An Overview of Useful Methods to Treat, Recover, or Recycle Spent Potlining

Holywell, George; Breault, Raymond

doi:10.1007/s11837-013-0769-y

Cited by 102 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The data suggested there was no increase in leaching efficiency between the two size fractions, which would be advantageous industrially, as coarser grinding of the SPL would require less energy input. The approximate composition of the SPL material, derived from the leaching data can be compared to values quoted by Holywell and Bréault [1] (Table S3), which is often referenced in the literature as being an accurate range [28,38]. The apparent concentrations of Al Fe, Ti and Mg were considerably lower than expected, although it should be noted that our values are based on the total leachable content under the conditions stated and should not be considered total quantification values.…”

Section: Solid-state Characterisationmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…There are two distinct fractions, these being "first-cut", composed mainly of graphitic material from exhausted cathode blocks, and "second-cut", formed mainly of cement and brick. Both cuts are heavily contaminated with fluoride-bearing compounds, with reported fluoride concentrations ≤ 20% [1]. Various other chemical species are also present, including ≤ 1% cyanides [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The estimated global production of aluminium in 2018 was 64.3 MT, meaning ~ 1.61 MT of SPL was also created [6]. Of this, it is estimated that 50-75% of the waste was deposited either in landfill facilities or over-ground buildings [1,7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of a Combined Leaching and Ion-Exchange System for Valorisation of Spent Potlining Waste

Robshaw

Bonser

Coxhill

et al. 2020

Waste Biomass Valor

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This work aims to contribute to addressing the global challenge of recycling and valorising spent potlining; a hazardous solid waste product of the aluminium smelting industry. This has been achieved using a simple two-step chemical leaching treatment of the waste, using dilute lixiviants, namely NaOH, H 2 O 2 and H 2 SO 4 , and at ambient temperature. The potlining and resulting leachate were characterised by spectroscopy and microscopy to determine the success of the treatment, as well as the morphology and mineralogy of the solid waste. This confirmed that the potlining samples were a mixture of contaminated graphite and refractory materials, with high variability of composition. A large quantity of fluoride was solublised by the leaching process, as well as numerous metals, some of them toxic. The acidic and caustic leachates were combined and the aluminium and fluoride components were selectively extracted, using a modified ion-exchange resin, in fixed-bed column experiments. The resin performed above expectations, based on previous studies, which used a simulant feed, extracting fluoride efficiently from leachates of significantly different compositions. Finally, the fluoride and aluminium were coeluted from the column, using NaOH as the eluent, creating an enriched aqueous stream, relatively free from contaminants, from which recovery of synthetic cryolite can be attempted. Overall, the study accomplished several steps in the development of a fully-realised spent potlining treatment system. Graphic Abstract

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Section: Solid-state Characterisationmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of a Combined Leaching and Ion-Exchange System for Valorisation of Spent Potlining Waste

Robshaw

Bonser

Coxhill

et al. 2020

Waste Biomass Valor

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“…10,13 It is also listed as a special waste in Canada. 9 There is a huge variation of SPL compositions reported in the literature. 7,[9][10][11][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] The major factors attributing to this variation are (a) the initial cell lining components; (b) the dismantling procedures; (c) the type of bricks used and (d) how long the pot is operated.…”

Section: Spent Potliningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…10 Previous researchers estimated that more than half of the total amount of SPL produced is stored in lined/unlined sites/buildings, waiting for further treatment. 9 This not only represents a significant environmental hazard, but also opens up more opportunities for efficient waste management and recycling of SPL. 28 In the current investigation, thermodynamic simulations combined with viscosity correlations were employed to predict copper recoveries and the behaviour of hazardous species when SPL additions are made to converter slag in the electric slag-cleaning furnace.…”

Section: Spent Potliningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical simulation of copper recovery from converter slags by the utilisation of spent potlining (SPL) from aluminium electrolytic cells

Chattopadhyay

2016

Canadian Metallurgical Quarterly

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An innovative method was devised to improve copper recovery and operational efficiency of the Cu converter slag-cleaning furnace, by utilising both carbon and fluoride values of an otherwise environmental hazardous material (i.e. spent potlining (SPL)) produced from the aluminium industry. Results based on numerical modelling show that 90% Cu recovery could be achieved by adding as little as 3-4 wt-% of SPL to the molten converter slag. The fluorides and sodiumcontaining compounds in the SPL reduced the slag viscosity, resulting in a much faster settling rate of matte droplets. In this process, the SPL could be detoxified by destroying the cyanides to form harmless N 2 gas, and inertising the fluorides in a much diluted form in the ferro-silicate slag, ensuring a safe disposal to the environment.On a conçu une méthode innovatrice pour améliorer la récupération du cuivre et le rendement opérationnel du four de nettoyage de la scorie du convertisseur de Cu, en utilisant tant la teneur en carbone que la teneur en fluorure d'un matériau autrement dangereux sur le plan environnemental (c'est-à-dire le SPL) produit par l'industrie de l'aluminium. Les résultats basés sur la modélisation numérique montrent qu'on pourrait obtenir une récupération de 90% du Cu en ajoutant aussi peu que 3 à 4% en poids de SPL à la scorie fondue du convertisseur. Les fluorures et les composés contenant du sodium dans le SPL réduisent la viscosité de la scorie, ayant pour résultat une vitesse de déposition plus rapide des gouttelettes de matte. Avec ce procédé, on peut désintoxiquer le SPL en détruisant les cyanures pour former du gaz inoffensif de N 2 et en rendant les fluorures inertes dans une forme bien diluée dans la scorie de ferrosilicate, assurant ainsi une élimination sécuritaire pour l'environnement.

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Sustainable Practices in Spent Potliner ‐ An Industrial Ecology Approach

Black

Cooper

2016

Light Metals 2016

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An Overview of Useful Methods to Treat, Recover, or Recycle Spent Potlining

Cited by 102 publications

References 8 publications

Development of a Combined Leaching and Ion-Exchange System for Valorisation of Spent Potlining Waste

Development of a Combined Leaching and Ion-Exchange System for Valorisation of Spent Potlining Waste

Numerical simulation of copper recovery from converter slags by the utilisation of spent potlining (SPL) from aluminium electrolytic cells

Sustainable Practices in Spent Potliner ‐ An Industrial Ecology Approach

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