Brass products in the coronet excavated from an M2-numbered Sui-Tang-dynasty tomb situated in Kun Lun Company in Xi'an, Shaanxi

Ancient Chinese brass smelting technology has promoted the invention of zinc smelting, thus becoming an important part of the metallurgical history. However, the information concerning its origin and development is still controversial. In that regard, thorough analysis of composition and structure of the early brass is crucial for studying various stages of the ancient brass smelting technology history. This study aimed to investigate brass artifacts from Kunlun M2 tomb in Xi'an, Shaanxi, dating back during Sui to early Tang Dynasty (581–712 AD). The composition and metallographic characterization of the materials was performed using XRF, SEM–EDS and metallographic analysis. According to the results, brass was composed of 83 wt% of copper, 12 wt% of zinc, and 3 wt% of tin. Furthermore, its microstructure consisted of α-isometric single crystals with some slip lines and a few twinned grains. This indicated that brass was obtained by melting an appropriate mixture of zinc ores and copper ores at a temperature above 920 °C. Furthermore, brass support components were installed on the coronet after integral hot forging and partial cold shaping. Besides, the use of brass in the coronet was in conformity with the social hierarchy of that historical period, and also reflected the attention paid to the properties of materials.

The Utilization of Alkali-Activated Lead–Zinc Smelting Slag for Chromite Ore Processing Residue Solidification/Stabilization

Lead–zinc smelting slag (LZSS) is regarded as a hazardous waste containing heavy metals that poses a significant threat to the environment. LZSS is rich in aluminosilicate, which has the potential to prepare alkali-activated materials and solidify hazardous waste, realizing hazardous waste cotreatment. In this study, the experiment included two parts; i.e., the preparation of alkali-activated LZSS (pure smelting slag) and chromite ore processing residue (COPR) solidification/stabilization. Single-factor and orthogonal experiments were carried out that aimed to explore the effects of various parameters (alkali solid content, water glass modulus, liquid–solid ratio, and initial curing temperature) for alkali-activated LZSS. Additionally, compressive strength and leaching toxicity were the indexes used to evaluate the performance of the solidified bodies containing COPR. As a result, the highest compressive strength of alkali-activated LZSS reached 84.49 MPa, and when 40% COPR was added, the strength decreased to 1.42 MPa. However, the leaching concentrations of Zn and Cr from all the solidified bodies were far below the critical limits (US EPA Method 1311 and China GB5085.3-2007). Heavy-metal ions in LZSS and COPR were immobilized successfully by chemical and physical means, which was detected by analyses including environmental scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction.

Discovery of Significant Emission of Halogenated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons From Secondary Zinc Smelting

Chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Cl/Br-PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants, and controlling their adverse effects requires the identification of their sources. However, current knowledge on the formations of Cl/Br-PAHs is far insufficient for source control, much less on their formation mechanisms. In this field study, we firstly discovered secondary zinc smelting as a significant source of Cl/Br-PAHs. The mean concentration of Cl/Br-PAHs emitted in stack gas from secondary zinc smelting was 9,553 ng/m3, exceeding concentrations from other metal smelting sources by one or two orders of magnitude. Cl/Br-PAHs with fewer rings were the dominant congeners in stack gas from secondary zinc smelting and secondary copper smelting. However, emissions from secondary aluminum smelting were dominated by congeners with more rings. The differences in congener profiles were attributable to the catalytic effects of metal compounds during smelting activities. Zinc oxide and copper oxide dominantly catalyzed dehydrogenation reactions, contributing to the formation of intermediate radicals and subsequent dimerization to Cl/Br-PAHs with fewer rings. Aluminum oxide induced alkylation reactions and accelerated ring growth, resulting in the formation of Cl-PAHs with more rings. The newly proposed mechanisms can successfully explain the emission characteristics of Cl/Br-PAHs during smelting activities and the higher concentrations of Cl/Br-PAHs from secondary zinc smelting, which should be useful in targeted source control.