In this study, a research was conducted to recover metallic zinc and pig iron and to improve the purity and the recovery rate through a reduction process for zinc and iron in the byproducts that are generated after steelmaking dust treatment. As the result of the calcination, it was confirmed that Cl (6.06%) and K (3.37%) decreased to Cl (2.75%) and K (0.22%), respectively. For the zinc powder that was recovered with reaction temperature of 1100°C, reaction time of 4 hours, and argon gas of 1L/min as the optimal conditions. The measurement for the purity of zinc was 99.8% and the recovery rate was 92.14%. The melt reduction for recovering pig iron from the residue was reacted under reaction temperature of 1600°C, flux composition (CaO:SiO2) of 1:1, and reducing agent infusion ratio (residue: C) of 14:1, and the pig iron was measured to have a purity of 87.7% and a recovery rate of 91.81%.

Results of research on the hazard posed by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contained in the dusts emitted from motor vehicle braking systems have been presented. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a group of chemical compounds that pose a serious danger to the human health, chiefly because of their carcinogenic properties. Investigations into the issue of environmental pollution with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated by motor vehicle traffic were carried out in connection with the work being done at PIMOT on systems to reduce dust emission from motor vehicle braking systems. The investigations included determination of PAH contents of the dust emitted from vehicle braking systems as well as the PAH concentrations in the indoor air in a room with the stand for testing dust emissions from braking systems and in the duct to carry away gases from that room. Moreover, the PAH contents of soil were measured in the context of location of the soil sampling points in relation to traffic routes. The PAH contents were measured in Warsaw and in Zabrze. The investigation results confirmed that PAHs considered as being most harmful to the human health due to their carcinogenic properties were actually present in the dusts emitted from braking systems. The PAH contents of soil were found to be very sensitive to the location of the soil sampling points in relation to traffic routes and this is a confirmation of the thesis that motor traffic is an important source of environmental pollution with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Mechanical reclamation process of spent moulding sands generate large amounts dusts containing mainly rubbed spent binding agents and quartz dust. The amounts of post-reclamation dusts, depending of the reclamation system efficiency and reclaim dedusting system, can reach 5 -10% in relation to the total reclaimed moulding sand. This dust due to the high content of the organic substances is a threat to the environment and therefore requires the storage on landfills specially adapted for this type of waste. On the other hand, the presence of organic substances causes that these dusts have relatively high energy values that could be used. However, at present there is no coherent, environmentally friendly concept for the management of this type of dust. The paper presents the results of tests of thermal utilization the dusts (as a source of energy) were carried out at AGH University of Science and Technology. Thermal utilization of dusts was carried out in the co-burning with carbon carriers process or in individual burning (Patent PL 227878 B1 and patent application PL - 411 902).

Waterproof lime dust used in coal mines is an important element in the system of protection against explosions. This is one of the oldest methods used to prevent coal dust explosions and, according to an expert’s opinion, it will remain so for a long time. T he work is a summary of research on the development of a new method of producing waterproof limestone dust to use it as an anti-explosive powder in coal mines. The typical method of hydrophobic dust production (milling limestone with stearic acid) is no longer profitable due to the restructuring of the mining industry. The main research was conducted on raw materials traditionally used during the production of anti-explosion powder, namely limestone meal with a grain size diameter equal to 80 μm (Czatkowice Limestone Quarry) and stearic acid as a modifier. Silicone preparation and bituminous preparation (Bitumenovoranstrich) were used as additional modifiers. The hydrophobization process was conducted with the use of different techniques: from stearic acid ether solution, from stearic acid vapor, from methyl silicone resin or bituminous preparation solutions. A series of research on modified powders to determine hydrophobization and flow properties was conducted. Depending on method of hydrophobization, the test of “floating on water”, the extraction of stearic acid was carried out, water contact angles on compacted material were determined, the thermal decomposition of powder was made. The increase in moisture after wet storage was indicated. The flow properties of powders were measured with the use of the Powder Characteristics Tester. The evaluation of the suitability of each hydrophobization methods in achieving the intended purpose was valued.

