Charakterystyka mineralogiczno-chemiczna i teksturalna odpadów poflotacyjnych z przemysłu Zn-Pb pod kątem dalszych rozważań wykorzystania ich jako sorbentów

The aim of this study was a preliminary characterization (mineralogical, chemical, textural) of flotation wastes - which are the by-product of zinc-lead concentrate extraction - from the standpoint of their further prospective (experimental) use as sorbents of acid gases (SO2 and CO2). The landfill sourced for the wastes used in this study was owned by ZGH “Boles³aw” in Bukowno. The research material consisted of a sample of flotation wastes taken from alluvial pond No. 1, lying in the southern part of the Western Pond. Characterization of the material selected for testing included the following: basic mineralogical (XRD, SEM-EDS) and chemical analysis (determination of analytical moisture content, loss on ignition, basic chemical composition, and content of trace elements), as well as the identification of basic textural parameters (BET specific surface area and pore size distribution). Mineralogical studies showed that the waste material consisted mainly of carbonate minerals (primarily calcite, dolomite, ankerite) and minerals present in the residuum after ore flotation (primarily galena and sphalerite). The chemical analysis indicated that in analyzed samples, calcium, magnesium, and iron components are predominant. They are conditioned by carbonate minerals which predominate in the studied waste. The most significant trace elements were arsenic, followed by manganese, and then bar - present only in quantities not exceeding 1%. Textural analysis showed that the test material has a low surface area and large particle size. The research suggests that the analyzed materials have poor adsorption properties, although they could be used in desulfurization as well as the neutralization of carbon dioxide (carbonation). However, it is necessary for this purpose to conduct additional studies of heavy metals’ leaching in an acidic environment, in addition to applying the admixture of other ingredients to the flotation wastes, such as cement or zeolites, to immobilize hazardous waste components.