Pressed non-fired bricks from phosphogypsum waste for non-load bearing wall

Abstract

In several countries of the world, phosphogypsum represents a large quantity of waste that poses serious problems of environmental and groundwater pollution. This study aims at recovering phosphogypsum, in its raw state without treatment, in the manufacture of non-load-bearing non-fired bricks. The study starts with the analysis of the radionuclide activity of the materials constituting the bricks, in particular phosphogypsum, in order to avoid any human health problems after the manufacture and use of the bricks. Then, several compositions are tested with several preservation methods in order to optimize the composition. The physical, chemical and mechanical resistance is determined. The results show the possibility to produce non-load-bearing bricks based on untreated phosphogypsum which comply with the standards requirements, using low energy. Indeed, among the considered mixtures, two compositions (60% of PG and of 75% of PG) perfectly verify the physical and mechanical tests. Also, storage of the mixtures for two days in the laboratory and then three days in an oven at 70°C, allows to obtain the best resistance to compression. Thus, the obtained resistance is much higher than the minimum value required for non-load-bearing bricks.