Zinc Industry Research Articles

Highly cadmium tolerant fungi: their tolerance and removal potential.

BackgroundSoil and effluent of lead and zinc industries contain high concentration of cadmium. The present study was conducted to isolate tolerant fungal strains from cadmium -polluted sites in Zanjan province, Iran.MethodsCadmium tolerance and bioremediation capacity of seven isolates including Aspergilus versicolor, Aspergillus fumigatus, Paecilomyces sp.9, Paecilomyces sp.G, Terichoderma sp, Microsporum sp,Cladosporium sp were determined.ResultsMinimum inhibitory concentration values among 1,000-4,000 mg lˉ1proved great ability of isolated strains to survive in cadmium polluted environments. The most tolerant fungi, Aspergilus versicolor, showed tolerance index of 0.8 in 100 mg lˉ1 cadmium agar media. Fungal resistance against cadmium is depended directly on strain’s biological function.A. versicolor was found to bioaccumulate over7 mg of cadmium per 1 g of mycelium, followed by 5.878, 5.243, and 5.075, 4.557 by Paecilomyces sp, Aspergilus fumigatus, Microsporum sp and Terichoderma sp, respectively.ConclusionIt can be noted that tolerance of the strains appears to be independent from bioaccumulation capacity. Finally, the results indicated that A. versicolor could be a prospective candidate for bioremediation processes.

Replacement Of Reserves Zinc Producers In The Russian Federation Based On The Recycling Of Technogenic Raw Materials

In the article, the key stage of the value chain in the zinc industry of the Russian Federation is considered. The study aims to examine the impact of technological change on the development of value chains in the mining and metallurgical complex in the Urals region. The relevance of the assessment of the impact of technological change on the development of value chains in the processing of primary and technogenic raw materials in terms of the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Complex is grounded. The methodological scheme of analysis of value chains and the impact on them of new technologies are developed in the study. It is shown that the analysis of value chains should be carried out, using as an analytical tool value added as well as a heuristic tool study of the value chain. Analysis of the value chain in the production of primary zinc and technogenic raw materials made in accordance with the proposed approach. An assessment of the value added in the production of zinc from primary raw materials held in the article. The gross volume and dynamics of revenue, net income and the cost of segments of the value chain in zinc production are analyzed. The leading role of the metallurgical segment in the value chain of the zinc industry is established. Share indexes of the metallurgical segment as a control link of the value chain in the structure of the consolidated revenue, profit, cost considered in the dynamics, the dynamics of change in the total expenditure on scientific and technological development and R & D expenditure are investigated. The conclusion about essential influence of new technologies on the change of value chains in terms of zinc production is confirmed.

Assessment of metal risks from different depths of jarosite tailing waste of Trepça Zinc Industry, Kosovo based on BCR procedure

In this paper the modified BCR sequential extraction procedure and potential ecological risk index method were used to access the environmental activity and potential ecological risks of metals in jarosite tailing waste at different depths. Three jarosite tailing waste samples, located in Mitrovica, Kosovo, were taken at the following depths: 20cm, 1m and 2m. Characterization of investigated samples was carried out by various techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analyzer (EDXRF), CHN analyzer, total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer, ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). According to calculated potential ecological risk index, it is confirmed that the mobility of Cd has major environmental impact. The order of potential ecological risk is Cd>Zn>Cu>Ni for all samples, collected from different depths.

Analysis of potential energy conservation and CO2 emissions reduction in China's non-ferrous metals industry from a technology perspective

As the world's largest producer and consumer of ten kinds of non-ferrous metals, China's non-ferrous metals industry accounts for 4.39% of total national energy consumption. It is an energy-intensive industry that faces great challenges related to energy consumption and global climate change. Applying energy-efficient technologies may be a useful strategy for the development of this industry. This paper establishes a technology system within the LEAP model to estimate energy conservation and CO2 emissions abatement potentials for China's non-ferrous metals industry in 2010–2020. Five smelting processes are considered for aluminum, copper, lead, zinc and magnesium. Three scenarios (BAU, LT and HT) are set to simulate different technological policies and calculate abatement potentials. The results indicate that energy consumption and CO2 emissions will continue to grow rapidly as the sector develops. Energy consumption under the BAU scenario will reach 88.15million tce in 2020, 61% higher than in 2010. A maximum of 7.73million tce of energy can be saved and 36.86million tons of CO2 can be reduced under the strongest technology policy scenario (HT) compared to BAU. Energy conservation in aluminum, magnesium, zinc, copper and lead smelting processes account for 72.9%, 13.2%, 10.2%, 2.6% and 1.1% respectively of the total energy savings potential, while the CO2 abatement potential mostly comes from aluminum, which accounts for 86% of the total. Targeted technology policies should be made for different metals: in the aluminum sector for instance, large scale aluminum electrolytic cells above 300kA, new cathode structures and intelligent optimization control technologies could be employed; in the zinc industry, direct leaching and long period electric-deposition could be utilized; in the magnesium industry, new types of kilns could be introduced.

