Open Access

The aim of this work is to characterize the furnace gas sludge generated during wet mechanical blast furnace gas cleaning and to assess its potential for possible further use, taking into account the problem of heavy metal contamination. For this purpose, the process of wash water treatment and the resulting furnace gas sludge were analyzed analytically in cooperation with Vulkan Energiewirtschaft Oderbrücke GmbH. The analysis methods used here are enclosed to the measurement of pH value, electrical conductivity, dry matter content, ash content and calorific value. In addition, a comprehensive elemental analysis was carried out using atomic absorption spectroscopy and a microscopic examination of the furnace gas sludge was performed. The results obtained show that the furnace gas sludge is suitable for further use in any case, both within and outside the steelworks process. However, this requires a high level of technical effort, which is associated with high costs and requires further research and process optimization.