Environment

Selecting appropriate fuels

Fuel quality is continuously monitored throughout the entire thermal and electrical energy production process.
The company employs a detailed supplier selection procedure. Each supplier is required to possess the required quality documents:

• coal – certificate of origin,
• biomass – KZR INiG certificate or other certificate compliant with the RED II (+POS) directive,
• fuel oil – quality certificate.

Fuel parameters are verified in the company laboratory, to the extent consistent with the quality documentation (including sulfur content). Additionally, coal testing, including analysis of petrographic composition and vitrinite reflectance, is commissioned to specialized external entities to monitor coal type.

Reducing Air Emissions

To reduce emissions of sulfur oxides (SO₂, SO₃), hydrogen chlorides (HCl), and hydrogen fluorides (HF), the boilers are equipped with a flue gas desulfurization system operating using semi-dry technology in a circulating fluidized bed reactor (CFS). An integral element of the system is a bag filter, which retains the post-reaction product captured from the flue gases before it is released into the atmosphere.
To reduce nitrogen oxide emissions, all boilers utilize:
• primary methods (combustion process optimization),
• secondary methods – non-catalytic flue gas denitrification systems (SNCR).
To reduce dust emissions, each boiler is equipped with an electrostatic precipitator with high dust removal efficiency, and additional dust removal is performed in the desulfurization system’s bag filter.
These solutions ensure compliance with the emission standards specified in the Integrated Permit.

Efficient waste management

The production processes of EC Zagłębie Dąbrowskie sp. z o.o. generate waste from the combustion of fuels, in particular:

• 10 01 01 – Slag, bottom ash, and boiler dust (excluding boiler dust listed in 10 01 04),
• 10 01 02 – Coal fly ash,
• 10 01 82 – Mixtures of fly ash and solid waste from calcium-based flue gas desulfurization methods (dry and semi-dry flue gas desulfurization methods and fluidized bed combustion).

The waste is regularly tested and is fully transferred to authorized recipients with the required environmental permits. It is then used in recovery processes, including as components of construction materials, for backfilling mine workings, and for land leveling.

Rational water and sewage management

In accordance with the requirements of BAT conclusions, EC Zagłębie Dąbrowskie sp. z o.o. pursues a policy of rational water management. Water is used primarily for technological purposes:

• Surface water is used to replenish losses in the cooling circuit and – after treatment at the demineralization station – to replenish the boiler circuit.
• Tap water is used primarily for social, living, and fire-fighting purposes (approx. 90%), with the remaining water being used to replenish losses in the boiler and heating circuits.

The company reduces water consumption by minimizing losses in closed circuits and using process wastewater to replenish the slag removal circuit. Various wastewater streams are generated at the plant and are separated and directed according to their nature:

• Domestic wastewater is discharged to the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Będzin pursuant to a signed agreement,
• Rainwater and meltwater are discharged into the Przemsza River and used to supplement the hydro-slag removal system,
• Industrial wastewater (including from the demineralization plant) is discharged into the Przemsza River after neutralization,
• Cooling water from the cooling system is discharged into the Przemsza River in accordance with applicable permits.