Thermal treatments of industrial wastes in controlled atmospheres for the elimination of As, Hg, Cd, Se and the concentration of Pb, Cu and Zn

Thermal treatments of five different types of non-ferrous metallurgical wastes, under a controlled atmosphere, were carried out at temperatures lower than 800°C for the separation of their toxic compounds and the concentration of valuable metals in the treatments residues. The best results were obtained by the treatments in air or hydrogen, or both successively. Simple treatments, using air or hydrogen, of three samples allowed the elimination of more than 95% of their toxic elements and almost doubled their valuable metals concentration. For the rest of the samples, a combined treatment was necessary for their efficient decontamination. In this case, the valuable metals content in the treatment's residue was increased to a reasonable value. Most of the solids issuing from these treatments can be recycled in current non-ferrous metallurgical processes.