Assessing the environmental impact of electric arc furnace slags: comprehensive characterization and leaching analysis

All over the world, a large amount of electric arc furnace (EAF) slag is produced in the iron and steel industries every year, and the correct management of these by-products is the main problem of these industries. Therefore, the complete characterization of these slags is effective in choosing the correct method for their management. This study focused on the characteristics of EAF steel slag in terms of physicochemical, structural, morphological, surface, and slag leaching behavior. Accurate determination of the metal content of these slags showed various base and precious metals including Fe, Al, Li, Mn, Si, Ba, Ti, V, and Zn. The slag consisted of different crystalline phases, which mostly contained iron, calcium, and silica oxides. Also, the slag structure was made up of various functional groups. The acid neutralization capacity (ANC) test on the slag sample showed that a high amount of acid is needed to reduce the pH of the EAF slag. The leaching behavior of metals through the TCLP, SPLP, and WET methods also showed that the slag is not considered hazardous waste, and the values obtained are within the EPA standard range. Overall, the findings provide a comprehensive understanding of EAF slag properties and offer valuable guidance for the safe management and potential reuse in industrial and environmental applications of this by-product.