Copper slag is a by-product of copper production from copper ore. During smelting, a molten pool of copper forms at the bottom of the furnace while a layer of impure metal, which is the slag, is drained off from the top. The copper slag is then quenched using industrial or sea water. Sometimes, it is left to cool by the air. For every ton of copper produced about 2.2 ton of slag is generated.
Production of copper slag
Courtesy of A/Prof Wee Tiong Huan, NUS
In Singapore, copper slag is largely used as abrasive for the removal of rust and marine deposits that have accumulated on ships. Spent copper slag originates from raw copper slag that has been spent of its abrasive property after using it to remove rust and marine deposit from ships. If the spent copper slag is properly treated to reduce the contaminant to an acceptable level, it can be further re-used.
The treated spent copper slag can be recycled and put to good use as sand replacement in concrete. For structural usage, the use of copper slag as partial replacement of sand in concrete is allowed for up to 10% by mass. Tests have to be conducted to ensure that chloride and sulphate contents in the slag are within the allowable limits. The technology and process will involve the treatment and re-constitution of the spent copper slag to satisfy all the requirements for its use in making concrete.
Copper slag is a good aggregate indeed! As already mentioned in the article, you have to be careful with contaminants though (varies from mine to mine), but the slag itself is very hard and therefore useful.
If co slag was previously used as an abrasive, it still has sharp edges, as it normally doesn't wear off, but fractures into smaller particles. That's very important when you use it in concrete. The "scales" of copper slag will lay flat and thus can resist a lot of pressure.
If you use it with magnesium phosphate cement, the content of pollutants doesn't even matter anymore, as they get encapsulated. In general, the use of slag is a good example for correct recycling/reusing.
It is a good proposal. Afterall all of us millions of Tons of copper slag to be disposed.
I would like to know the link where I can get more details on costing, strength and stability.
Quoting from [cyber chap]:So .. Seem that already 1000 visitors for this topic, I bring it Up ...
Dear Teo
It is a good proposal. Afterall all of us millions of Tons of copper slag to be disposed.
I would like to know the link where I can get more details on costing, strength and stability.
However, it is indeed a good article to know/read. bravo Francis ...
rgrds,
Moderator of the room
dear teo .
thankyou so much for the info. i am planning to start a copper plant, where i would be manufacturing copper sheets and circles and i think it would be of a greAT benefit apart from processing copper .
regards jubran beigh
Hi everyone,
I am a new memeber and would like to share my knowledge on copper slag and ohter alternative fuels and raw materials for cement industry.
Our company ultising about 1 to 2% of copper slag for raw material in clinker production. It might not be much in percentage but when converted into financial term, our company saved more than just a few dollars. We are helping to reduce the use of non-renewable resource and hences helping our environment to fight climate change and become a more greener operator.
Copper slag is only one alternative raw material that we currently substituting and if anyone would like to know more, please don't hesitate to contact myself for more alternative to clinker and cement manufacturing at *********
Cheers.