Quantitative and qualitative analysis of slags from zinc and lead metallurgy

Abstract

The zinc and lead industry generates substantial quantities of waste. Among the many types of wastes, such as dust or liquid, a large proportion are solid waste such as slags. The purpose of the study was the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the short rotary kiln slags and slags deposited in a hazardous waste landfill originating from zinc and lead metallurgy. This assessment represents the primary step in evaluating materials such as slags concerning their potential for substantial applications, such as process for metal separation. Additionally, this evaluation forms the basis for a comprehensive environmental study. The concentrations of the four predominant metals – Fe>Pb>Zn>Cu – and accompanying elements – Na>Ca>K>Ni>Mn>Cr – were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) after aqua regia digestion. A large variation was found in the phase analysis of the studied materials based on SEM, XRD, X-ray microanalysis, and BCR sequential extraction. The BCR analysis revealed the occurrence of major metals in four different fractions: acid-soluble, reducible, oxidizable, and residual. Pb was mainly present in the acid-soluble fraction, while Fe, Cu, and Zn were present in the residual fraction.

Keywords

• heavy metal-containing slags
• bcr sequential extraction
• zinc and lead metallurgy
• aas