Eco-friendly lactose/tannin-based binder in MgO–C refractories produced from MgO–C recyclate

Abstract

This study deals with the design and development of a new generation of MgO–C refractory material implementing spent MgO–C recyclate as a partial replacement of fresh raw materials, and a non-hazardous environment-friendly lactose- and tannin-based binder system. Throughout the experimental campaign the used MgO–C recyclate, which was received in three size fractions, was analysed, and building on the obtained results, multiple batches of various compositions of next-generation MgO–C bulks were prepared. These bulks varied in the ratio between the individual size fractions of the MgO–C recyclate, the ratio between the individual binder components and the amount of water used during the preparation of the raw material batches. The bulk samples were prepared in the form of cylinders through uniaxial pressing, cured and coked, and studied in terms of their cold crushing strength, microstructural parameters, thermal behaviour, residual carbon content, and microstructure. The proposed next generation of MgO–C composites represents a potential eco-friendly alternative to MgO–C refractories prepared from traditional raw materials while utilizing waste material which would otherwise end up landfilled.