Hydration properties of eco-cement pastes from waste sludge ash clinkers

Three types of hydraulic cements have been developed by incorporating sludge ash from a primary sewage treatment plant and a water purification plant, as well as slag from steelworks (ferrate), as a partial replacement for clay, silica, alumina, and iron oxide in raw cement meal. The raw meal for the pre-determined recipes was prepared by heating it to 1400 degrees C for 6 hr in a clinkerization process, using a simulated incinerator and smelter. The major components of ordinary Portland cement, C3S, C2S, C3A, and C4AF, were all found in the clinkers. Of the three types of eco-cements, the eco-cement A paste was most similar to ordinary Portland cement in terms of composition and compressive strength development, while the eco-cement B paste showed early strength development. The differential thermal analysis species analyses indicated that the hydrates in the eco-cement pastes were mainly calcium hydroxide and CSH gels, like those found in ordinary Portland cement paste. Moreover, the degree of hydration, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, increased in all eco-cement pastes with an increasing curing age. The results indicate that it indeed is feasible to use sludge ash and ferrate to replace up to 20% of the mineral components of raw materials for cement.     

Characterization of eco-cement paste produced from waste sludges

In this study, marble sludge, sewage sludge, drinking water treatment plant sludge, and basic oxygen furnace sludge were used as replacements for limestone, sand, clay, and iron slag, respectively, as the raw materials for the production of cement in order to produce eco-cement. It was found that it is feasible to use marble sludge to replace up to 50% of the limestone and also that other materials can serve as total replacements for the raw materials typically used in the production of cement. The major components of Portland cement were all found in eco-cement clinkers. The eco-cement was confirmed to produce calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrates during the hydration process, increasing densification with the curing age. The compressive strength (S_c) and microstructural evaluations conducted at 28 d revealed the usefulness of eco-cement. It was observed that the S_c data correlated linearly with the pore volume (P) data at 28 d. The proposed model equation could be represented as S_c = 178-461P (correlation coefficient, R² = 0.96). Two parameters, the large capillary pore volume and the medium capillary pore volume, were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.     

Latent Hydraulic Reactivity of Blended Cement Incorporating Slag Made from Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Fly Ash

Abstract

The reactivity of cement pastes made by blending Portland cement with slag from municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash was investigated to assess the potential of recycling MSWI fly ash slag. The slag, prepared by melting MSWI fly ash at 1400 °C for 30 min, was pulverized and ground, then blended with ordinary Portland cement (OPC), using various substitution levels to make slag-blended cement (SBC). The pozzolanic reactivity of the ecocement was then characterized by determining variations in the compressive strength, degree of hydration, microstructure, speciation, and mineralogical crystalline phases. The results suggest that the strength of the pastes at an early age decreased with increasing substitution levels, whereas the strength at a later age of the tested pastes (with substitution levels less than 10%) outperformed OPC paste because of typical SBC properties. The development of strength at a later age was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. This implies that active silica (Si) and alumina (Al) react with the hydration product, calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂), to form calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), which contributed to strength development at a later age by the filling up of pores in the SBC pastes. The pozzolanic activity of the SBC pastes indicates that it is suitable for use as a substitute for OPC in blended cement.     

Latent hydraulic reactivity of blended cement incorporating slag made from municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash

The reactivity of cement pastes made by blending Portland cement with slag from municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) fly ash was investigated to assess the potential of recycling MSWI fly ash slag. The slag, prepared by melting MSWI fly ash at 1400 degrees C for 30 min, was pulverized and ground, then blended with ordinary Portland cement (OPC), using various substitution levels to make slag-blended cement (SBC). The pozzolanic reactivity of the ecocement was then characterized by determining variations in the compressive strength, degree of hydration, microstructure, speciation, and mineralogical crystalline phases. The results suggest that the strength of the pastes at an early age decreased with increasing substitution levels, whereas the strength at a later age of the tested pastes (with substitution levels less than 10%) outperformed OPC paste because of typical SBC properties. The development of strength at a later age was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. This implies that active silica (Si) and alumina (Al) react with the hydration product, calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), to form calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), which contributed to strength development at a later age by the filling up of pores in the SBC pastes. The pozzolanic activity of the SBC pastes indicates that it is suitable for use as a substitute for OPC in blended cement.     

