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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF STEELMAKING FURNACE DUST DISPOSAL METHODS
Citation:
Weant, G., III, AND M. Overcash. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF STEELMAKING FURNACE DUST DISPOSAL METHODS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-77/044.
Description:
The report gives results of a study to examine the nature of steelmaking furnace residues and disposal techniques, and to assess potential problems associated with residue disposal, a potential multimedia environmental problem. Solubilization tests of 18 furnace residue samples showed that the amount of metals extracted from the solids is a small percentage (less than 10 percent) of the total amount available in the residues, except for antimony and (in some cases) cobalt and zinc. Organic analysis of the solute showed low total organic carbon, except in four electric furnace samples. Further analysis of these four samples showed the types of products normally associated with the distillation of mineral- or petroleum-based lubricating oils. The study concludes that potential exists for environmental degradation from the disposal of these furnace residues. Due to variations in residue characteristics, climatic and topographic conditions, and disposal site configurations, a site by site investigation is necessary to further evaluate these environmental problems. The study also concludes that, although residue recycling is not economically feasible on a plant by plant basis, regional recycle plants can be operated profitably in some areas.