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High-Value and Resource-Based Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste
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High-Value and Resource-Based Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Waste and Recycling".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 5636

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yongzhen Wang

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Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Interests: research on key technologies of coal-based solid waste silicon aluminum carbon energy resource utilization
Dr. Rui Zhou

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Guest Editor
College of Materials Science and Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
Interests: organic/inorganic porous materials and their applications in energy storage and environmental protection
Dr. Liang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
Interests: research on the aerogel manufacturing process; synthesis and properties of aerogel expanded perlite; performance of aerogel expanded perlite insulation material

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Expanding the source of natural resources as well as promoting harmony between man and nature is important to the sustainable development of human society. Coals have played a crucial role in the development process of human society over the centuries, but the accompanying problem to this is environmental pollution and the low-value utilization of coal-based solid waste. Coal-based solid waste normally refers to coal gangue, fly ash, lignite, etc., in general. The traditional utilization of coal-based solid waste is conducted in a relatively rough way, with practices such as stockpiling, landfill, simply mixed into concrete, combustion power generation with a low calorific value, etc. Achieving the high-value and resource-based utilization of coal-based solid waste will not only facilitate environmental conservation but also enrich mineral resources. Different from traditional utilization practices, high-value and resource-based utilization of emphasizes functional and high-value added applications and deep processing. This Special Issue on "High-Value and Resource-Based Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste" of Sustainability aims to highlight the recent advances in technology in down-stream processing with high added-value and resource-based applications of coal-based solid waste, as well as discuss the challenges and opportunities for the future development.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Wave absorbing and stealth applications;
  • Sound absorption and noise reduction applications;
  • Soil manure and conditioner applications;
  • Wastewater treatment technologies;
  • Foamed ceramic materials.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Yongzhen Wang
Dr. Rui Zhou
Dr. Liang Wang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • coal-based solid waste
  • coal gangue
  • fly ash
  • lignite
  • wave absorbing and stealth
  • sound absorption and noise reduction
  • soil manure and conditioner
  • wastewater treatment
  • foamed ceramic

