Utilization of Glass Bead Blasting Wastes to Yield a Salable Product

Reductions in hazardous waste materials disposal is an area that continues to carry National urgency. Wastes generated from glass bead abrasive blasting operations contain heavy metals and other constituents which can result in a hazardous waste classification. The work outlined here proposes to utilize the glass bead wastes as a raw material in a process to reduce and react heavy metals wastes, forming marketable ferroalloys. This process would be fueled by a waste solid fuel material, and the process would yield a non-hazardous by-product which could be used in the construction industry as structural fill. Conventional modular equipment can be employed in this processing scenario. A successful test program as outlined in this proposal would provide an economical alternative to hazardous waste treatment and eliminate the liabilities and costs associated with hazardous waste disposal. This Phase I work will be directed to establishing the conditions necessary to utilize the glass bead wastes in the reduction and reaction of the metal compounds and effect their separation from the heavy metal waste materials. Phase II would proceed to a pilot scale melter, with particular attention to melter design.