Laboratory investigation of Waelz slag stabilization

Electric Arc Furnace dusts are considered hazardous waste due to their high heavy metals content (zinc, lead, etc.). The Waelz process is one of the most efficient technologies, in terms of capacity and quality, able to recover nearly the 90% of zinc contained in such EAF dusts. Unfortunately, the resulting slag still has eco-compatibility problems, although its mechanical and chemical properties are suitable for civil engineering applications. Stabilization tests, by quartz addition, were performed on EAF dusts in a laboratory furnace. Temperature, treatment time and cooling rate were varied in order to define the best conditions for regulating the formation of a stable microstructure able to hinder the release of substances. Microstructural characterization was carried-out using SEM and XRD analysis. Leaching tests were performed according to EN 12457-2 standards and water analyses were performed using ICP-OES. The best chemical stability was achieved when dust powders were mixed with 20% of silica and water-cooled.