A preliminary study of aeolian sand-cement-modified gasification slag-paste backfill: Fluidity, microstructure, and leaching risks

Abstract

To realize low-cost green backfill mining, this paper proposes a novel model of aeolian sand-cement-modified gasification slag-paste backfill (ACGPB). This model realizes the safe disposal and resource utilization of hazardous solid wastes. A comprehensive experiment (including slump test, uniaxial compressive strength tests, microscopic test, and leaching toxicity tests) was conducted to explore how the mechanism of ACGPB depends on activator type and dosage. The results showed that fresh ACGPB slurry can be expressed by the Herschel-Bulkley model (R2 ≥ 0.965 in all recipes). With Na2SO4 as activator type, the yield stress, apparent viscosity, thixotropy, and slump of ACGPB slurry increased with increasing activator dosage. With CaO as activator type, the yield stress, apparent viscosity, thixotropy, and slump of ACGPB slurry fluctuated with increasing activator dosage. The mechanical properties of all recipes (not including Control group and C-C1) met the mechanical requirement (3 d ≥ 0.5 MPa and 28 d ≥ 1.0 MPa). In addition, the concentrations of all heavy metals remained within the range specified by the national standard. Specifically, the activator exerted a positive effect on the stabilization/solidification of heavy metal ions (Cu, Cd, Ba, Ni, Cr, Se, and As). Finally, FTIR, TG-DTG, SEM, and hydration heat were used to analyze the microstructure of ACGPB. The research results provide a creative way for the resource utilization of solid waste.