Industrial steelmaking (EAF) flue dust was characterized in terms of chemical and phase compositions, leaching behaviour in 20% sulphuric acid solution as well as leaching thermal effect. Waste product contained about 43% Zn, 27% Fe, 19% O, about 3% Pb and Mn and lesser amounts of other elements (Ca, Si, Mo, etc.). It consisted mainly of oxide-type compounds of iron and zinc. Dissolution of metals (Zn, Fe, Mn) from the dust was determined in a dependence of solid to liquid ratio (50-200 g/L), temperature (20-80oC) and leaching time (up to 120 min). The best result of 60% zinc recovery was obtained for 50 g dust/L and a temperature of 80oC. Leaching of the material was an exothermic process with a reaction heat of about –318 kJ/kg. Precipitation purification of the solution was realized using various ratios of H2O2 to NH3aq. A product of this stage was hydrated iron(III) oxide. Final solution was used for zinc electrowinning. Despite that pure zinc was obtained the highest cathodic current efficiency was only 40%.

The: PM2.5/PM10 ratio expresses the anthropogenic share in atmospheric dusl. Very high values or this ratio, i.e. high contribution or PM2.5 to PM10. have occurred recently in atmospheric air within European indusuializcd areas. The paper compiles results of three year pair wise measuring ofconcentrations or PM2.5 and PM2.5-PM10 and compares shares or PMM2.5 in PM10 al three urban background sites in Upper Silesia Poland I towns or Zabrze. Katowice and Częstochowa). At all the three local ions, the PM2.5/PM10 ratio nr daily conccntrations nr dust only occasionally differed considerably from the PM2.5/PM10 ratios for the seasonal and yearly concentrations that, in turn. did not differ from the PM2.5/PM10 ratios al urban sites in Europe.

Polychlorinatcd dibenzodioxins and dibcnzofurans (PCDD/Fs) arc present in the air either adsorbed on particulate matter or as vapor (minor part). They arc known to be effective carcinogenic and mutagenie agents. In this study dust samples from Lublin were collected for twelve months and analyzed for PCDD/Fs content. For the analysis of these samples classical extraction with a Soxhlet apparatus, double step clean-up based on SEC and charge-transfer interactions chromatography, and final analysis with GC-MS were applied.

Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans are present in the air either adsorbed on particulate matter or as vapor (minor part). They are most known carcinogens and mutagens. In this study dust samples from Lublin were being collected for 12 months and analyzed for the PCDD/Fs content. For the analysis of these samples classical extraction with Soxhlet apparatus, double step clean-up based on SEC and charge-transfer interactions chromatography, and finally analysis with GC-MS were applied. Results of the determinations were compared with results obtained by other authors.

In this study, laboratory-scale experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of microwave-assisted alkaline leaching on the treatment of electric arc furnace dusts to recover zinc and lead. Microwave treatment is a new innovative technology in waste treatment and now is an attractive advanced inter-disciplinary field and also environmental friendly. The highest zinc extraction, 50.3% in 60 minutes using 5 M NaOH at 750 W and L:S ratio 20, and lead extraction up to 92.84% was achieved in these same conditions but in 30 minutes. Compared with conventional leaching, the top extraction rate using MW-assisted leaching was higher by 16% (Zn) and 26% (Pb). Zinc presents in the flue dust in the form of franklinite (ZnFe2O4), its leaching in sodium hydroxide does not occur under the examined conditions, because it is enclosed in a matrix of iron.

The heavy metal content is one of the criteria for foundry dust commercial use. To assess the possibility of foundry dust use, it is necessary to analyze its composition, including the content of basic heavy metals, and its mechanical properties. The paper presents the results of research on foundry dust from one of the Polish foundries. The aim of the study was to assess the waste management based on its composition and content of heavy metals. Dust samples were taken from one of the Polish foundries, producing iron and steel castings. Samples were taken from several places in the foundry, i.e. from electric furnace dust collectors, shock grating unit, transport of moulding sands unit, pneumatic blast cabinet units and the regeneration of spent foundry sand units. Samples were taken twice from each place at the turn of 2017–2018. The total content of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Fe for recovery and additionally Hg as environmental pollution was analyzed. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the dust from foundry furnaces and pneumatic cleaners can be used in metallurgy due to a high percentage of iron. It was found that the dust from casting cleaning, transport and regeneration department can be used in the cement or construction industry. In addition, an assessment of the mercury content showed that the re-use of this dust would not cause an environmental hazard. It was found that the profitability of foundry dust use depends on the stability of its composition and requires testing for each batch of dusts.

Froin January 2006 on, a continuous experiment consisting in determinations of granulometrie composition of the airborne dust has been performed in the Institute of Environmental Engineering of PAS, Zabrze. The investigations include measurements of concentrations of PM1 - the suspended in ambient air particles of the aerodynamic diameter not grater than I μm - by using the PM10 Dekali impactor. The results of twelve month measurements (January - December 2006) arc presented in the paper: the granulometrie composition of total suspended dust (PM10, PM2.5, PM1) in winter and summer at an urban background site in the Silcsian Agglomeration. Monthly and seasonal average concentrations of PM I O, PM2.5 and PM1 were computed.

