title: Characterization of fugitive material within a primary lead smelter.
abstract: The primary production of Pb via the sinter plant-blast furnace method resulted in a large number of Pb and other phases, reflecting the complex reactions occurring within each of the processes. Optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques have been used to characterize fugitive emissions and dusts generated during sintering, smelting, Cu drossing, refining, and slag fuming at a primary Pb-Zn smelter. The results displayed a complex array of phases, with the mineralogy of the dusts and fume reflecting conditions of the particular metallurgical operation. The principal Pb species followed a transformation from PbS through PbSO4 and PbO to Pb(o) (metal) from raw materials to the refinery. The fugitive emissions generated by the blast furnace were of a finer size with more complex chemistry than fugitive material from other source areas. XRD identified a mixture of PbS, ZnO, and ZnS, associated with one or more of the Cl-bearing phases Pb(OH)Cl, PbCl2, Pb4O3Cl2, Na3Pb2(SO4)3Cl, Pb10(SO4)Cl2O8, Pb4SCl6, and Pb7S2Cl10. The presence of Cl-bearing phases in the fume has possible health implications.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Branch, South Australian Department of Human Services, Adelaide, Australia.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Ohmsen
mesh_terms: D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D017745:Incineration; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D008669:Metallurgy; D010316:Particle Size; D011634:Public Health; D013696:Temperature; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D007854:Lead