Economic Assessment of Environmentally Friendly Heavy and Precious Metal Recovery from Electric Arc Furnace Dust

Iran's steel industry annually generates ۲۵۰-۵۰۰ thousand tons of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). This waste poses significant disposal challenges due to its fine particulate nature and heavy metal content, making direct landfill disposal unfeasible. However, bioleaching, an environmentally viable method, offers a promising solution for metal recovery from this solid waste. The economic feasibility of bioleaching, which involves bioleaching and precipitation of recovered metals, was evaluated. Economic analyses were conducted for a ۱۰۰۰-ton annual capacity facility, estimating purchase and installation costs at $۱۷ million. Assuming a ۱۰-year operational lifespan, annual construction expenses total approximately $۱.۷ million, adjusting to $۱.۸ million with the Middle East's coefficient of ۱.۰۷. Coupled with an annual operating cost of $۲.۷ million, the total annual cost for heavy and precious metal recovery from EAFD amounts to $۴.۵ million. The value of heavy and precious metals within ۱۰۰۰ tons of EAFD stands at $۳۰.۸ million, yielding a process profitability of $۲۶.۵ million. Importantly, this method eliminates the $۲ million expense associated with EAFD burial and maintenance in landfills, leading to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency.Keywords: bioleaching, electric arc furnace dust, recovery, heavy metals, precious metals, economic assessment.

Keywords:

bioleaching , electric arc furnace dust , recovery , heavy metals , precious metals , economic assessment