The article presents the directions of foundry waste management, mainly used for spent foundry sands (SFS) and dust after the reclamation of this waste. An important aspect of environmental protection in foundry production is the reduction of the amount of generated waste as a result of SFS regeneration. The advantage is the reuse of waste, which reduces the costs of raw materials purchase and environmental fees for landfilling. Non -recycled spent foundry sands can be used in other industries. SFS is most often used in road and construction industries as well as inert material in closed mines (Smoluchowska and Zgut 2005; Bany-Kowalska 2006). An interesting direction of using SFS is its application in gardening and agriculture. The article presents the advantages and disadvantages of such use. It was found that spent foundry sands can be useful for the production of soil mixtures for many agricultural and horticultural applications. Due to the possibility of environmental pollution with heavy metals and organic compounds, such an application is recommended for the so-called green sands, i.e. SFS with mineral binders. In addition, an innovative solution for the energy use of dusts after spent foundry sands reclamation with organic binders has been discussed and proposed by some researchers. It was shown that dust from reclaimed SFS with organic binders can be used as an alternative fuel and raw material in cement kilns, due to the high percentage of organic substances which determine their calorific value and silica.

Solar photovoltaic power is widely utilized in the energy industry. The performance of solar panels is influenced by different variables, including solar radiation, temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and the presence of haze or dirt. Outdoor solar panels are particularly susceptible to a decrease in energy efficiency due to the accumulation of dust particles in the air, which occurs as a result of natural weather conditions. The extent of dust deposition is primarily determined by factors such as the tilt angle of the panel, wind direction, cleaning frequency as well as local meteorological and geographical conditions. The dust on the solar cell glazing reduces the optical transmittance of the light beam, causing shadowing and diminishing the energy conversion productivity of the panels. Sand storms, pollution levels and snow accumulations all significantly impact the photovoltaic panel performance. These circumstances reduce the efficiency of solar panels. The experiment was carried out on two identical dust-accumulated and dust-free panels. The evaluation was carried out in two different situations on the offgrid stand-alone system: in a simulated atmosphere and in an open space during the day. The current-voltage curves have been developed for both panels at various tilt degrees. The features provide sufficient information to analyse the performance of the panels under consideration. The measurements demonstrate that as dust collects on the panel’s surface, the average output power and short circuit current decrease dramatically. The installation tilt angle affected the ratio of efficiency and average power outputs of dusty and clean panels.

The paper presents investigations of dust fractional composition concerning combustion of hard coal in circulating fluidized bed boilers (CFBs). Experimentally determined emission factors for such boilers, and also typical pulverized-fuel furnaces, furnaces with mechanical stoker and domestic furnaces arc presented. They all have been obtained for Upper Silcsian type of coal. Total dust and characteristic fractions: PM2.5 and PM 10 are covered.

The paper presents research upon the gas distribution in a physical model and the computer simulation of dust separation in a horizontal electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with a flat inlet diffuser. The research of a gas flow was carried out using the visualization method and the velocity measurement in cross sections of a model chamber. By selecting suitable choking diffusion screens and deflecting vanes in a diffuser the oblique profiles of a gas velocity were obtained for different obliqueness degree. It was assumed that the velocity profiles obtained should guarantee higher performance of an ESP than those uniform profiles as used so far. Those assumptions were proved by the results of computer simulation obtained using a program SYMULA-X. The results of experiments and computer simulation arc presented in a graphical form.

Road dust should be considered as a secondary source of contamination in the environment, especially when re-suspended. In our study road dust samples were collected from 8 high-capacity urban roads in two districts of Kraków (Krowodrza and Nowa Huta). Total concentration of toxic elements, such as Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Co, Pb, Ni, Ba and Se were determined using ICP –MS ELAN 6100 Perkin Elmer. A fractionation study were performed using VI step sequential extraction, according to the modified method provided by Salomons and Fӧrstner. Appropriate quality control was ensured by using reagent blanks and analysing certified reference material BCR 723 and SRM 1848a. Concentration of metals in the road dust varied as follows [mg/kg]: Cd 1.02-1.78, Cr 34.4-90.3, Cu 65-224, Mn 232-760, Zn 261-365, Co 4.32-6.46, Pb 85.6-132, Ni 32.2-43.9, Ba 98.9-104 and Se 78.3-132. Degree of contamination of road dust from Nowa Huta was very high (Cdeg 54) and considerable for road dust from Krowodrza (Cdeg 25). Results revealed that road dust samples were heavily contaminated with Cd, Cu, Zn, Mn, Co, Pb, Ni, Ba and Se, in amounts exceeding multiple times geochemical background values. The chemical speciation study using VI step sequential extraction, followed by assessing risk assessment code (RAC) revealed that elements in road dust are mostly bound with mobile and easy bioavailable fractions such as carbonates and exchangeable cations, with the exception for Cr and Cu being mostly associated and fixed with residual and organic matter fraction.

