Waste management in steelmaking by EAF route

Abstract

Electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) and electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) are the waste materials from the steel production by EAF route which implies remelting of iron and steel scrap in electric arc furnaces (EAF). In recent years, special attention is paid on the valorisation of EAFS and EAFD since disposing the both may cause negative impacts on the environment. In this paper, the methods that are in use to process EAFS and EAFD have been reviewed, and their advantages and disadvantages are also addressed. Literature data indicates that EAFS can be successfully valorised in civil engineering, wastewaters treatments and as a soil nutrient in agriculture, while the presence of valuable elements in EAFD is motivational factors for the recycling of EAFD. Moreover, valorisation of EAFD through vitrification and stabilization/solidification processes is also widely discussed.