Treatment of mine drainage generated by lead-zinc concentration plant

The purification efficiency in the treatment of the mine drainage generated by the mineral processing industry in Mengzi, Yunnan Project, China, was investigated, and the influences of the treated drainage on the mineral electrodes’ electrochemical behaviors were tested. Experiments with different doses of polyacrylamide (PAM) and polymeric ferric sulfate (PFS) at different pH values were carried out, and the advanced purification by activated carbon (AC) was conducted. Compared with PFS, the better coagulant for removal efficiency is PAM, under the optimal conditions, the removals of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+ and COD reduction from solution were 94.8%, 79.9%, 87.6% and 85%, respectively. In the advanced purification, the particle size of activated carbon and agitation time played important roles in the removal efficiency. Each pollute concentration could meet the emission standard of pollutants for lead and zinc industry (GB25466—2010). The wastewater without treatment affected galena and sphalerite electrochemical behaviors greatly, after treatment by the technology, the effects disappeared, which proved the reliability of the technology for wastewater treatment.

Fueling the Boom: Coal as the Primary Source of Energy for Processing Zinc in China and Comparison with Europe, ca. 1720-1820

AbstractStemming from an examination of the zinc industry in early modern China, this article centers on a detailed survey of coal, the primary source of energy for processing zinc. On the basis of Qing archival documents, this article investigates the previously unknown spatial relationship of zinc ore deposits, coal mines, and zinc smelters; provides quantitative evidence of coal use by estimating the annual consumption of coal in processing zinc; offers a new perspective on the general use of coal in Qing China; and compares the coal-fuel efficiency problem in early European and Chinese zinc production.

Utilisation of by-product jarosite in the manufacture of ordinary Portland cement

Jarosite, a residual by-product generated by the zinc industry during the hydrometallurgical process, contains predominantly Fe2O3, SO3 and alkalis with a small amount of ZnO. These constituents are known to contribute significantly in the formation of clinker mineral phases and, therefore, the jarosite could be an effective mineraliser and activator in the manufacture of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) clinker. This paper highlights the effect of the addition of 0·5–2·0% of typical jarosite in cement raw mixes prepared with different grade limestone samples along with other conventional raw materials. The clinker parameters such as LSF, SM and AM were maintained in the range of 0·92, 2·07–2·18 and 1·01–1·14 respectively. Burnability studies conducted at temperatures of 1300, 1350, 1400 and 1450°C with a retention time of 20 min showed an increase in the rate of lime assimilation and rapid formation of clinker mineral phases. The mineral phase developments and microstructures of laboratory clinkers fired at 1400 ± 5°C were found to be adequate in the presence of the optimum dose of 1·5% jarosite and were comparable to the control clinker (without jarosite addition) prepared at 1450 ± 5°C. The physical performance of the OPC sample thus prepared from the above mineralised clinker showed performance comparable to the control cement. As the jarosite contained heavy elements, a leaching study was carried out by immersing 28 d hardened neat cement cubes in 500 ml distilled water over a period of 24 months in air-tight containers. Leachates such as barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, manganese, zinc, lead and strontium were found to be in negligible amounts.

COORDINATION MECHANISM COMBINING SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION AND RULE IN EXCHANGE

There are two kinds of option pricing. The option pricing in exchange follows the Black–Scholes rule but does not consider the optimizing of supply chain. The traditional supply chain option contract can optimize supply chain but does not meet the Black–Scholes rule. We integrate the assumption of above two kinds of option pricing, and design a model to combine the Black–Scholes rule and traditional option contract of optimizing in a supplier-led supply chain. Our combined model can guide the enterprises to write or buy option considering both option pricing rule in financial market and the optimization of supply chain. Then we simulate and verify the model in Zinc industry of China. It is proved that our option pricing model is equalized and optimal to supply chain and consistent with Black–Scholes rule.

The Ecological Environment Governance Level Evaluation and Countermeasure about the Regional Industrial Focus Fields

Based on empirical research on the 235 valid questionnaires, the evaluation index system of ecological environment governance was established in a regional industry focus areas ,a new combination empowerment method based on information entropy correction AHP, which can reduce the subjective bias, was put forward, and then a two fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was used to evaluate on ecological environment governance about the Hengyang lead and zinc industry focus fields, in order to better solve the evaluation of the regional industry focus field about the ecological environment governance for the Government, and provide a theoretical basis for the discovery of regional industrial problems and countermeasures of eco-environmental governance.

