LEACHING OF HEAVY METALS FROM THE STEEL SLAG UNDER VARIABLE CONDITIONS

Leaching of metals from steel slag in a systematic manner would lead to the recovery of the metals. Leaching studies are performed on the steel slag under the acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions. Effect of different conditions on the leaching of heavy metals such as Bi, Pd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As and Fe are analyzed from the steel slag set for the period for 7 days, 30 days and 50 days. The L/S ratio of 10 is used for all the studies. The leaching pattern has been discussed.The study on the steel slag shows that metals such as Cr, Fe, Ni, Zn and Pd leach out more under acidic conditions whereas metals such as Bi, Cu and As leach out more under alkaline conditions. Apart from As most of the metals were found to be leaching within the permissible limits. It is also found that the returns on the metal recovery is very less and is found to be very uneconomical