Physical and chemical properties of copper-zinc galvanic sludge in the process of thermal treatment

Abstract

This academic work is focused on the study of physical-chemical patterns of copper-zinc galvanic sludge dissolution prior to and after thermal treatment in model solutions with a given pH. They show that all types of galvanic sludge eluates prior to and after thermal treatment are characterized by rather high concentrations of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions. In acid eluates, the contents of zinc and copper ions are comparable. In extracts of distilled water and buffer solution, Zn2+ concentrations are higher than those of Cu2+. It has been established that the thermal treatment of galvanic sludge does not contribute to the retention of heavy metal ions in the sample. The intensity of dissolution of copper and zinc from galvanic sludge after thermal treatment increases with decreasing pH. It is proved that copper-zinc galvanic sludge presents a potential water-migration hazard.