Zinc partitioning between glass and silicate phases in historical and modern lead-zinc metallurgical slags from the Pribram district, Czech Republic

Metallurgical slags of different ages resulting from Pb-metallurgy in the Pribram district (Czech Republic) have been studied. The chemical analysis (EPMA) of melilite, clinopyroxene, olivine and glassy matrix showed the following ZnO concentrations(in wt.%): 3.20-11.93 (melilite), 1.56 (clinopyroxene), 1.29-7.82 (olivine), 1.58-6.58 (glass). The Zn partition coefficient D = C-5/C-1 between crystallized phases and coexisting glass was calculated. The values obtained are: 1.96-2.16 (melilite), 0.41 (clinopyroxene) and 0.79-1.19 (olivine). The distribution of zinc between the crystalline phases and glass depends on the phase assemblage, which reflects the blast furnace charge and temperature, as well as the cooling conditions of slags. (C) 2000 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.