Oil-in-water emulsion is thermodynamically unstable system that undergoes destabilization with time. The tripropylene glycol diacrylate (TPGDA) monomer which can potentially to increase the crosslink density of polymer blends is unstable in water due to its low water solubility properties. However, the stability of TPGDA emulsion could be improved by adding an adequate amount of surfactant. This study addresses the effect of different Tween 20 (surfactant) concentration on emulsion stability of TPGDA. Model emulsion ranging between 0.1 wt% to 3 wt% of Tween 20 and a control were prepared using heavy duty homogenizer. The emulsion was characterised by FTIR, microstructure analysis, phase separation observation and creaming index during storage time. Emulsion containing 0.4 wt% Tween 20 showed the longest stability at 24 hours and a creaming index of 0%, which is enough for an ideal emulsion. The FTIR spectra displayed the interaction of TPGDA and Tw-20, proving that the emulsion is fully mixed and stabilized. The results are further supported by optical microscopy, which observed no droplet aggregation and flocculation in the TPGDA emulsion with the presence of 0.4 wt% of Tw-20 surfactant. This information about Tw-20 is beneficial, making it a promising surfactant for enhancing the emulsion stability of the TPGDA emulsion.

In this study, the results of experiment research on building mortars based on dry mixtures with the use of granite dust are given. It also shows the possibilities of their industrial release. In the conditions of energy resources shortage, gradual exhaustion of natural raw materials, aggravation of environmental problems, an important direction in the production of building mixtures is the development of mixes with waste materials from various industries. In particular, granite dust, which simultaneously allows to rationally use natural mineral material and solve environmental problems. Based on the obtained data, experimental and statistical models of physical and mechanical properties of fresh and hardened mortar are constructed and ways of optimizing their compositions and improving the properties of mortars are analyzed. It is established that the use of granite dust and some additives provides high standardized parameters for mortar mixture and bricklaying process, including plasticity, compressive strength and others at the low level of cement consumption. Fresh mortar mixtures have a prolonged slump retention.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAI-ls) are persistent organic pollutants, ubiquitous in the whole environment. They are relatively well known and are still of interest due to their well documented carcinogenic and mutagenie properties. In ambient air of urban regions they mostly occur as adsorbed to particles of suspended dust. The richest in these compounds and therefore most hazardous to humans, fraction of dust is the fraction of the finest particles. The paper presents results of investigations of dust sampled with use of an impactor Dekati PM10 in Zabrze, a site typical of Upper Silesian conditions. While sampling, the impactor segregates sampled particles into four fractions by their aerodynamic diameters. Sixteen PAHs were determined in each fraction chromatographically. PAH content in the fraction of the finest particles, i.e. in PM1, was of particular interest.

The emission of dust from coal fired furnaces introduces a lot of contamination into the environment, including dangerous metal compounds, which occur as trace elements in hard and brown coal. After the coal is burnt, they are contained in the grains of respirable dust, which creates health hazard. The results of investigations into the distribution of several trace elements in granular composition of ash emitted from CFB boilers used in coal-fired heat and power station are presented. The research material was taken by means of a cascade impactor, enabling a different granulometrie fraction to be separated from a stream of dust that penetrated the electrofilter. The CP-AES method (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy) was used to determine trace elements after prior mineralization of samples by microwave method. The Authors presented the results of measurements and analyses, determining the ranges of trace elements' occurrence in dust, characterizing the distribution in PM,, PM25 and PM10 granulometrie fractions and determining the emission factors.

Volatility is one of the most characteristic features in the all market types. In the raw material market, including the bituminous coal market, volatility is visible in the supply and demand variations, in consequence in the prices fluctuations. Market actors usually having opposite interests, for example buy low, sell high, are vitally interested in identifying the causes of these fluctuations.

