Title: Release behaviour of chromium from ferrochrome slag

Authors: C.R. Panda; K.K. Mishra; B.D. Nayak; D.S. Rao; B.B. Nayak

Addresses: Department of Civil engineering, Institute of Technical Education & Research, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar 751030, Odisha, India. ' Department of Civil engineering, Institute of Technical Education & Research, Siksha O Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar 751030, Odisha, India. ' Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Bhubaneswar 751013, Odisha, India. ' Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Bhubaneswar 751013, Odisha, India. ' Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Bhubaneswar 751013, Odisha, India

Abstract: Huge amount of ferrochrome slag, a solid waste is being generated from submerged electric arc furnace during manufacturing of ferrochrome alloy. The waste slag contains about 6-12% chromium as chromium oxide and it has the potentiality of releasing hazardous chromium compounds. Although chromium exists in the slag as highly immobile Cr (III) state, there is possibility of chromium release under different adverse conditions inter alia its conversion to highly leachable Cr (VI) state. While Cr (III) is an essential trace element in glucose synthesis, the Cr (VI) compounds are very toxic and highly leachable. This leaching characteristic may classify the slag as hazardous waste and restricts its use and disposal. Release of chromium from granulated slag was evaluated under laboratory batch studies with varying different experimental conditions. The results were analysed to find the conditions for maximum release of total chromium from the slag.

Keywords: chromium (VI); chromium (III); ferrochrome slag; spinel; TCLP; redox chemistry; chromium release; solid waste management; SWM; submerged electric arc furnaces; ferrochrome alloys; leachate; hazardous waste; environmental pollution.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2012.049227

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2012 Vol.15 No.3/4/5/6, pp.261 - 274

Published online: 17 Dec 2014 *

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