Emission Characteristics and Control of Heavy Metals in Secondary Copper Smelting Process

Abstract

Secondary copper smelting is an important source of heavy metal emission. Flue gas samples were collected from different stages in secondary copper smelters to study the emission characteristics and control of particulate matters (PM) and heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, As, Pb, Sn, and Sb. The mass concentrations of heavy metals in flue gas and fly ash were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The emission factors of heavy metals were estimated. The results showed that the mass concentrations of heavy metals and PM in the flue gas were high in the cooling stage. After passing through a series of air pollution control devices, such as a bag filter and adsorption tower, the heavy metals and PM were simultaneously removed with a removal efficiency of 80%-99%. The concentration order of heavy metals in the stack gas from different anode furnace stages followed feeding-fusion>oxidation≈deoxidization. In general, the mass concentrations of heavy metals and PM in the stack gas could meet the industry emission standards. The average emission factors of As, Pb, Cr, Sn, Sb, and Cd were 2.6×103, 2.4×103, 2.7×103, 5.6×102, 34.1, and 9.8 mg·t-1, respectively. This could provide data support for estimating the annual emission amounts of heavy metals from the secondary copper industry and establishing the emission inventories. The fly ash contained high concentrations of Cu and Zn, which can be recycled as raw materials for recycling the valuable metals.