Microwave Vitrification of Model Heavy Metals Carriers From Wastewaters Treatment

The metallurgical industry of ferrous and non-ferrous metals produce huge amount of wastes. In Slovakia, the factory for nickel production was closed in 1993, but around 5.5 kt of wastes remain in a dump. This waste was used as a model sorbent of heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Co) from wastewater treatments. The TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) test of precipitated heavy metals on waste materials has confirmed the necessity of waste stabilization. The microwave vitrification was applied because of a high content of iron in waste. After vitrification, the chemical durability and microhardness by indentation have been tested in the glassy and glassceramics obtained.