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.
Quantitative analysis of metals in waste foundry sands by calibration free-laser induced breakdown spectroscopy
Abstract Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was applied for quantitative analysis of the elemental composition of waste molding and core sands produced from industry as part of the casting process. To perform the analysis, waste foundry sands (WFS) were collected from metalcasting foundries and prepared in the form of solid pellets with the addition of polyvinyl alcohol as binder. The measurements were carried out using the Mobile double pulse instrument for LIBS analysis (Modi). The spectral analysis was carried out with the calibration-free approach (CF-LIBS). Metal elements commonly found in WFS including Al, Ba, Fe, Li, Mg, Mn, Pb, Ti, Zr, and Zn, were detected and quantified. The metal concentrations for WFS were compared with virgin sand to assess the influence of the casting material as well as the binders used in the foundries to reclaim the sands. The results demonstrated the feasibility of LIBS method as an alternative or complementary technique for the chemical characterization of WFS.
Bone changes in tuberous sclerosis mimicking metastases.
Sclerotic and lytic bone changes of tuberous sclerosis (TS) can mimic bone metastases. We report a case of bone metastases from bronchogenic carcinoma in a patient with TS bone changes. Bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging are useful in distinguishing the TS bone lesions from bone metastases.