Some of the factors causing the market fluctuations are quite common, others are more complicated because of circumstances complexity. This article attempts to examine the relationships between bituminous coal fines prices and the economic situation. Given the complexity of the issue, the research area has been narrowed down – territorially to Poland and temporarily – to the present decade.

The average prices of coal fines in Poland are presented by the Industrial Development Agency (Agencję Rozwoju Przemysłu SA) in the form of two indices: PSCMI 1 and PSCMI 2. Both indices are calculated based on the prices of pattern bituminous coal, produced by domestic manufacturers and sold on domestic markets, the energy and heat market respectively.

Statistical methods, because of their quantitative nature, are important in identifying the correlations between the coal fines prices and economic conditions. Therefore, the article presents examples of relatively strong linear correlations between the PSCMI 1 and/or PSCMI 2 and some indicators of the economic situation.

Significant quantities of coal sludge are created during the coal enrichment processes in the mechanical processing plants of hard coal mines (waste group 01). These are the smallest grain classes with a grain size below 1 mm, in which the classes below 0.035 mm constitute up to 60% of their composition and the heat of combustion is at the level of 10 MJ/kg. The high moisture of coal sludge is characteristic, which after dewatering on filter presses reaches the value of 16–28% (Wtot r) (archival paper PG SILESIA). The fine-grained nature and high moisture of the material cause great difficulties at the stage of transport, loading and unloading of the material. The paper presents the results of pelletizing (granulating) grinding of coal sludge by itself and the piling of coal sludge with additional material, which is to improve the sludge energy properties. The piling process itself is primarily intended to improve transport possibilities. Initial tests have been undertaken to show changes in parameters by preparing coal sludge mixtures (PG SILESIA) with lignite coal dusts (LEAG). The process of piling sludge and their mixtures on an AGH laboratory vibratory grinder construction was carried out. As a result of the tests, it can be concluded that all mixtures are susceptible to granulation. This process undoubtedly broadens the transport possibilities of the material. The grain composition of the obtained material after granulation is satisfactory. Up to 2 to 20 mm granules make up 90–95% of the product weight. The strength of the fresh pellets is satisfactory and comparable for all mixtures. Fresh lumps subjected to a test for discharges from a height of 700 mm can withstand from 7 to 14 discharges. The strength of the pellets after longer seasoning, from the height of 500 mm, shows different values for the analyzed samples. The values obtained for hard coal sludge and their blends with brown coal dust are at the level from 4 to 5 discharges. The strength obtained is sufficient to determine the possibility of their transport. At this stage of the work it can be stated that the addition of coal dust from lignite does not cause the deterioration of the material’s strength with respect to clean coal sludge. Therefore, there is no negative impact on the transportability of the granulated material. As a result of mixing with coal dusts, it is possible to increase their energy value (Klojzy-Karczmarczyk at al. 2018). The cost analysis of the analyzed project was not carried out.

Hard coal sludge is classified as group 01 waste or it is a by-product in the production of a hard coal with variable energy importance. Pulverized lignite is not waste but a final product of drying and the very fine pulverization of lignite with a high calorific value. The study comprised the basic material before granulation such as coal sludge (PG SILESIA) and pulverized lignite (LEAG) as well as their prepared blends after the granulation on a pipe vibration granulator designed at AGH. The pulverized lignite of the LEAG company shows a low sulfur contents. In the analyzed samples its average content (Stot d) is 0.61%. An average value of this parameter in the analyzed coal sludge samples is 0.55%. The addition of pulverized lignite does not have a significant impact on the total content of sulfur and of analyzed toxic elements (Hg, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, and W) in the samples. The calorific value of coal sludge falls within the range of 11.0−12.4 MJ/kg (on a dry basis). For the coal sludge and pulverized lignite blends the calorific value clearly increases to values of 14.8−17.7 MJ/kg (on dry basis). The calorific value slightly decreases in the

To investigate the effect of different proximate index on minimum ignition temperature(MIT) of coal dust cloud, 30 types of coal specimens with different characteristics were chosen. A two-furnace automatic coal proximate analyzer was employed to determine the indexes for moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, fixed carbon and MIT of different types of coal specimens. As the calculated results showed that these indexes exhibited high correlation, a principal component analysis (PCA) was adopted to extract principal components for multiple factors affecting MIT of coal dust, and then, the effect of the indexes for each type of coal on MIT of coal dust was analyzed. Based on experimental data, support vector machine (SVM) regression model was constructed to predicate the MIT of coal dust, having a predicating error below 10%. This method can be applied in the predication of the MIT for coal dust, which is beneficial to the assessment of the risk induced by coal dust explosion (CDE).