Analysis of total metals in waste molding and core sands from ferrous and non-ferrous foundries.
Waste molding and core sands from the foundry industry are successfully being used around the world in geotechnical and soil-related applications. Although waste foundry sands (WFSs) are generally not hazardous in nature, relevant data is currently not available in Argentina. This study aimed to quantify metals in waste molding and core sands from foundries using a variety of metal-binder combinations. Metal concentrations in WFSs were compared to those in virgin silica sands (VSSs), surface soils and soil guidance levels. A total analysis for Ag, Al, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Te, Tl, V, and Zn was conducted on 96 WFSs and 14 VSSs collected from 17 small and medium-sized foundries. The majority of WFSs analyzed, regardless of metal cast and binder type, contained metal concentrations similar to those found in VSSs and native soils. In several cases where alkyd urethane binder was used, Co and Pb concentrations were elevated in the waste sands. Elevated Cr, Mo, Ni, and Tl concentrations associated with VSSs should not be an issue since these metals are bound within the silica sand matrix. Because of the naturally low metal concentrations found in most WFSs examined in this study, they should not be considered hazardous waste, thus making them available for encapsulated and unencapsulated beneficial use applications.
Near Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis of Foundry Moulding and Core Sands
Sands coated, mixed and polymerised with a wide variety of materials are used to make moulds and cores for the casting of metals. Heating results in the production of a wide variety of organic materials by pyrolysis. These resulting compounds may need to be characterised before waste sands can be beneficially used in the environment. The objective of this work was to examine the potential of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to qualitatively identify organic residues in waste green sands (clay-bonded moulding sand). Examination of spectra of waste green sands, burnt and unburnt cores and components used in producing sands for the foundry industry have demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy has potential for use to confirm the identity and composition of source materials. Additional research is needed to determine if NIR spectroscopy can be successfully used to quantify organics present in waste foundry sands.
Organic geochemical characteristics and depositional setting of Tertiary organic-rich sediments from onshore Penyu Basin , eastern Chenor , Pahang , Malaysia
Poor knowledge of the organic facies characteristics of the eastern Chenor Pahang has made it remain an untapped potential in the Penyu Basin. Therefore, detailed geochemical and petrographic characterization of the Tertiary organic facies of the eastern Chenor area of the Penyu Basin was carried out to characterized its organic matter (OM) source input. Towards achieving the goal, this study focuses on determination of organic matters richness, type and origin as related to their paleoenvironmental conditions of the carbonaceous mudstone and shale using organic petrography combined with organic and inorganic geochemistry. The sedimentary succession is characterized by fine to coarse grained sandstone occurring in association with carbonaceous mudstone and shale in a predominantly fining upward sequence within a lacustrine environment. These facies are generally enriched in organic matter as indicated by the TOC results, hydrocarbon yield (S2) and extractible organic matter (EOM), suggesting significant hydrocarbon generation potential for the area.