3. Specific water uses by type of industry

3.1 Steel industry

The steel industry is a major consumer of water, particularly for cooling purposes at various stages of the steelmaking process. In order to save this water, semi-open circuits have been used for many years to better adapt to the specific working conditions encountered.

There are two main uses for water in this industry:

• indirect cooling via heat exchangers or semi-open gas scrubbing circuits, often subject to high water temperatures. Make-up water may be decarbonated or demineralized. These circuits can also be closed;

• direct cooling, either as a gas scrubber or for its mechanical action, particularly in descaling, granulation and spraying operations in rolling...