Characterization of dust from Boliden Mineral AB's copper-plant in Sweden w
as carried out using chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, energy
dispersive analysis and wave length analysis using electron microprobe equi
pment. Dust from four different locations was characterized: the electrosta
tic precipitator (ESP) after the roasting furnace, the ESP after the copper
smelting furnace; from the copper converter Ventilation bag house filter;
and from the bag house filter collecting dust from the settling furnace and
tap gas ventilation. The results showed that the dust is composed of small
solid and/or liquid particles from the furnace reactor which have been tra
nsported with the process gas to the dust collecting devices. This portion
of the dust is mechanically formed. II also contains compounds that have be
en vaporized in the process and then condensed from the process gas at lowe
r temperature, chemically formed dust. The proportion of mechanical and che
mical dust varies with the process generating the dust.