The microwave processing of electric arc furnace dust

An ideal treatment for electric arc furnace (EAF) dust is to cost-effectively process the dust on site to generate high-value products. Microwave heating has the potential to be the ideal approach. In this study, testing was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of treating EAF dust under microwave radiation to produce iron metal and zinc metal instead of zinc oxides as co-products. Microwave processing time and fixed carbon addition amounts were investigated. Different carbons with high fixed carbon contents were also tested and no significant influence was observed. Products of both metallic zinc-rich particles and metallic iron-rich residuals exhibited high purities, which satisfy recycling feedstock requirements.