Leaching and geochemical modelling of an electric arc furnace (EAF) and ladle slag heap

Loncnar, Mojca (author), Mladenovič, Ana (author), Zalar Serjun, Vesna (author), Zupančič, Marija (author), Sloot, Hans A. van der (author)

Old metallurgical dumps across Europe represent a loss of valuable land and a potential threat to the environment, especially to groundwater (GW). The Javornik electric arc furnace (EAF) and ladle slag heap, situated in Slovenia, was investigated in this study. The environmental impact of the slag heap was evaluated by combining leaching characterization tests of landfill samples and geochemical modelling. It was shown that throughout the landfill the same minerals and sorptive phases control the leaching of elements of potential concern, despite variations in chemical composi- tion. Although carbonation of the disposed steel slags occurred (molar ratio CO$_3$/(Ca+Mg) = 0.53) relative to fresh slag, it had a limited effect on the leaching behaviour of elements of potential concern. The leaching from the slag heaps had also a limited effect on the quality of the GW. A site-specific case, however, was that leachates from the slag heap were strongly diluted, since a rapid flow of GW fed from the nearby Sava River was observed in the landfill area. The sampling and testing approach applied provides a basis for assessing the long-term impact of release and is a good starting point for evaluating future management options, including beneficial uses for this type of slag.

• Language: English
• Keywords: EAF slag, field verification, geochemical modelling, ladle slag, leaching, release prediction, steel slag heap
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: 21 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 10, iss. 1, art. 10
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-136755
• UDC: 620.1/.2
• ISSN on article: 2305-6304
• DOI: 10.3390/toxics10010010
• COBISS.SI-ID: 92336899
• Publication date in RUL: 19.05.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Toxics
• Shortened title: Toxics
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2305-6304
• COBISS.SI-ID: 520262681

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 01.01.2022

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: EAF žlindra, geokemijsko modeliranje, toplotna stabilnost, ponovčna žlindra, izluževanje, napovedovanje izpustov, odlagališče jeklarske žlindre

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: Z1-1858
• Name: Recikliranje odpadne titanove sadre v cementnih kompozitih

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P2-0273
• Name: Gradbeni objekti in materiali