Application and development of reverse osmosis brine in building materials: high-volume slag cement

Abstract

Due to the increasing depletion and pollution of drinking water, there has been an increase in the construction of desalination plants. However, reverse-osmosis brine (ROB) generated during seawater desalination and processing is released into the ocean, which affects the marine ecosystem and contributes to desertification. In this study, the author investigated the use of ROB as mix water in fabricating building materials, which would simultaneously reduce carbon dioxide emissions and ROB discharge in water bodies. Samples fabricated using ROB showed higher strength than those fabricated using tap water (TW)—ROB reduced the initial setting time and promoted the formation of dense hydration reaction products. Furthermore, ROB samples showed improved early-age strength, which solves the problem of poor early-age strength reported for high-volume slag cement (HVSC). These results show that the use of ROB in HVSC provides an ecofriendly building material and protects the marine ecosystem.