Lead Smelting
Lead smelting is the process of separating lead from other metals found in blended scrap or used lead acid batteries. At the end of the smelting process, lead has been mined and purified to well-defined levels. Lead has been used for centuries for pipes, plumbing valves and faucets, for storage vessels for drinking water, and for sheet lead around windows to create a barrier from the weather.
Lead smelting involves heating the ore to a very high temperature, then adding limestone and coke to reduce the oxide-forming elements in the rock, resulting in lead bullion. After the lead has melted and been purified, impurities are removed in numerous stages. The lead based metal is then poured into moulds and cooled to form ingots.
Lead smelting is a polluting process. During the melting process, off-gases are released which are full of lead particles and other hazardous materials. These emissions are then sent out of the furnace and released into the environment. Lead smelting operations can have serious impacts on public health and the environment.
To prevent the explosions that occur in furnaces and off-gases release of lead particles, stringent safety and environmental controls need to be in place. Specialized filters, as well as dust and oxidation control systems are used in smelting plants to curb lead emission levels.
The best method for controlling lead emissions is to use selective secondary lead smelting. This process is highly automated and utilizes computers to automatically adjust furnace media for optimum lead separation. This method is cost-effective, efficient and safe.
Lead smelting may also be used for recovery from spent lead acid batteries. The batteries are broken up and the lead plates removed. The lead is then melted and refined to remove any other metals. If a battery is too degraded, it may be more efficient to discard it and recycle the metal as scrap metal.
Lead smelting is a process that has been relied upon for centuries for meltingLead down into usable industrial and consumer products. It is a complex process that involves several steps and hazardous materials. Efforts are being made to reduce emissions and create a cleaner and safer workplace. With these efforts, lead smelting will continue to be used safely and responsibly.
