Uso del residuo industrial “yeso rojo” como sustituto del yeso natural para la fabricación de cementos comerciales

A Mena-Nieto,F Vaca,J P Bolívar,M J Gázquez,R García-Tenorio

doi:10.3989/mc.2011.63910

Abstract

The main objective of this research has been the valorisation of a waste from the TiO2 production process (sulphate method), called red gypsum, in the production of cements. This waste is mainly formed by di-hydrate calcium sulphate and iron hydroxides. To cover this objective it has been necessary to perform the physico-chemical characterisation of the red gypsum as well as the main components in the production of cements and of the new cements generated. Moreover, for the red gypsum, has been analyzed its radioactive content because it is generated in a NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) industry. Finally, the most important properties of the obtained cements with different proportions of red gypsum in their composition have been studied by comparing them with the standard ones obtained in a Portland cement. Lastly, we have demonstrated that the new cements fulfil all the quality tests imposed by the European legislation.

Highlights

Any industrial process that requires the use of raw materials, applying physical and/or chemicals transformations to produce a new product, generates waste in variable proportions in relation to the amount of raw material entering in the process
Due to the growing awareness in the protection of health and the environment, the recovery of waste currently generated in most industrial processes is the subject of a thorough investigation
The minimization in the waste production, avoiding its direct release into the environment, generates environmental benefits and the production of certain co-products with economic value that can be allocated to new applications (3, 4)

Summary

Introduction

Any industrial process that requires the use of raw materials, applying physical and/or chemicals transformations to produce a new product, generates waste in variable proportions in relation to the amount of raw material entering in the process. Due to the growing awareness in the protection of health and the environment, the recovery of waste currently generated in most industrial processes is the subject of a thorough investigation. On the other hand, is important do not leave out the potential economic benefit of this recovery (1, 2). The minimization in the waste production, avoiding its direct release into the environment, generates environmental benefits and the production of certain co-products with economic value that can be allocated to new applications (3, 4). The residue to valorize is commonly known as red gypsum, and is generated in the neutralization process which is applied to the acidic

Methods

Results

Conclusion