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Abstract

Galvanic sludge was treated in a direct current transfer arc low thermal plasma. The raw sludge obtained from KISWIRE Sdn Bhd was subjected to different operating temperatures (between 1050oC and 1670oC) in a short residence time of 5 and 7minutes. Treated galvanic sludge at5 minutes residence time and 1670oC (195A) attained an optimum of 84.83% mass reduction and 91.65% volume reduction, was reached, while at 7 minutes residence time an optimum of 88.35% at 1670oCof mass reduction, and 92.10%at 1546oCof volume reduction were also achieved .The non-homogeneity of the sludge and non-uniformity of the intensity of plasma generated lead to lower values of volume reduction in some instances. The average composition of gaseous product majorly constitutes of 90.063 mol % carbon monoxide (CO) but also there are the presence other gases (CO2, CH4, C2H4, C2H6, NO2, SO2, NH3) in lower concentrations. Aluminium, cadmium, chromium and nickel in galvanic sludge were completely eliminated and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) reduction of 98.11% was achieved.