Pozzolanic reactivity of the synthetic slag from municipal solid waste incinerator cyclone ash and scrubber ash

This study investigates the pozzolanic reactions and compressive strength of the blended cement manufactured using synthetic slag obtained from municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) cyclone ash and scrubber ash as partial replacement of portland cement. The synthetic slag was made by co-melting the MSWI scrubber ash and cyclone ash mixtures at 1400 degrees C for 30 min. Following pulverization, the different types of slag were blended with cement as cement replacement at ratios ranging from 10 to 40 wt %. The synthetic slag thus obtained was quantified, and the characteristics of the slag-blended cement pastes were examined. These characteristics included the pozzolanic activity, compressive strength, hydration activity, crystal phases, species, and microstructure at various ages. The 90-day compressive strength developed by slag-blended cement pastes with 10 and 20 wt % of the cement replaced by the synthetic slag outperformed ordinary portland cement by 1-7 MPa. X-ray diffraction species analyses indicated that the hydrates in the slag-blended cement pastes were mainly portlandite, the calcium silicate hydrate gels, and calcium aluminate hydrate salts, similar to those found in ordinary portland cement paste. Differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis also indicated that the slag reacted with portlandite to form calcium silicate hydrate gels.     

Fly and bottom ashes from biomass combustion as cement replacing components in mortars production: Rheological behaviour of the pastes and materials compression strength

In the present research mortar pastes obtained by replacing a commercial cement with the equivalent mass of 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt.% of fly ash or bottom ash from fir chips combustion, were prepared and rheologically characterized. It was observed that the presence of ash modifies their rheological behaviour with respect to the reference blend due to the presence, in the ashes, of KCl and K₂SO₄ which cause precipitation of gypsum and portlandite during the first hydration stages of the pastes. Hydrated materials containing 5 wt.% of ash display compression strength and absorption at 28 d of same magnitude as the reference composition; conversely, progressive increase of ash cause a continuous decline of materials performances. Conversely, samples tested after 180 d display a marked decline of compression strength, as a consequence of potassium elution and consequent alkali-silica reaction against materials under curing.     

基于响应面法的污泥快速固化效能综合影响简

针对现有污泥固化技术存在的固化养护时间长、低温条件下固化效能低等问题。研究提出污泥快速（3 d）固化技术，采用响应曲面分析方法，重点考察了石灰、组分A、硅酸盐水泥、粉煤灰和温度等5因素对固化效能的综合影响，研究结果表明，石灰、组分A、硅酸盐水泥、粉煤灰和养护温度等因素对3 d固化体的无侧限抗压强度和含水率的线性效应显著，石灰和组分A、石灰和养护温度对无侧限抗压强度的交互影响显著，石灰和粉煤灰、组分A和养护温度、硅酸盐水泥和粉煤灰对含水率的交互影响显著；得出了5因素对固化体3 d无侧限抗压强度和含水率影响的定量模型，可对污泥快速固化进行优化和预测；并利用XRD和SED对污泥固化块的化学成分和微观结构进行了分析。     

基于响应面法的污泥快速固化效能综合影响

针对现有污泥固化技术存在的固化养护时间长、低温条件下固化效能低等问题。研究提出污泥快速（3d）固化技术，采用响应曲面分析方法，重点考察了石灰、组分A、硅酸盐水泥、粉煤灰和温度等5因素对固化效能的综合影响，研究结果表明，石灰、组分A、硅酸盐水泥、粉煤灰和养护温度等因素对3d固化体的无侧限抗压强度和含水率的线性效应显著，石灰和组分A、石灰和养护温度对无侧限抗压强度的交互影响显著，石灰和粉煤灰、组分A和养护温度、硅酸盐水泥和粉煤灰对含水率的交互影响显著；得出了5因素对固化体3d无侧限抗压强度和含水率影响的定量模型，可对污泥快速固化进行优化和预测；并利用XRD和SED对污泥固化块的化学成分和微观结构进行了分析。     

A Modified Power Law Representation of the Pasquill-Gifford Dispersion Coefficients

Abstract

To broaden the beneficial reuse of sewage sludge, small amounts of nanomaterial were considered as additives to evaluate influences of nanomaterials on microstructures of sludge cement paste. Paste specimens were manufactured using different mix designs and cured for various ages. Tests such as scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were then performed. Results obtained indicated that the quantities of crystallization in hydrates rose with the increased amounts of nanomaterial added. Moreover, nanomaterial additives could make crystallizations denser, pore sizes smaller, and the number of pores decreased. Consequently, the strength of sludge cement paste became better as more amounts of nanomaterial were added.     

