Waste solids, lead silver anode (EC 305-449-9)
Zinc Substances > Zinc UVCBs

Substance description/characteristics

  1. Name and other identifiers of the substance:

The substance Waste solids, lead silver anode is a UVCB (origin: inorganic)

Public name: Lead-Silver Oxides; Pb-Ag Oxide Drosses

Substance identity:
EC number: 305-449-9
EC name: Waste solids, lead silver anode
CAS number (EC inventory): 94552-05-3
IUPAC name: Residues remaining after recovering, melting and alloying of electrolytic lead/silver anodes. Consists primarily of lead, lead compounds, manganese oxides as well as minor amounts of other metals and/or their compounds.
Description:

During the Zinc electrolysis, the Lead-anodes need to be regularly cleaned and maintained. At the end of their service life, anodes need to be recycled. They are taken to a melting/casting shop where the Pb.Ag anodes are melted and recast

A scum/dross is formed on the melt surface, containing Lead oxide, manganese dioxide and some entrained metallic Pb-Ag alloy

The residues are isolated, from the molten metallic bath, by mechanical separation (rattling) and collected from the baghouse-filters

The separated material is collected into small containers near the furnace, the casting line and/or the filters

This Intermediate is typically used in production units of Lead metal or Lead compounds.
Molecular formula:  n.a.
Molecular weight range:  n.a.
Physical state: solid (massive) at 20°C, 1013 hPa

2. Source, process and conclusion

Source

Lead/silver anodes (recovery, melting and alloying of electrolytic lead/silver anodes)

Process

During the Zinc electrolysis, the Lead-anodes need to be regularly cleaned and maintained.  At the end of their service life, anodes need to be recycled. They are taken to a melting/casting shop where the Pb.Ag anodes are melted and recast. A scum/dross is formed on the melt surface, containing Lead oxide, manganese dioxide and some entrained metallic Pb-Ag alloy. The residues are isolated, from the molten metallic bath, by mechanical separation (rattling) and collected from the baghouse-filters. The separated material is collected into small containers near the furnace, the casting line and/or the filters. Further transfer of the PbAg Anode residue to enclosed or covered buildings in i.e. big-bags or containers, in accordance with legislation. The PbAg Anode residue is a mixture of lumpy and dusty products with an average Lead-content of 60-90% w/w with significant quantities of other metal-oxides (up to 25% Mn).
This Intermediate is typically used in production units of Lead metal or Lead compounds.
The ‘PbAg Anode residue’ is unloaded from transport trucks, ADR-big-bags or containers and transferred to storage silo’s through especially designed transfer units. It is then optionally blended with other Lead-containing primary or secondary materials and continuously fed to smelting furnaces (i.e. ISA, Blast, ...).  The ‘PbAg Anode residue’ is typically used in the production of Lead metal (EC 231-100-4) and recovery of precious metals.

Conclusion

Waste solids, lead silver anode are residues remaining after recovering, melting and alloying of electrolytic lead/silver anodes. They mainly consists of lead, lead compounds, manganese oxides. 

3. Composition of the substance

The Waste solids, lead silver anode boundary composition is detailed here below.

Elemental composition - boundary:

Core min (% w/w)  max (% w/w)  Typical (% w/w) 
Pb 60 90 70
Mn 2 25 2.77
Ag 0.1 0.5 0.34
Zn 0 2 0.46

Mineralogical composition - boundary:

Core min (% w/w)  max (% w/w)  Typical (% w/w) 
PbSO4 7 11 8.54
Pb 10 45 35
PbO2 29 43 33.67
Ag2O 0.05 0.27 0.25
MnO2 3 40 5
Ag 0.05 0.25 0.17
ZnSO4 0 4.9 1.14

4. Classification

The classification is always based on the worst case. For the generic grade Waste solids, lead silver anode, this corresponds to:  
Acute toxicity - inhalation Acute inhal. 4
Eye Irritation/corrosion Eye damage 1
Carcinogenicity Carc. 2
Reprotoxicity Repr. 1A
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated: STOT RE 1
Hazards to the aquatic environment (acute/short-term): Aquatic Acute 1
Hazards to the aquatic environment (long-term): Aquatic Chronic 1