Editors: | F. Kongoli, R. Fehrmann, V. Papangelakis, I. Paspaliaris, G. Saevarsdottir, G. Kipouros, R. Singh, F. Wang, D. Macdonald, R. Gupta, M. Barinova, F. Ahmed, H. Ozgunay, K. Tang, N.N. Thanh, C. Gaidau, K. Kolomaznik |
Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
Publication Year: | 2023 |
Pages: | 114 pages |
ISBN: | 978-1-989820-98-8 (CD) |
ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
Slags from primary lead industry are well known as potential resource for zinc which is accumulated in the slag during lead smelting. At some of the smelters a subsequent fuming process is installed to recover zinc which is usually present in a range between 4 to 16 %.
However, at many lead producers this is not the case and the slag is landfilled. Out of this, over the years, a huge number of dumps was generated worldwide. The Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy at Montanuniverstaet Leoben has developed possible strategies to treat such slags in a way that zinc and lead can be recovered and the remaining mineral phase containing first of all typical slag components can also be utilized. These concepts allow a full remediation of a dumpsite or a zero waste treatment of slag from ongoing smelter operations.
The present paper describes the reduction process which is performed under CO2-neutral conditions, utilizing either hydrogen or charcoal. Furthermore, possibilities for slag modification and optimization are explained, allowing a utilization of the slag in building and construction industry. Results from various test campaigns in lab- and technical scale are discussed.
Finally, an overview of the worldwide potential and some process scenarios including economic considerations are presented.