Uptake of phosphates from water solutions on metallurgical sludge

Abstract

Steel-making dust slurry (SS) and convertor dust slurry (CS) were tested for uptake of phosphates from aqueous solutions. The adsorption of phosphates on SS and CS corresponded well with both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, which indicated the combination of physical and chemical processes. The maximum adsorbed amount of phosphates on both dust slurry samples was ca. 11 mg P/g. The study evaluates also the effect of acidic leaching on the retention characteristics of both dust slurry samples. From the slurry samples prepared by acidic leaching, the leached convertor dust slurry (CSL) was the only sample capable to retain phosphates. To reveal the retention mechanisms of phosphates, the original and leached dust slurry samples were analyzed by IR and Raman spectroscopy. Co-precipitation of Ca and Fe phosphates, or surface complexation of phosphates were evaluated as the retention mechanisms of CS and CSL while the retention of phosphates by zincite in the case of SS is probably based on their adsorption.