Characterization of stainless steel pickling bath sludge and its solidification/stabilization

X-ray diffractometer analysis of stainless steel sulfuric acid pickling bath sludge shows that it contains FeCr2O4, NiCr2O4, NiCrO4, and Cr2O3, which do not dissolve in the acids. X-ray fluorescent spectroscopy (XRF) study reveals that chromium concentration in the sludge is as high as in stainless steel, whereas nickel concentration is on lower side and iron is the major constituent of the sludge. Cement-sludge sand mortar cubes have been prepared in the laboratory. Compressive strength of these cubes decreases linearly with increase in sludge content. As per US EPA TCLP test, heavy metal (Cr and Ni) concentrations are negligible in leachate of cement-sludge sand mortar cubes at 28 days of curing. Hence, cement-sludge sand mortar cubes can be made for safe disposal of sludge.