Zeolite synthesis using induction furnace slag from Isfahan Mobarakeh Steel Complex

One of the most important industrial wastes is the slag wastes of steel companies, which are the by-product of induction furnaces and contain significant amounts of important oxides such as ???2, ??2?3, ???, ???, and small amounts of ???, ??? and ???2. In this study, the synthesis of zeolite 4A was carried out using acid leaching of slag to eliminate undesirable components, follwed by adding sodium hydroxide and sodium aluminate to crystalize the solid leftover of he acid leaching process. Eventually, sodalite is produced as a byproduct beside zeolite 4A. XRF, XRD, SEM and EDAX tests were performed to characterize the final product. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to analyze the liquid leftover of acid leaching. Material balances showed that the highest conversion of slag to zeolite 4A and sodalite was obtained at crystallization times of 6 and 12 hours, respectively. Finally, the collective yield of 38.7% was achieved for conversion of slag to zeolite 4A and sodalite.