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Reduction of Metal Emissions by Cleaner Mineral Processing Technology

  • Chapter
Heavy Metals

Part of the book series: Environmental Science ((ENVSCIENCE))

Abstract

A review is given of the technology applied in four mineral processing industries aimed at reducing metal emissions to the environment. The processes selected are zinc and aluminum refining, phosphoric acid manufacturing and titanium dioxide production. Following a brief description of the state of the art, recent achievements and current R&D efforts towards cleaner production are summarized for each process. The four processes are subsequently compared to identify fundamental differences and similarities. It is concluded that a number of generic technological problems can be discerned in mineral processing. In spite of the entirely different nature of the processes and products described, general guidelines can be derived for reduction of metal emissions and improvement of the recovery of valuable ore components. Notwithstanding the poor environmental performance of the classical thermal and pyrometallurgical processes, pyrometallurgy holds some promises for waste and emission prevention in the future mineral processing industries.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Delft University of Technology, Delft University Clean Technology Institute, Rotterdamseweg 145, 2628 AL, Delft, the Netherlands

    M. P. C. Weijnen, J. N. Schinkel & F. Elgersma

  2. Akzo Chemicals, Research Centre Hengelo, P.O.Box 25, 7550 GC, Hengelo, the Netherlands

    F. Elgersma

Authors
  1. M. P. C. Weijnen
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  2. J. N. Schinkel
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  3. F. Elgersma
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Arbeitsbereich Umweltschutztechnik, Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, Eißendorfer Straße 40, D-21071, Hamburg, Germany

    Ulrich Förstner

  2. GKSS Research Center, Max Planck Straße, D-21502, Geesthacht, Germany

    Wim Salomons

  3. Faculty of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, 126 21 Prague 6-Suchdol, Czech Republic

    Pavel Mader

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Weijnen, M.P.C., Schinkel, J.N., Elgersma, F. (1995). Reduction of Metal Emissions by Cleaner Mineral Processing Technology. In: Förstner, U., Salomons, W., Mader, P. (eds) Heavy Metals. Environmental Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79316-5_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79316-5_13

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-79318-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-79316-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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