固体废弃物对新拌水泥浆体密实度与强度的影响

研究固体废弃物(石灰石粉、粉煤灰、赤泥和矿渣)作掺合料颗粒体系与新拌浆体填充密实性能的关系;分析了在水胶比为0.3时,以上4种固体废弃物以不同比例等质量取代水泥的净浆强度。实验结果表明,石灰石粉、粉煤灰、赤泥作为掺合料,能够改善胶凝材料的颗粒级配,填充新拌水泥浆体中的孔隙,使浆体更为密实,并且对其净浆的强度有利。     

A Study of Ammonia Source at a Portland Cement Production Plant

A source and process sampling study was conducted at a dry process Portland Cement production plant. The study was performed to determine the nature of the formation of a highly visable plume related to the kiln emissions. One aspect of the study focused on the source or point of NH₃ within the production process. An extensive number of process solids from raw feeds to baghouse solids were collected and analyzed for NH₄ ⁺. Samples were analyzed for NH₄ ⁺ both by washing the solids with 0.1 N H₂SO₄ and by collecting NH₃ in impingers as it was evolved from heated solids. The results showed that NH₄ ⁺ was present in many process samples and that the collection efficiency of NH₄ ⁺ in the baghouse was related to baghouse temperature. The data also showed that NH₃ was derived from the shale used in the raw feed at this cement production plant.     

Conditioning of sewage sludge by Fenton's reagent combined with skeleton builders

Physical conditioners, often known as skeleton builders, are commonly used to improve the dewaterability of sewage sludge. This study evaluated a novel joint usage of Fenton’s reagent and skeleton builders, referred to as the F-S inorganic composite conditioner, focusing on their efficacies and the optimization of the major operational parameters. The results demonstrate that the F-S composite conditioner for conditioning sewage sludge is a viable alternative to conventional organic polymers, especially when ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and lime are used as the skeleton builders. Experimental investigations confirmed that Fenton reaction required sufficient time (80 min in this study) to degrade organics in the sludge. The optimal condition of this process was at pH = 5, Fe²⁺ = 40 mg g⁻¹ (dry solids), H₂O₂ = 32 mg g⁻¹, OPC = 300 mg g⁻¹ and lime = 400 mg g⁻¹, in which the specific resistance to filtration reduction efficiency of 95% was achieved.     

废铅酸蓄电池铅膏性质分析

为给废旧铅蓄电池铅膏的湿法回收工艺提供理论依据,对湖北金洋冶金股份有限公司破碎分选后的废铅膏进行了XRF、XRD、物理分析及化学分析等,确定了废铅膏的主要成分、理化性质等特性。结果表明,废铅膏粒径细小,碾钵磨细后能过120目的筛下物超过77.4%,这对湿法转化是有利的。废铅膏主要组成为64.5%PbSO4、29.5%PbO2、4.5%PbO、0.8%Pb及其他微量杂质元素,杂质主要包括Fe、Sb和Si等。因此,铅膏湿法处理时应该采取合适的净化工艺。     

Fluidized-bed-combustion ash for the solidification and stabilization of a metal-hydroxide sludge