Reuse of Anode Slime Generated by the Zinc Industry to Obtain a Liquor for Manufacturing Electrolytic Manganese

A hydrometallurgical process is proposed in this article to recover manganese from a zinc electrowinning residue. The article describes the digestion-leaching experiments, precipitation, and electrowinning assays to recover Mn from this residue. Anode slime is treated with sulfuric acidic in a furnace within a temperature range of 400–450°C, leached with water, and then filtered. The results show that the dissolution of manganese increases with increasing temperature in the digestion step. The recovery yield of manganese was higher than 90%. As manganese electrolysis requires an electrolyte free of Zn, Ni, Co, and Cu pollutants, the sulfuric acid liquor needs a purification step. Na2S is used to remove pollutants. The results obtained in this study have shown that the proposed process for the recovery of manganese from this type of residue is technically viable.

Investigation into River Sediments Toxicity as a Result of Inappropriate Waste Disposal

Sediments of the São Francisco River basin (Brazil) were investigated to determine the environmental consequences of incorrect disposal of wastes generated by a zinc industry. Surface sediments were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and chemically analyzed by X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Total organic carbon (TOC), acid volatile sulfides (AVSs), and simultaneously extracted metals (SEMs) were also determined. AVS/SEM procedure was employed to assess the bioavailability of the metals in sediments. XRD analyses indicated that the main phases in the sediments were kaolinite and quartz. The total concentration of Zn and Pb, near the old industrial discharge point, indicated high levels of contamination according to the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). According to the AVS/SEM criteria, despite the high levels of zinc and lead in the sediments, the toxicity resulting from these metals is unlikely in most of the samples. However, in one of the samples, collected near the old industrial discharge point, the toxicity is uncertain—according to the USEPA criteria.

Dusts and slimes of steel-smelting aggregates as the raw material for zinc and steel production

Dust and slimes from scrubbing steel-smelting aggregates, their elemental and phase compositions, and the possibility of applying them as the raw material for zinc and steel production are considered. The steel-smelting dust is compared with natural ores in content and form in which recovered components are present. The indices of zinc production in Russia and around the world, as well as the variants of processing the dust of steel-smelting aggregates performed on an industrial scale, are presented. The necessity of a complete switch to metallurgical technologies that are almost wasteless from the viewpoint of iron and zinc is noted. Possible ways that steel and zinc industries can interact are shown.

The environmental cost of misinformation: why the recommendation to use elevated temperatures for handwashing is problematic

Multiple government and health organizations recommend the use of warm or hot water in publications designed to educate the public on best practices for washing one's hands. This is despite research suggesting that the use of an elevated water temperature does not improve handwashing efficacy, but can cause hand irritation. There is reason to believe that the perception that warm or hot water is more effective at cleaning one's hands is pervasive, and may be one factor that is driving up unnecessary energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. We examine handwashing practices and beliefs about water temperature using a survey of 510 adults in the United States. The survey included measures of handwashing frequency, duration, the proportion of time an elevated temperature was used, and beliefs about water temperature and handwashing efficacy. We also estimate the energy consumed and resultant carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2eq) in the U.S. due to the use of elevated temperatures during handwashing. Participants used an elevated temperature 64% of the time, causing 6.3 million metric tons (MMt) of CO2eq which is 0.1% of total annual emissions and 0.3% of commercial and residential sector emissions. Roughly 69% of the sample believed that elevated temperatures improve handwashing efficacy. Updating these beliefs could prevent 1 MMt of CO2eq annually, exceeding the total emissions from many industrial sources in the U.S. including the Lead and Zinc industries. In addition to causing skin irritation, the recommendation to use an elevated temperature during handwashing contributes to another major threat to public health-climate change. Health and consumer protection organizations should consider advocating for the use of a "comfortable" temperature rather than warm or hot water.

