Open Access Conference Proceedings

<div>An energy and environmental assessment of the processing of secondary raw materials during hydrometallurgical zinc production using the Waelz process was made. The exergy method of thermodynamic analysis was used as a research method. A real operating installation at KCM SA - Plovdiv, Bulgaria serves as a model flowchart. The research aims to carry out a precise assessment of the internal energy resources of the processes, suitable for carrying out work under the given environmental conditions. This fact allows to determine the thermodynamic improvement of the processes, as well as to evaluate the internal (irreversible) and external (effluent) losses of available energy. The data obtained from the study were used in the assessment of the anthropogenic load on the environment, influenced by the real production processes of processing of secondary raw materials. The assessment was made by varying the amount of input secondary raw materials. Residual anthropogenic emissions in the environment, namely heat emissions, gas emissions and solid waste, deserve serious attention. The process of processing a larger amount of secondary raw materials is characterized by higher energy efficiency and lower environmental impact.</div>

Keywords: Secondary raw materials, hydrometallurgical zinc production, exergy analysis, environmental impact

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