Production and applications of electric-arc-furnace slag as solid waste in environmental technologies: a review

Slag, a by-product of steelmaking industries, has invaluable potentials for various environmental applications. Slag is generally produced in different types of furnaces working under various operating conditions and contains alumina, calcium oxide, silica and so on. Physical and chemical properties of a typical slag dictate the distinct methods of slag solidification including air cooling, steam introduction and injection of additives. Owing to this uniquely-widespread range of properties, slags are being increasingly considered attractive materials in a broad range of applications. They are widely used in transportation industry, construction, and cement manufacturing as well as wastewater and water treatment. This makes slag an important substitute for natural resources, leading to significant minimization in natural resource utilization. This paper walks through a comprehensive essay of steelmaking slag retained in a wide range of furnaces, their modifications and their applications alike.