Investimento em Projetos com Base no Planejamento Estratégico: Um Estudo de Caso em uma Fábrica de Carrinhos para Supermercado

O presente artigo tem por objetivo apresentar um estudo sobre a importância do planejamento e a busca de informações úteis e precisas na hora de investir em projetos, demonstrando a necessidade de alinhar as decisões aos objetivos estratégicos da empresa. Inicialmente, através de uma revisão da literatura acerca do tema abordado, foram apresentados os principais conceitos e definições sobre os critérios de análise de investimentos considerados mais relevantes e sobre planejamento estratégico. A partir disso, através da aplicação dos critérios, buscou-se demonstrar a viabilidade de um investimento para a ampliação das atividades na empresa Zincar Indústria e Comercio de Carrinhos para Supermercado Ltda, localizada na região sudoeste do Paraná, visando oferecer subsídios para a tomada de decisões por parte dos gestores, através do alinhamento das decisões com a estratégia corporativa da empresa.DOI:10.5585/gep.v3i3.113

Application of granulated lead–zinc slag in concrete as an opportunity to save natural resources

The last decades marked a period of growth and prosperity in construction industry which involves the use of natural resources. This growth is jeopardized by the lack of natural resources that are available. On the other hand there has been rapid increase in the industrial waste production. Most of the waste do not find any effective use and cause a waste disposal crisis, thereby contributing to health and environmental problems. Recycling of industrial waste as aggregate is thus a logical option to manage this problem. The paper reports on some experimental results obtained from the production of concretes containing granulated slag of lead and zinc industry as sand replacement mixed in different proportions. Granulated slag is substituted for raw sand, partly or totally. Ratios of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% by weight of sand are used.The effects of granulated lead–zinc slag (GLZS) as sand replacement material on the compressive strength and gamma radiation attenuation properties of concrete are investigated and analyzed. Then, these properties are compared with those of ordinary concrete. The results showed that replacement material have some effects on the compressive strength and gamma radiation properties of the concrete.The experimental results indicate that, the concrete mixed with GLZS as a sand replacement have better strength. Concerning the absorption properties for gamma radiation the data show that the addition of GLZS resulted in an increase of the attenuation of gamma radiation. Consequently, these concretes could be used for construction of shields protecting personnel who work in laboratories where radiation is used. Additionally, the thickness of the concrete with GLZS was calculated and compared with ordinary concrete.

Study on Application Potential of Waste Cake from Secondary Zinc Industry

Zinc extraction process generates hazardous waste cake during the recovery of electrolytic grade zinc and copper. The characteristics of the waste with reference to basic properties viz. ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity and EP toxicity are important parameters that define the magnitude of hazard of a waste. The waste under study falls under Schedule-I of Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2003. The Toxicity Characteristics Leachate Procedure (TCLP) test was carried out for extraction of waste cake leachate and subsequently toxic heavy metals present in the waste were estimated. The physic-chemical parameters along with particle size analysis, differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis were carried out which provide information on the major constituents present in the hazardous zinc waste cake before and after stabilisation/stabilisation of the waste. The approach would be helpful in safe disposal and exploring application potential of zinc waste through adoption of suitable binder mechanism.

A Material Flow‐based Approach to Enhance Resource Efficiency in Production and Recycling Networks

SummaryResource and energy efficiency are key strategies for production and recycling networks. They can contribute to more sustainable industrial production and can help cope with challenges such as competition, rising resource and energy prices, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and scarce and expensive landfill space. In pursuit of these objectives, further enhancements of single processes are often technologically sophisticated and expensive due to past achievements that have brought the processes closer to technical optima. Nevertheless, the potential for network‐wide advancements may exist. Methods are required to identify and assess the potential for promising resource and energy efficiency measures from technical, economic, and ecological perspectives. This article presents an approach for a material flow‐based techno‐economic as well as ecological analysis and assessment of resource efficiency measures in production and recycling networks. Based on thermodynamic process models of different production and recycling processes, a material and energy flow model of interlinked production and recycling processes on the level of chemical compounds is developed. The model can be used to improve network‐wide resource efficiency by analyzing and assessing measures in scenario and sensitivity analyses. A necessary condition for overcoming technical and economic barriers for implementing such measures can be fulfilled by identifying strategies that appear technologically feasible and economically and ecologically favorable. An exemplary application to a production and recycling network of the German steel and zinc industry is presented. From a methodological point of view, the approach shows one way of introducing thermodynamics and further technological aspects into industrial planning and assessment.

