Selenium emissions from glass melting furnaces: formation, sampling and analysis

Autores: Scalet, B.M.|Slade, S.|Kasper, A.|Marcke de Lumen, G. van|Gitzhofer, K.|Limpt, H. van
Fuente: Glass Technol.
A 47 (2), 29-38
2006

The ICG Technical Committee 13 (TC13 «Environment») have reviewed the methods for sampling and analysing selenium emissions from glass furnaces. Selenium is an important constituent of some types of glass but unfortunately, due to its high volatility, much of the selenium added to the batch of such glasses leaves the furnace in the waste gases. Accurate sampling, and subsequent analysis, of the selenium in the emissions are important both to understand its environmental impact and because its presence in waste gas is often controlled by statutory limits. This position paper assesses selenium emissions in relation to its unique chemical properties and describes how understanding these are required to understand waste gas chemistry, determine appropriate sampling methods, and to produce an accurate mass balance for selenium through the melting and emission processes. Methods for analysing selenium in waste gas flues, in the glass product and in particulate control filter samples are described and compared. The results of «round robin» tests are reported, and best practice methods for sampling and analysing selenium are suggested.