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 8005 KiB  
Article
Advances in Deflocculant Utilisation in Sustainable Refractory Concrete with Refractory Waste
by Jolanta Pranckevičienė and Ina Pundienė
Sustainability 2025, 17(2), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17020669 - 16 Jan 2025
Viewed by 682
Abstract
In the last 10–15 years, the use of waste refractory materials has significantly increased because it is not economically justified to transport such expensive materials to landfills. This work compared the physical and mechanical properties of refractory concrete samples with those of individual [...] Read more.
In the last 10–15 years, the use of waste refractory materials has significantly increased because it is not economically justified to transport such expensive materials to landfills. This work compared the physical and mechanical properties of refractory concrete samples with those of individual deflocculants—polycarboxilate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and a deflocculant mixture. Three refractory concrete compositions with individual deflocculants and a deflocculant mix were created to choose the best main properties of refractory concrete. Five compositions of refractory concrete specimens were created by partial replacement of chamotte aggregate (CA) by refractory concrete waste (RCW) (100, 75, 50, and 25%). Exothermal profile, structure development and spread were determined for fresh refractory concrete pastes. It was found that with an increase in CA replacement level to RCW, the EXO maximum temperature, spread and structure evolution speed decreases. SEM and porosity tests confirmed density, compressive strength results and structural parameters. The study shows that RCW replacement slows the hydration process, particularly at replacement levels above 33%. However, replacement levels of up to 25% improve compressive strength by 13% due to the additional amount of cement minerals in RCW aggregates, which can participate in the hydration process, making it a viable option for applications where enhanced durability is required, such as in non-critical zones of industrial refractory linings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Value and Resource-Based Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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16 pages, 11132 KiB  
Article
Study on the Reinforced Properties of Geopolymer Fibers with a Sustainable Development Role
by Yongping Qu, Wentao Li, Caiping Wang, Honghong Cao and Rui Zhou
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 6255; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146255 - 22 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1078
Abstract
Geopolymers are of great significance in reducing the consumption of mineral resources, saving energy, protecting the environment, and realizing sustainable economic and social development. This experiment investigated geopolymer mortar with fly ash and metakaolin as the primary binders, assessing the impact of different [...] Read more.
Geopolymers are of great significance in reducing the consumption of mineral resources, saving energy, protecting the environment, and realizing sustainable economic and social development. This experiment investigated geopolymer mortar with fly ash and metakaolin as the primary binders, assessing the impact of different fiber types and volume fractions on the mortar’s flexural and compressive strength. The results indicated that optimal mechanical properties could be achieved with a fly ash-to-metakaolin ratio of 35:65. The mechanical performance is the best, with a compressive strength of 54 MPa, a flexural strength of 3.4 MPa, and a split tensile strength of 1.9 MPa at 28 days. Different fibers influenced the splitting tensile strength to varying degrees; with a 1.5% volume fraction of steel fibers, geopolymer mortar exhibited the best reinforcement effect, showing a 70% increase in flexural strength and a 142% increase in tensile strength. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the reinforcement from refined various fibers could refine the structure and further enhance the strength. Of steel geopolymer fibers’ The reinforcing effect of steel fibers is the best among them, and the internal structure is the most compact. The geopolymer mortar hydration products of geopolymer mortar reinforced with PP fibers, PVA fibers, steel fibers, and carbon fibers were amorphous network-structured zeolites (Na2[Al2Si3O10]·2H2O). The limitations of geopolymers can be effectively addressed through the aforementioned research, which can effectively reduce the use of cement and achieve the goal of sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Value and Resource-Based Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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19 pages, 4092 KiB  
Article
Ash Properties and Environmental Impact of Coal and Its Blend with Patent Fuel for Climate Sustainability
by Marija Trkmić, Lidija Ćurković, Danijela Ašperger, Magdalena Ujević Bošnjak, Ivana Vinković Vrček and Sanja Matečić Mušanić
Sustainability 2024, 16(11), 4413; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114413 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1686
Abstract
Fossil fuels are still widely used today, and exploring more sustainable ways of using coal is crucial. One promising approach is to develop a patented fuel with reduced harmful gas emissions during combustion. This study aims to investigate the properties of the ash [...] Read more.
Fossil fuels are still widely used today, and exploring more sustainable ways of using coal is crucial. One promising approach is to develop a patented fuel with reduced harmful gas emissions during combustion. This study aims to investigate the properties of the ash produced by burning steam coal mixed with various ratios of patent fuel. The combustion process was carried out using a standard solid fuel boiler with a power output of 70 kW. The ash samples were analyzed using various analytical methods, and ash leaching tests were conducted. The study found that adding patent fuel to coal affects combustion and ash composition. Determining the thermal stability of ash samples showed that adding patent fuel to coal results in decomposition starting earlier and in stronger combustion. The ash produced by patent fuel–coal mixtures contains lower concentrations of Ba, Cr, Ga, Li, Mn, V, and Zn than pure coal combustion. Leaching tests showed that coal ash leachates had higher concentrations of environmental pollutants, such as As, Cd, Co, Mn, Mo, Sb, and U, than patent fuel leachates. Adding patent fuel to coal affects combustion, ash properties, emissions, and disposal. Understanding these implications can help to develop sustainable coal usage and reduce environmental impact. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Value and Resource-Based Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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17 pages, 2232 KiB  
Article
Recycling of Coal Combustion Waste through Production of Foamed Geopolymers with Improved Strength
by Elena Alfredovna Yatsenko, Boris Mikhailovich Goltsman, Yuri Vladimirovich Novikov, Sergey Vyacheslavovich Trofimov, Anna Vladimirovna Ryabova, Victoria Alexandrovna Smoliy and Lyudmila Vasilievna Klimova
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16296; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316296 - 24 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1405
Abstract
Recycling of industrial waste into useful materials is a crucial aim for achieving sustainable development in materials science. The use of production waste in the manufacture of construction materials contributes to improving the environmental situation and reducing the cost of the final product. [...] Read more.
Recycling of industrial waste into useful materials is a crucial aim for achieving sustainable development in materials science. The use of production waste in the manufacture of construction materials contributes to improving the environmental situation and reducing the cost of the final product. This article examines the utilization of coal combustion waste recycled into foamed geopolymers and ways of enhancing their strength properties through the introduction of strengthening additives. Eight compositions of foamed geopolymers containing different strengthening additives were synthesized. Inorganic substances (CaO, MgO, ZnO, TiO2, Al2O3, SiC, and ZrO2) were chosen as strengthening additives that were introduced in an amount of 3% (over 100%). The physical and mechanical properties (density, compressive strength, porosity, and pore size distribution) of the obtained samples were studied and compared. Magnesium oxide MgO and aluminum oxide Al2O3 were chosen as the best strengthening additives. Magnesium oxide allows geopolymer materials with the lowest density to be obtained. Aluminum oxide can significantly increase the strength of geopolymers. The phase composition of the samples contains new crystalline phases in the form of α-alumina and periclase. The porous structure is homogeneous and meets the requirements for foamed thermal insulation materials. The strengthening effect of the chosen additives was verified using geopolymers based on different waste from Novocherkassk SDPP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue High-Value and Resource-Based Utilization of Coal-Based Solid Waste)
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