Leaching of the residue from the dry off-gas de-dusting and desulfurization process of an iron ore sinter plant

The residue from a second-stage dry sinter plant off-gas cleaning process contains both the fine dust from the sinter plant and the sorbent used. Recycling of the material that is usually handled by landfills to the sinter plant feed is not possible because of its chloride con- tent. Leaching of the chlorides allow the recycling of remaining solids. The saline leachate produced contains some heavy metals and must be treated before it is discharged into the sea. In laboratory experiments, leaching tests with the subsequent treatment of the leachate were con- ducted. After the process was optimized, all heavy-metal concentrations were below the permissible values. The optimum treatment condi- tions for heavy-metal precipitation were observed to be the filtration of the suspended solids followed by the dosing of liquid with lime milk （pH 10） and the subsequent precipitation using sodium sulfide.

Chemical composition and physical properties of filter fly ashes from eight grate-fired biomass combustion plants

For the handling, treatment and utilization of fly ash from biomass combustion its chemical composition and physical properties are important. In this study eight filter fly ashes from different grate-fired biomass combustion plants were investigated. In fly ash from straw combustion high concentrations of（K） were found, whereas in the fly ash from wood combustion the concentrations of Ca and Mg were higher. The average concentration of PO3-4was similar in both types of fly ashes. In all wood fly ashes some measured heavy metal concentrations were above the limits for utilization. The straw fly ashes were much less contaminated and can be utilized. For wood fly ash most parameters showed little variation, except from one fly ash where the dust pre-separator is in poor condition. The average values were： mass median diameter 4.3 ± 0.8 μm, spread of particle size distribution19 ± 11, particle density 2620 ± 80 kg/m^3 and angle of repose 50°± 1°. The density of the straw fly ashes is lower（2260 ± 80 kg/m^3） and the spread of the size distribution is higher（72 ± 24）.For one straw combustion fly ash the values of the mass median diameter and the angle of repose were similar to the values of wood combustion fly ash, for the other straw fly ash the values differed considerably. While the particle size of this fly ash was much smaller,surprisingly the angle of repose was also lower. This can be attributed to the formation of small agglomerates in this fly ash, which were not disintegrated without a certain stress.

Chemical composition and properties of ashes from combustion plants using Miscanthus as fuel

Miscanthus giganteus is one of the energy crops considered to show potential for a substantial contribution to sustainable energy production. In the literature there is little data available about the chemical composition of ashes from the combustion of Miscanthus and practically no data about their physical properties. However, for handling, treatment and utilization of the ashes this information is important. In this study ashes from two biomass combustion plants using Miscanthus as fuel were investigated. The density of the ashes was 2230 ± 35 kg/m;, which was similar to the density of ashes from straw combustion. Also the bulk densities were close to those reported for straw ashes. The flowability of the ashes was a little worse than the flowability of ashes from wood combustion. The measured heavy metal concentrations were below the usual limits for utilization of the ashes as soil conditioner. The concentrations in the bottom ash were similar to those reported for ash from forest residue combustion plants. In comparison with cyclone fly ashes from forest residue combustion the measured heavy metal concentrations in the cyclone fly ash were considerably lower. Cl-, S and Zn were enriched in the cyclone fly ash which is also known for ashes from wood combustion. In comparison with literature data obtained from Miscanthus plant material the concentrations of K, Cl-and S were lower.This can be attributed to the fact that the finest fly ash is not collected by the cyclone de-dusting system of the Miscanthus combustion plants.

Flowability of various dusts collected from secondary copper smelter off-gas

Stable flow of off-gas dust from dust collector hoppers and storage silos is important for smooth operation. Flow properties of the collected off-gas dust are critical to achieve suitable flow. Various dust samples collected from secondary copper smelter off-gases were studied. The median diameter of the fine-grained dusts varied from 0.8 to 1.4 μm and the flowability ranged from ＂cohesive＂ to ＂very cohesive＂. The flowa- bility of shaft and anode furnace dust improved slightly with increasing consolidation stress and their wall friction angles decreased, which is a typical behavior. In contrast, the flowability of converter dust decreased with increasing consolidation stress and its wall friction angles increased. Pre-shear treatment of converter dust worsened its flowability, increased the wall friction angle, and improved the flowabil- ity with increasing consolidation stress. This is believed to occur because pre-shear treatment fragments small agglomerates in the dust that improve flowability. The presence of such agglomerates was con- firmed by sieving tests. A diagrammatic representation of the flowability showing that the unconfined yield strength is dependent on consolidation stress can be improved by using logarithmically scaled axes.