The influencing factors to remove phosphate were evaluated by converter slag (CS). Experiments were performed by batch tests using different CS sizes and column test. Solutions were prepared at the different pH and concentrations. The maximum removal efficiency was obtained over 98% with the finest particle size, CSa within 2 hours in batch tests. The removal efficiency was increased in the order of decreasing size with same amount of CS for any pH of solutions. The adsorption data were well fitted to Freundlich isotherm. From the column experiment, the specific factors were revealed that the breakthrough removal capacity (BRC) xb/mcs, was decreased by increasing the influent concentration. The breakthrough time, tb was lasted shorter as increasing the influent concentration. The pH drop simultaneously led to lower BRC drop during the experimental hours. The relation between the breakthrough time and the BRC to influent concentration was shown in the logarithmic decrease. Results suggested that the large surface area of CS possessed a great potential for adsorptive phosphate removal. Consequently particle size and initial concentration played the major influencing factors in phosphate removal by converter slag.
The excessive concentration of phosphorus in the river and reservoir is a deteriorating factor for the eutrophication. The converter slag was used to remove the phosphate from the synthetic wastewater. Influencing factors were studied to remove soluble orthophosphate with the different particle sizes through the batch and the column experiments by continuous flow. Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm constants were obtained from batch experiments with PSA and PSB. Freundlich isotherm was fitted better than Langmuir isotherm. Regression coefficient of Freundlich isotherm was 0.95 for PSA and 0.92 for PSB, respectively. The adsorption kinetics from the batch experiment were revealed that bigger size of convert slag, PSA can be applied for the higher than 3.5 mg/L of phosphate concentration. The pilot plant of continuous flow was applied in order to evaluate the pH variation, breakthrough points and breakthrough adsorption capacity of phosphate. The variation of pH was decreased through the experimental hours. The breakthrough time was 1,432 and 312 hours to 10 mg/L and 50 mg/L for the influent concentration, respectively. The breakthrough adsorption capacity was 3.54 g/kg for 10 mg/L, and 1.72 g/kg for 50 mg/L as influent phosphate concentration.
The feasibility study of using converter slag as a solidifying agent of digested sewage sludge cake has been performed. The availability of converter slag as solidifying agent has been investigated by several trial tests. Based on the trial test results, the optimum mixing ratios of sludge cake and solidification additive are estabilished. Finally the solidification characters of sludge cake are elucidated by SEM and EDS. It is ascertained that converter slag with a small amount of quicklime enhences the solidification. From the result of pH test, overall pH of specimens tends to decrease slowly with curing time. After solidifying specimens had been cured for 7 days, these are water-cured for 24 hours. The weight and strength of all the specimens are nearly the same regardless of the mixed ratios of solidifying agent. The result of leaching tests for four heavy metal ions, Cd, $Cr^{6+}$, Pb and Cu show that the leaching strength becomes below the decision criteria of the specific wastes, respectively. The SEM observation of the delicate structure shows that needlelike crystals appear after solidification which are not observed before. From the EDS analysis, it is found that the main ingredients of needlelike crystals are Ca, Si, Al and O.
Converter slag contains free-CaO and free-MgO that has a problem causing a breakdown in the water and reaction. To solve this problem, it was treated the aging process that is inserting a converter slag aggregate in water before placing concrete. As a result, aging process was very effective in the compressive strength of the concrete.
Converter slag is discharged as by-product from steel making process. Its chemical composition is similar to that of blast furnace slag. Therefore its recyclability is high. But actually it was not widely recycled relatively. We studied to prepare insulating brick with it for enhancing the recyclability. We discussed mixing ratio of melting slag and converter slag and also additional amounts of Al-dross and NaOH as affecting factors. According to our results, 0.195 W/mK of thermal conductivity and 3.02 MPa of compressive strength were obtained at the following condition mixing ratio 60 : 40, aluminum dross 1.5wt%, NaOH 5.6wt%. It seemed that the thermal conductivity of prepared brick was decreased with increasing amount of Al-dross and NaOH. It is satisfied with the standard of insulating fire bricks (KS L3301).