Title : Characterization of zinc in blast furnace sludge in an integrated steel plant
Abstract:
Blast furnace sludge (BF sludge) is a major by product produced in the blast furnace during the iron making process. This sludge contains mainly iron, carbon and other oxides of calcium, aluminium, magnesium and can be recycled back in the iron-making process through addition as a component in processed solid waste (PSW) used in making sinter. This sludge also contains elements such as zinc which can potentially harm the refractories of the blast furnace. In Tata Steel Kalinganagar, the typical zinc content in the sludge is ranging between 15-40% which is significantly high and is not desirable during the recycling process. This resulted in piling up of the sludge as the same could not be taken for the recycling process. Although the objective of halting sludge addition was to control zinc, piled up sludge was another issue to be taken care so as to avoid storage issues. The objective of the present work was to do a thorough chemical characterization of the sludge so as to understand more about the zinc content. This can be a guiding point for separation and value addition of zinc so that useful zinc containing products can be derived which can be of economic interest. The authors have carried out x-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy analysis. Particle size distribution (PSD) analysis was also done to check the effect of particle size in the analysis of sludge.
Audience Takeaway Notes:
- The significance of the work lies in characterization of zinc in the blast furnace sludge.
- Application of different characterization techniques in testing of industrial by-products.
- The work can be a guiding point for generation of zinc based products which can be of economic interest in a integrated steel plant.
- The present work provides useful insights for thinking of new possibilities in utilization of metallurgical wastes such as sludges.