Fluidized-bed-combustion (FBC) ash is a by-product from a developing technology for coal-fired power plants that will economically reduce air emissions to meet requirements of the Clean Air Act. FBC ash has physical and chemical properties similar to Portland cement, but only has moderate success as a pozzolan in concrete applications due to low compressive strengths. However, FBC ash has proven effective for use as a binder for the solidification and stabilization (S/S) of metal-bearing sludges. Physical and chemical characterization procedures were used to analyze FBC ash and a metal-bearing sludge obtained from a hazardous waste treatment facility to develop 12 different S/S mix designs. The mix designs consist of four binder designs to evaluate sludge-to-binder ratios of approximately 0, 0.5, and 1. Portland cement is used as a control binder to compare unconfined compressive strengths and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) analyses from different ratios of the FBC ash streams: fly ash, char, and spent bed material (SBM). Compressive strengths ranging from 84 lbs per square inch (psi) to 298 psi were obtained from various mix designs containing different sludge-to-ash ratios cured for 28 days. All the mix designs passed the TCLP. Recoveries from leaching for each metal were less than 5% for most mix designs. Results of unconfined compressive strengths, TCLP, and percent recovery calculations indicate that the mix design containing approximately a 1:1 ratio of fly ash to char-and-sludge is the best mix design for the S/S of the metal-bearing sludge.     

The impact of sewage sludge compost on tree peony growth and soil microbiological,and biochemical properties

In order to assess the suitability of sludge compost application for tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)–soil ecosystems, we determined soil microbial biomass C (C_mic), basal respiration (R_mic), enzyme activities, and tree peony growth parameters at 0–75% sludge compost amendment dosage. Soil C_mic, R_mic, C_mic as a percent of soil organic C, enzyme (invertase, urease, proteinase, phosphatase, polyphenoloxidase) activities, and plant height, flower diameter, and flower numbers per plant of tree peony significantly increased after sludge compost amendment; however, with the increasing sludge compost amendment dosage, a decreasing trend above 45% sludge compost amendment became apparent although soil organic C, total Kjeldahl N, and total P always increased with the sludge compost amendment. Soil metabolic quotient first showed a decreasing trend with the increasing sludge compost application in the range of 15–45%, and then an increasing trend from compost application of 45–75%, with the minimum found at compost application of 45%. As for the diseased plants, 50% of tree peony under the treatment without sludge compost amendment suffered from yellow leaf disease of tree peony, while no any disease was observed under the treatments with sludge compost application of 30–75%, which showed sludge compost application had significant suppressive effect on the yellow leaf disease of tree peony. This result convincingly demonstrated that ?45% sludge compost application dosage can take advantage of beneficial effect on tree peony growth and tree peony–soil ecosystems.     

Fate of radiocesium in sewage treatment process released by the nuclear accident at Fukushima

The nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) which occurred after the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 resulted in releases of radionuclides such as ¹³⁴Cs (half-life:T_1/2 = 2.06 yr), ¹³⁷Cs (T_1/2 = 30.04 yr) and ¹³¹I (T_1/2 = 8.05 d) to the environment. For this paper, we observed the monthly variations of radiocesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs) and stable Cs concentrations in influent, effluent, sewage sludge, and sludge ash collected from a sewage treatment plant 280 km north of the FDNPP from July to December, 2011. Using the stable Cs results, we concluded the mass balance of Cs in the sewage treatment plant showed that about 10% of the Cs entering the sewage treatment plant would be transferred to the sewage sludge, and then Cs in the sewage sludge was totally recovered in the sludge ash. The behavior of Cs was similar to that of Rb, but it was not similar to that of K in the sewage treatment process.     

Influence of thermally activated paper sludge on the behaviour of blended cements subjected to saline and non-saline environments

