Environmental-friendly view on steel industry dust and sludge as secondary raw materials-analysis and evaluation of the characteristic properties

Aim: To analyze the characteristic properties of dust and sludge from steel converters and to evaluate the perspectives of their reuse. Methodology: In order to evaluate the properties of samples, standard research designs were followed. Different methods such as titration, atomic absorption spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma, optical emission spectrometry and combustion/fusion analyses were followed. Results: In a series of experiments, the percentage Fe and Fe oxides, calcium and zinc oxides as well as the amount of quartz were determined. A large amount of precious metals and materials in the study samples were recovered by suitable techniques. Instead of polluting the environment, the secondary products of steelmaking process can be reused. Interpretation: The work is important from the environmental point as it brings a complex view on the characteristic properties of steel industry dusts and sludges in the shape of physico-chemical and morphological properties, granulometric composition, and mineralogical analysis. This knowledge might bring better understanding of recycling perspectives of these items not only in the case of their pyrometallurgical processing. Key words: Dust, Recycling, Secondary raw materials, Sludge, Steel industry