Potential Reuse of Slag from the Kambara Reactor Desulfurization Process of Iron in an Acidic Mine Drainage Treatment

Abstract

Kambara reactor desulfurization slag (KR slag) is a solid waste generated from the desulfurization process of molten iron by a KR mechanical stirring process in a steel factory. Most of the KR slag is sent to landfills or stored on-site. The KR slag may be potentially used in an acidic mine drainage (AMD) treatment process as a replacement of lime due to its high CaO content. This research focused on the physicochemical properties of the KR slag samples collected from a steel corporation in China and its potential treatment of AMD. Two samples were analyzed for major minerals by X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size distribution, chemical compositions, and morphology by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the chemical compositions of the KR slag were CaO,