Processing Dross from Hot-Dip Galvanizing by Chlorination Roasting

Dross from hot-dip galvanizing is an important source of pure zinc ingots and zinc oxide for use as mineral additives in animal and poultry feed. Thermodynamic calculations have shown the possibility of solving the issue of dross processing by roasting using CaCl2 and NH4Cl. The influence of the consumption of chlorinating reagents, the roasting temperature on the degree of sublimation of Pb, Fe, Ni, Cu and Cd has been investigated. It has been shown that the best results are achieved when roasting the dross with the simultaneous use of CaCl2 and NH4Cl in amounts of 6 and 15% by weight of the feed material. The optimal roasting parameters were established: T = 1000 °C, duration—60 min, air flow—0.1 L/min. Recovered pure zinc oxide composition (%) was: 0.05 Pb, 0.15 Fe, 0.06 Ni, 0.003 Cu and 0.001 Cd. The degree of sublimation of copper, nickel and iron chlorides was ~75%, with lead and cadmium at 90–98% of their initial amount in the dross.