Electric arc furnace slag utilization

This paper presents the research that General Mining and Metallurgical SA "LARCO" has carried out and their results, for using Electric Furnace Slag (EFS) in different applications as added value materials. The EFS produced by the company's activities amounts to approximately 2 million tones annually, the company to develop innovative ways for EFS management. Until now, small quantities, ranging from 20 to 30%, of EFS have been sold either to the cement producing industry, or as a sand-blasting material. The developed technology introduces new industrial applications that exploit this metallurgical by-product and minimize the environmental impact of activities related with nickel production. The main advantages would be the minimization of the environmental burden due to the deposition of the EFS and compliance with relevant regulations. Additionally, the full use of EFS as an aggregate substitute would significantly benefit the environment, as fewer raw materials, such as aggregates, would have to be extracted. So, more land would stay intact and less energy would be consummated in the ceramics, cement, and concrete and construction industry. The developed uses of the EFS include: 1. the use of the fine slag (60%, +0.5 -1.5) as a sand-blasting material 2. the use of slag as an inert additive in high strength concrete, in replacement of aggregates 3. the use of slag as an additive in Portland cement, due to its hydraulic properties 4. the use of slag instead of limestone aggregates in the light concrete for the construction of the base of roads 5. the use of slag to produce an anti-slippery blacktop material replacing 100% the limestone aggregates, as well as 6. the use of slag to produce anti-slippery pavement tiles. Also, other uses of slag are described which gave promising results, such as: 1. as an additive for the construction materials production (tiles, bricks), with an increase of about 40% of their mechanical strength without an increase of the roasting temperature 2. in the production of fire fighting bricks to be used in fireplaces or thermal accumulators, with good results 3. as Fetling material to be used in metallurgical smelting furnaces, with good results and last 4. in the production of high strength alumina cement.