Separation of ZnO from the Stainless Steelmaking Dust and Graphite Mixture by Microwave Irradiation

Abstract

In this study, microwave was used to treat stainless steelmaking dust containing zinc oxide. The effects of heating time, carbon content and zinc oxide content on the removal efficiency of zinc oxide and the reduction efficiency of iron oxide were investigated. Experimental results show that, for the sample with 16% (mass percent, the same below) graphite heated for 10 minutes by 10 kW power microwave, the removal efficiency of zinc oxide is between 80% and 90% and the metallization ratio of iron oxide is between 40% and 60%; Initial zinc oxide content has a slight effect on the removal efficiency of zinc oxide. The results indicate microwave treatment is one of the feasible ways to process metallurgical solid waste containing the metal with low boiling point.

Keywords

• microwave heating
• stainless steelmaking dust
• carbon thermal reduction
• zinc removal
• 05.70.-a
• 07.57.-c