Application of desulfurization gypsum as activator for modified magnesium slag-fly ash cemented paste backfill material

Abstract

Recycling industrial solid waste for mine backfill is one of the best ways to achieve green production in multiple industries. In this paper, the desulfurization gypsum (DG) as an activator is combined with the modified magnesium slag-fly ash cementitious paste backfill (MFPB) technology for the co-disposal of solid waste and goaf treatment, and the influence of DG on the performance of MFPB was comprehensively analyzed through rheological properties, mechanical properties, durability, microscopic analysis and environmental characteristics experiments. The results show that the fresh MFPB mortar conforms to the Herschel-Bulkley model at different maximum shear rate (γ̇max) conditions. When the γ̇max is 100 s−1, the mortar exhibits shear-thickening properties. The apparent viscosity, yield stress and static yield stress of mortar decreased first and then increased with the increase of DG content, and all had the minimum value when DG was 2.5 %. The thixotropy of the mortar was significantly increased with the addition of DG, and the change in thixotropy was significantly correlated with the difference between the two yield stresses. Both the rheological and mini-slump results demonstrate that DG can improve the flowability of MFPB mortars. In addition, the UCS of D0 under steam curing and standard water curing conditions for 28 d were 4.342 MPa and 2.827 MPa, and the sample containing DG were 6.109–8.241 MPa and 6.669–9.492 MPa, respectively. The addition of DG not only improves the strength of MFPB, but also improves the durability of MFPB. Microscopic analysis (XRD, SEM, and TG-DTG) indicated that this was mainly because DG promoted the hydration reaction of the MMS-FA system and accelerated the generation of C-S(A)-H and AFt. Finally, in the results of in situ leaching based on durability and leaching based on standard HJ 557, all the indexes of MFPB meet the standard of class III groundwater in GB/T 14848-2017, and it has an effective stabilization/solidification effect on heavy metals (As, Cu, Ni, Ba, Zn and Mo, etc.). To sum up, the collaboration of DG and MFPB technology can not only efficiently clean and utilize a variety of solid wastes (MMS, FA and DG), but also greatly improve the performance of MFPB to promote its application.