Background, aim and scope  One of the problems to affect Portland cement matrices is low resistance to aggressive agents, due principally to the presence of a high content of portlandite in the hydrated cements. Pozzolanic materials have played an important role in the improving the durability of cement-based materials for decades. This work studies the behaviour of cement mortar matrices blended with 10% calcined paper sludge (source for metakaolinite) and exposed to different environmental conditions (saline and non-saline environments) after 6 and 12 months of exposure. Materials and methods  Two cements were studied: an ordinary Portland cement (CEM 1, 42.5R), acting as reference cement, and a blended cement formulated by mixing 90% (by mass) of CEM 1, 42.5R with 10% (by mass) of paper sludge calcined at 700°C for 2 h. The specimens were exposed 1 year to saline and non-saline environments. All the mineralogy samples were studied through X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyser. The in-depth study on ionic mobility was performed on samples subjected to natural exposure (coast and tableland) for 6 and 12 months. Results  Portland cement was composed of quartz, calcite, calcium hydroxide and tobermorite gels. The pozzolanic cement (10% calcined paper sludge) is of the same composition but a high calcite concentration and barium carbonate. SEM analysis from coastline show deposits of variable composition. The deposits are identified on the surface of different mineral components. The minerals from tableland are much fractured, i.e. calcite and feldspars. Inside the fractures, the deposits and the ions are located and trapped superficially. Discussion  SEM analysis of control cement Portland and 10% calcined paper sludge shows deposits on quartz and calcite with a very high concentration of Pb, Zn, Cl and barium sulphate. A very porous aspect is due to the presence of the different aggregate types. This porous configuration permits retention of the ion environment. The pozzolanic cement in environments subject to the saline mist favours the retention and transport of ions observed. Something similar also happens with the increase in exposure to outdoor weather. Non-saline samples show temperature changes (ice or thaw cycles). Barium retention is kept on the surface in fracture lines by the gelification processes. In general, it may be inferred that an increase in exposure time increases the diffusion of ions towards test piece interiors. The chemical composition profiles show that the ions present different penetration speeds. Conclusions  The results indicate the better vulnerability of pozzolanic cements from calcined paper sludge in saline and non-saline environments. The cements with a 10% addition of calcined paper sludge favour retention and transport of ion has been observed. Recommendations and perspectives  Today, projects are centred on a new recycling line for industrial waste of this kind, with special attention on its incorporation in cement manufacture as a pozzolanic material, setting the most appropriate activation conditions of the mineralogical compound in this waste (kaolinite and metakaolinite) and taking them as a starting point for this project. The use of pozzolanic cement with 10% addition of calcined paper sludge is a system which favours ionic retention.     

Extraction of raw sewage sludge containing iron phosphate for phosphorus recovery

The objective of the present study was to establish an alkali extraction technology for FePO₄-containing sewage sludge obtained from a wastewater treatment system that includes phosphorous removal by iron electrolysis. By clarifying the extraction properties of phosphorous, organic matter, and inorganic matter, conditions for alkali extraction were optimized. As a result, it was suggested that unheated phosphorous extraction would be superior for FePO₄-containing sewage sludge. And, extraction methods and sewage sludge properties were also compared, and the noteworthy result that extraction of metals can be suppressed to extremely low amounts with alkali extraction as compared with acid extraction was obtained. A new insight was also gained that, as compared with the use of incinerated ash reported in previous studies, alkali extraction was more efficient when raw sewage sludge was used.     

污泥焚烧灰固化处理技术研究

研究了硅酸盐水泥、高铝水泥、高岭土和β-萘系减水剂在污泥焚烧灰固化技术中的应用效果。考察了污泥焚烧灰固化块(以下简称固化块)的抗压强度,测定了固化块的重金属浸出毒性,并采用X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电镜(SEM)分析固化块组成和微观结构。结果表明,4种物质对提高固化块的抗压强度均具有较好的效果,硅酸盐水泥、高铝水泥、高岭土和β-萘系减水剂的适宜掺量分别为10、30、20、1.0g(以100g污泥焚烧灰中掺加的质量计)。XRD和SEM分析结果显示,经固化处理后制得的固化块结构密实,存在石英(SiO2)、水化硅铝酸钙(CaAl2Si2O8)和水化硅酸铝钙(Ca2Al2SiO7)等物质,其中水化硅铝酸钙等凝胶物质有利于提高固化块的抗压强度。     

The effects of nanomaterials on microstructures of sludge ash cement paste

To broaden the beneficial reuse of sewage sludge, small amounts of nanomaterial were considered as additives to evaluate influences of nanomaterials on microstructures of sludge cement paste. Paste specimens were manufactured using different mix designs and cured for various ages. Tests such as scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were then performed. Results obtained indicated that the quantities of crystallization in hydrates rose with the increased amounts of nanomaterial added. Moreover, nanomaterial additives could make crystallizations denser, pore sizes smaller, and the number of pores decreased. Consequently, the strength of sludge cement paste became better as more amounts of nanomaterial were added.