Investigations of physicochemical properties of dusts generated in mechanical reclamation process of spent moulding sands with alkaline resins

Mechanical reclamation processes of spent moulding sands generate large amounts of postreclamation dusts mainly containing rubbed spent binding agents and quartz dusts. The amount of postreclamation dusts, depending in the reclamation system effi ciency and the reclaim dedusting system, can reach 5%-10% in relation to the total reclaimed spent moulding sand. The proper utilization of such material is a big problem facing foundries these days. This study presents the results of investigations of physicochemical properties of post- reclamation dusts. All tested dusts originated from various Polish cast steel plants applying the mechanical reclamation process of moulding sands with alkaline resins, obtained from different producers. Different dusts, delivered from foundries, were tested to determine their chemical composition, granular characterization, physicochemical and energetic properties. Presented results confi rmed assumptions that it is possible to utilize dusts generated during mechanical reclamation of used sands with organic resins as a source of energy.