibrous membrane was successfully applied in the active-thermal clothing project entrusted by the Winter Sports Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, and providing protection for athletes of 13 teams including the National alpine ski team in 2022 Winter Olympic Games.