Removal of Heavy Metals from Steel Making Waste Water by Using Electric Arc Furnace Slag

by CL Beh, Luqman Chuah, Thomas S.Y. Choong, Khalina Abdan, T. Vjayan

Publisher - Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia

Category - General Novel

Problem statement: Steel making slag from Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) is an abundant by-product in Malaysia steel making industry. It has potential to be used for heavy metal removal from contaminated water or waste water. Approach: The main objective of this study is to develop and investigate the EAF slag as a low cost yet effective absorbent for treating industrial waste waters containing heavy metal ions in a fixed bed column. Important parameters such as TSS, BOD, COD and concentration of heavy metals were analyzed and compared to Malaysia Standard B of acceptable conditions for discharge of industrial effluent, Industrial Effluent Regulations, 2009. Results: The raw wastewater does not follow Standard B, having high values of BOD, COD, TSS, Iron, Zinc, Manganese and Copper. After passing through the fixed bed column, BOD, COD and TSS values decreased to 1.6, 6.3 and and <2 mg/L respectively while the concentration of Iron, Zinc, Manganese and Copper were 0.08, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.07 mg/L respectively. The treated wastewater is meeting the Standard B. Conclusion: From the results, it was concluded that the EAF slag can be an efficient adsorbent to treat industrial wastewater by removing heavy metals in wastewater treatment system, producing treated water that comply the Standard B of Industrial Effluent Regulations, 2009.

Please login to borrow the book.