Characterization of iron and steelmaking wet dust for arsenic remove in wastewaters

ABSTRACTDust originated from the iron and steelmaking containing undesirable compounds are not completely recycled because affects the process efficiency. These types of dust represents an economical lost as a consequence of values contents. However, dust have been characterized physically and chemically in order to study their potential environmental applications, as the removal of arsenic in wastewater. The results shows that dust have a superficial specific area between 16 and 20 m2/g, values considered high, typical of a material with adsorbent properties. Representative results of different tests adsorption of arsenic in the material described indicate that it is possible to reduce the arsenic levels in up to 95% from an initial concentration of 1 mg/L of total arsenic. The results indicate that the iron and steelmaking wet dust may represent a new option as material for the removal of heavy metals in water treatment.