Sahaviriya Steel Industries PLC or “SSI” cooperated with the Innovative Processing and Recycling of Metals Research Center, School of Metallurgical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) and Innovation in Raw Materials and Primary Industries Division, Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM), Ministry of Industry brought deteriorated hydrochloric acid from steel manufacturing process of SSI to produce iron oxide product (hematite – FE203) to use as raw material for production of rustproof paint under the “Project to Promote and Develop the Recycled Technology for Development of Wastes to Renewable Sources in Prachuab Khirikhan, Petchburi and Phitsanulok Provinces”. In this regard, potential waste had undergone the recycled technology experiment at the laboratory then reused and further developed commercially to use as renewable resources in the industrial sectors of the country.
Team of researchers led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Sakhob Kumkoa, the project consultant, visited the site area to conduct feasibility study of waste (hydrochloric acid) then collected sample of deteriorated hydrochloric acid at SSI plant to analyze and study in the laboratory. Results from the research revealed that deteriorated hydrochloric acid from hot rolled steel sheet in coils factory can be produced to iron oxide product (hematite – FE203) with purity not less than 97 percent. Hematite is main raw material for production of rustproof paint, and it can be commercially expanded, so it is regarded as usage of recycled technology for development of wastes to renewable source, zero waste and to support circular economy for the organization and the community on sustainable basis.
On 29-30 September 2022, Innovation in Raw Materials and Primary Industries Division, Department of Primary Industries and Mines, Ministry of Industry jointly with Innovative Processing and Recycling of Metals Research Center, School of Metallurgical Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology disseminated the research results at the technology transfer seminar and workshop under the Project to Promote and Develop the Recycled Technology for Development of Wastes to Renewable Sources in Prachuab Khirikhan, Petchburi and Phitsanulok Provinces.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sakhob Kumkoa, the project consultant, said that “waste like deteriorated hydrochloric acid which is derived from corrosion process at surface of hot rolled steel sheet composed of steel as component of approximately 233 grams per liter. When it is used to produce hematite, it can retrieve potential and benefits of steel. Therefore, not only cost for waste disposal can be saved, hematite can be sold to produce as paint powder to further produce rustproof paint and it has the possibility to further develop commercially. At present, Thailand has to import 100% of paint power which is raw material for producing rustproof paint and there is no such kind of business operation and production in Thailand. Moreover, such paint power can still be used in ink and plastic industry. Team of researchers would like to thank SSI for providing information and raw material for this study which is one of the projects to enhance Circular Economy and Zero Waste Society generated from steel production process”.