DISTRIBUTION OF Cd, Pb, Zn, Mo, AND S IN JUVENILE AND MATURE BRASSICA NAPUS L. VAR. NAPUS

The study was conducted at three locations in the Savinjska region of Slovenia, where soil is contaminated with heavy metals due to the zinc industry (Cinkarna Celje). In Ponikva the soil to a depth of 30 cm contains 0.8 mg kg−1 Cd, 32.2 mg kg−1 Pb, and 86 mg Zn kg−1, in Medlog 1.4 mg kg−1 Cd, 37.4 mg kg−1 Pb, and 115 mg kg−1 Zn and in Škofja vas 10.9 mg kg−1 Cd, 239.7 mg kg−1 Pb, and 1356 mg kg−1 Zn. The pH at the selected sites was between 7.3 and 7.6. In the beginning of September 2006 two hybrids of Brassica napus L. var. napus, PR45 D01 and PR46 W31 suitable for production of biodiesel obtained from Pioneer Seeds Holding GmbH, were sown. After 96 days juvenile and after 277 days mature plants were collected. Parts of plants (root, shoot and seed) were separated and Cd, Pb, Zn, Mo, and S determined by ultra–trace ICP–MS. We compared the uptake of Cd, Pb, Zn, Mo and S in different parts of juvenile and mature plants of the two different hybrids, TF (translocation factor), BAF (bioaccumulation factor), and PP (phytoextraction potential) were calculated. The mature hybrid PR46 W31 had higher shoot/root ratio and higher PP for metals (Cd, Pb, and Zn) and lower PP for the micronutrient (Mo) and macronutrient (S) on the polluted site. The study demonstrated the potential use of oilseed rape on multiply polluted soils for production of 1st and 2nd generation biofuels. The potential restoration of degraded land could also disburden the use of agricultural land.

Analyzing energy and resource efficiency measures in the steel and zinc industry combining flowsheet simulation with a linear material and energy flow model

The German metal industry is confronted with an enforcing international competition, rising prices of energy and commodities, the increasing relevance of sustainable economy, political demands and incentives such as emission trading. To meet these challenges it is essential for companies to further improve resource and energy efficiency and to reduce CO 2 emissions. Usually, efforts concerning these objectives focus on new or improved single processes. In contrast, the presented approach extends the considerations to the inter-company perspective and considers multiple processes from ferrous and non-ferrous metals industry which are linked by material flows. Our considerations focus on residue flows in the iron and steel as well as the zinc industry. Steel production in integrated steelworks or electric steel plants involves the formation of large amounts of by-products, e.g. dusts, sludges or slags. These contain valuable substances such as iron or zinc and can be further processed by internal re-feeding or external recycling, e.g. by specialized companies, particularly Waelz kiln plants or the DK process. The latter produce zinc concentrates for the zinc industry. Changes in the modes of operation of one or more process can therefore affect the connected processes. We investigate strategies to further reduce landfilling and to efficiently allocate by-products to internal and external recycling options within the scope of the sketched network. We develop flowsheet models for representative processes within the regarded industries in Germany. With an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), an integrated steelworks, two recycling companies, and a hydrometallurgical zinc plant the major processes of the German iron, steel and zinc industries are considered. We derive linear input-output functions for each of the processes by means of multiple linear regression analysis which we apply on results of systematically varied flowsheet simulation runs. These functions are used in a system of linear equations, forming a material and energy flow model of the regarded network. The model is applied to identify and assess strategies and measures to enhance resource and energy efficiency and to reduce climate relevant CO 2 emissions by scenario and sensitivity analyses. Thus, technical and economical barriers of inter-company measures can be overcome by identifying strategies which are technologically feasible and favorable with regard to the named objectives.

Effects of waste recovery on carbon footprint: a case study of the Gulf of Bothnia steel and zinc industries

This article analyses the impact of waste recovery on climate change mitigation on a regional scale. We focus on the EU End of Waste (EoW) policy, which aims at reducing negative impacts on the environment through the minimization of generated waste. At the same time, the EU climate objectives set challenging goals for the industry to lower greenhouse gas emissions. We argue that the goals of these two policies are conflicting: under certain circumstances, the EoW will lead into increased greenhouse gas emissions because of a number of negative feedback effects that function on multiple spatial and temporal scales. To assess the effects of waste recovery on greenhouse gas emissions, we carry out a consequential life-cycle inventory on a proposed industrial ecosystem around the Gulf of Bothnia between Finland and Sweden. The system recovers currently unutilized steelmaking dust and slag from four steel mills in Finland and Sweden and converts them into iron and zinc raw materials in a novel rotary hearth furnace. The recovered iron is led back into the blast furnace of one of the steel mills and zinc is treated in an existing zinc plant. In the European scale, the model system is significant in size, serving thus as a model for integrated EoW and carbon footprint assessments in other similar cases within the EU. The analysis reveals the relative greenhouse gas emissions from raw material extraction and production, heat and power generation, transport and the production process itself, in comparison to the present system with limited material recovery. To test the model viability, we conduct a sensitivity analysis with respect to increasing energy and production capacity. Our analysis shows that from the point of view of a single operator, material recovery may bring noteworthy reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. If the scale of the assessment is expanded beyond the confines of a single plant, however, we find limited potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through further recovery of steelmaking residues. In conclusion, we provide policy recommendations with which the EoW paradigm can provide better support for climate change mitigation on a regional scale.