SPENT FOUNDRY SANDS: RESCUING USEFUL MATERIALS FROM THE WASTE STREAM

In Indiana, the green sand retrieved from ferrous castings has been qualified for two uses: embankment and flowable fill. The environmental safety of spent foundry sands depends on the additives initially used with the sand and on the metals that are cast. Leaching tests are used to evaluate the presence of heavy metals in the sands. Questions remain about the need for additional environmental testing. Among the tests being considered is a non-chemical-specific test involving the response of living organisms to the leachate. Most spent ferrous green sands produce an acceptable response from bacteria, which is evidence to support recommending these materials for use in initial demonstration fills. Further details on the use of spent foundry sands in embankments and as flowable fill are provided in this article.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Photos;
  • Pagination: p. 38-39
  • Serial:
    • TR News
    • Issue Number: 184
    • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
    • ISSN: 0738-6826

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00723797
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, TRB
  • Created Date: Jul 10 1996 12:00AM