Absorption of Lead Ions by Various Types of Steel Slag

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Steel slags are the by products of steel industries, which forms during reduction process of iron melting. The chemical composition of it changes depending to the melting procedure. Its mineralogical composition also varies based on the cooling procedure. Two different types of steel slag were used as absorbing bed for various concentrations of Pb2+ ions in the form of lead chloride, and the concentrations of lead ions were measured in the effluent by atomic absorption spectroscopy. When Electric Arc Furnace slag (EAFS) which is a basic crystalline slag was used in the presence of various concentrations of Pb2+, ranging from 2mg/lit up to 10 mg/lit.  The concentration of lead ions dramatically decreased in the first thirty 30 minute and the remaining ions were absorbed up to 48 hours that the reaction was continuing but with slower rate.  Almost the same thing happened when granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) which is also a basic slag but in the amorphous mineralogical form, was used as the absorbing bed. The extent of ion removal from the solution was much lower compared to EAFS. Based on the results of this study, both types of slags can be used as industrial filters for reduction of lead ions from industrial waste waters.