Investigation of dielectric heating method of zinc-containing materials for chlorides removal

The technological development of the world community makes it necessary to resolve the issues of the produced industrial residues utilization. Worn-out galvanized metal cars, ceilings and other metal structures require orderly utilization. Utilization of galvanized scrap may be carried out in Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) to obtain intermediate steel and EAF dust. Electric Arc Furnaces dus contains zinc, so it is used as a secondary raw material for the production of metallic zinc. Waelz oxides are formed in Waelz kilns, after the primary processing of EAF dust. Waelz oxide contains halides that must be removed first. Halides may be removed by heating to temperatures of about 1000°C. Dielectric (microwave) heating is a promising and environmentally friendly method for material processing. Microwave heating is carried out without burning natural gas, which leads to decrease of waste gases volume. The work experimentally confirmed the possibility of zinc-containing materials heating at electromagnetic emission exposure. The duration of products heating up to the temperature of 1000°C was 128 - 188 s. The residual content of chloride ions in the calcined products is less than 0.05 wt%.