The use of carbon-containing wastes of aluminum production in ferrous metallurgy

Abstract

The article discusses the prospects of recycling the most massive wastes of aluminum production (namely, used cathode blocks of electrolyzers, gas treatment dust, gas treatment residue, and flotation tailing). It have been indicated the volumes of wasteaccumulation and a special attention has been focused on the need of their disposal with a view to improve the environmental conditions of the territories adjacent to the industrial zones. Specific characteristics of the generated waste have been determined, which indicate the possibility of their secondary use and transfer from waste to by-products.Existing technical solutions relevant to the issue have been reviewed, and the reasons preventing their implementation have been explained. The most promising methods of waste processing to be carried out successfully in the current economic conditions have been identified. Spent cathode blocks can be used at ferrous metallurgy enterprises (in blast furnaces and converters) as a substitute for expensive coke and fluorspar, and finely dispersed waste can be used at cement enterprises. The areas have been determined that in the future will significantly increase the volume of processing and the demand for these wastes of the aluminum industry in technological processes of ferrous metallurgy. The possibilities for cooperation between aluminum refineries and ferrous metallurgy enterprises, as well as other related industries, were emphasized in detail.