Search Results (5)

This paper presents the influence of adding rinsed ilmenite mud waste (R-MUD) on the microstructure of Portland cement composites, compared to similar composites containing fly ash (FA). The aim of the study is the assessment of the pozzolanic activity of ilmenite mud waste by its impact on the microstructure of the cement matrix in comparison to the undoubted pozzolanic activity of fly ash. The presented test results include pore size distribution, phase composition, pozzolanic activity using thermal analysis, R³ bound water test, and microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tests were performed on mortars cured for up to 360 days. The results presented in this paper have shown that R-MUD has a pozzolanic activity level similar to FA or better, which influences pore size distribution in the composite and its microstructure. During the curing process, the microstructure of composites containing R-MUD became more compact and sealed than those with FA, which might also increase their durability. The results of the R³ tests have proven the pozzolanic activity of R-MUD but its level was lower than FA. R-MUD might be a useful substitute for fly ash, especially given the lack of good-quality fly ash on the market. Full article

Thermal plasma systems are being used for the recovery of metals from complex waste and minerals. The latter contain multiphase metals in various forms that are extremely tedious to separate. Thermal plasma arc melts the waste and minerals for qualitative plasma products for powder industries. In this overview, we briefly report a description of the various thermal plasma systems and their uses in recovering metal from metal-containing materials in the form of waste or minerals. Various plasma arc systems, such as transferred, nontransferred, and extended arc, have enabled the development of an efficient and environmentally friendly way to recover valuable metals from industrial wastes such as red mud and minerals such as ilmenite. Full article

This paper presents a method of utilising ilmenite MUD created during the production of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) according to the sulphate method as an additive for Portland cement composites. After the production process, undissolved MUD was additionally rinsed with water and filtrated in the factory to make it more useful (R-MUD) for implementation and also to turn back some of the by-products of the production of TiO₂. R-MUD is less hazardous waste than MUD. It has a lower concentration of sulphuric acid and some heavy metals. The rinsing process raised the concentration of SiO₂, which is a valuable part of R-MUD because of its potential pozzolanic activity. This means that the R-MUD might be a reactive substitute of part of Portland cement in building composites. The article presents the results of research on the pozzolanic activity of R-MUD and other materials with proved pozzolanic activity, such as silica fume, fly ash and natural pozzolana (trass). Tests were performed using thermal analysis techniques. The tests showed that the pozzolanic activity or R-MUD after three days is at the same level as silica fume and after 28 days it is twice as high as the activity of fly ash. Beyond the 180th day of curing, R-MUD had the same level of activity as fly ash. The summary is supplemented by calorimetric tests, which confirm the high reactivity of R-MUD compared to other commonly used concrete additives, already in the initial hydration period. In summary, heat of hydration after 72 h of Portland cement with R-MUD is at the same level as the heat of hydration of Portland cement with silica fume and also pure Portland cement grout. The results confirm that the process of formation of micro-silica contained in R-MUD react with calcium hydroxide to form the C-S-H phase, which is responsible for the microstructure of cement composites. Full article

Sustainable development leads to the production of building materials that are safer for the environment. One of the ways to achieve sustainability in materials is the addition of industrial wastes and by-products, especially to concrete. However, the addition of waste to concrete often decreases its durability and the scope of aggression of the environment in which the concrete is used has to be reduced. Making sustainable concrete, which is also durable in more aggressive environments, is rather difficult. This article presents the results of tests performed on concrete containing ilmenite mud waste from the production of titanium dioxide, which was exposed to frost aggression with and without de-icing salts. The results have shown that a sustainable and frost resistant concrete can be made. After 200 freeze–thaw cycles, the compressive strength of the tested concretes decreased by less than 4%. Concretes were highly resistant for scaling and after 112 freeze–thaw cycles in water with de-icing salt, the scaled mass was less than 0.02 kg/m². The air void distribution has also been analyzed. The results suited the requirements for frost resistance concrete and were similar to those obtained for a reference concrete with fly ash. The examination of the microstructure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has not shown any potential risks that might affect the durability of concrete. Particles of waste were thoroughly combined in the binder and some of its constituents seem to be an active part of the cement matrix. Long-term tests of shrinkage (360 days) have not shown any excessive values that would differ from the reference concrete with fly ash. The presented results have shown that sustainable concrete containing ilmenite mud waste from the production of titanium dioxide might also be resistant to frost aggression. Full article

Storing waste in concrete instead of landfills is environmentally friendly and also might make concrete more sustainable if some part is replaced with cement. This article presents a new way of valorising hazardous waste, namely ilmenite MUD from the production of titanium dioxide, which is used as a reactive additive to concrete. In fact, there are currently no articles presenting the way of valorisation that is presented in this paper. The global annual production of MUD is estimated to be about 0.7 million tons. Valorisation is possible due to the additional rinsing and filtering in the factory, which also confirms the novelty of this article. In this operation, the most hazardous compounds are returned back to the factory process. Rinsed mud (RMUD) is a pozzolanic reactive material with the potential use as a substitute of a part of Portland cement in concrete and other cementitious binders, like siliceous fly ash (FA). The level of RMUD pozzolanic activity is as high as the activity of siliceous fly ash. Comparative tests of concretes containing RMUD and fly ash, such as compressive strength, bending strength and shrinkage, were conducted. The concrete containing RMUD reached almost 90% of compressive and 108% of bending strength after 28 days of curing, compared to FA concrete. The results presented in this article are very promising and might point to a new way of valorising ilmenite mud waste. Full article