Abstract
This study demonstrated the use of KCl separated from chlorine bypass dust (CBD) as an activator for plain concrete. The separated KCl was mixed with either ground granulated blast-furnace slag (BFS) alone, or a mixture of BFS and cement. The mixed paste of separated KCl and BFS set within 24 h, and exhibited a compressive strength of 22.6 MPa after 28 d. The separated KCl, cement, and BFS mixture exhibited a more rapid setting and a higher initial activity. Further, the compressive strength at 28 d was 57.7 MPa, which was 26.2% higher than that of the mixture without the activator. Water curing of samples with added separated KCl led to the generation of hydrocalumite, or Friedel’s salt. However, this hydrocalumite was decomposed while being cured under autoclave conditions at 180 °C. Overall, KCl was an effective activator for composite materials containing cement, and resulted in superior properties compared to mineral admixtures without an activator.
Highlights
Advances in concrete-based construction technologies have facilitated rapid industrial development and the construction of cutting-edge residential infrastructures
Industrial by-products with hydraulic or pozzolanic reactivity have been widely investigated as substitutes that might allow for the reduction of cement usage, ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) and fly ash (FA) being two representative cementitious materials [4,5]
These industrial by-products are activated by alkali components, where the addition of an alkali activator can lead to enhanced reactions by forcibly destroying the thin film on the surface of industrial by-product particles [6,7]
Summary
Advances in concrete-based construction technologies have facilitated rapid industrial development and the construction of cutting-edge residential infrastructures. Industrial by-products with hydraulic or pozzolanic reactivity have been widely investigated as substitutes that might allow for the reduction of cement usage, ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) and fly ash (FA) being two representative cementitious materials [4,5]. These industrial by-products are activated by alkali components, where the addition of an alkali activator can lead to enhanced reactions by forcibly destroying the thin film on the surface of industrial by-product particles [6,7]. Alkaliactivated cement relies on costly alkali activators, and is less favorable in terms of performance and economic efficiency compared to mixtures based on Portland cement
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