Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T20:16:24.774Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

A process engineering approach to remedy an environmental problem of fugitive lead emissions during lead refining

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Liming Wang*
Affiliation:
Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Center for Pyrometallurgy, University of Missouri—Rolla, Rolla, Missouri 65401
Arthur E. Morris
Affiliation:
Department of Metallurgical Engineering, Center for Pyrometallurgy, University of Missouri—Rolla, Rolla, Missouri 65401
*
a)Present address: Bricmont Engineering, 395 Valley Brook Road, McMurray, Pennsylvania 15317.
Get access

Abstract

The refining of lead blast furnace bullion involves the transfer and handling of hot impure lead bullion. Fugitive emissions of lead-containing fumes create a plant hygiene problem. The cause of the emissions is the high vapor pressure of lead and its compounds when lead blast furnace bullion is transferred in an open ladle at ∼1000 °C from the blast furnace and poured into the drossing kettle, and later during the manual skimming of powdery dross. A laboratory study was conducted on a new concept for lead refining that eliminates contact between hot lead and the cnvironment, and thus abates fugitive lead emissions. The new process takes place in two steps: controlled solidification of bullion as it flows from the blast furnace, followed by remelting in a closed centrifuge to separate lead and dross. Refined lead was produced with <0.05% copper and <0.01% of all other impurities. Suggestions are outlined for implementing the process.

Type
Environmentally Benign Materials and Processes
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1Thomas, R., E/MJ Operating Handbook of Mineral Processing (McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, 1977), Vol. 1, pp. 299303.Google Scholar
2Davey, T. R. A., Lead-Zinc-Tin '80, edited by Cigan, J. M., Mackey, T. S., and O'Keefe, T.J. (TMS-AIME, Warrendale, PA, 1979), pp. 477505.Google Scholar
3Kirk-Othmer, , Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd ed. (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1986), Vol. 14, pp. 109137.Google Scholar