Utilization of phosphorus slag as fly ash replacement in low-heat Portland cement blends: Comparative study of hydration behaviors, physical properties, and life-cycle assessment

Abstract

This paper presents the benefits of utilizing phosphorus slag (PS) to replace fly ash (FA) in low-heat Portland cement (LHPC) blends. After the first three days, PS exhibits worse mechanical properties and lower hydration heat compared to FA, presumably owing to its retarding effect. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of PS are approached that of FA at 180 days. Based on the Krstulovic-Dabic (K-D) model, the Qmax values of LHPC, L75F25 (where the letters stand for the material and the numerals indicate the composition percentage), L65F35, L75P25, L65P35, and L50F25P25 are: 370.4 J/g, 312.5 J/g, 323.6 J/g, 333.3 J/g, 322.6 J/g, and 238.1 J/g, respectively. The effects of pozzolanic reaction and pore structure refinement of PS are more pronounced than that of FA, resulting in the Qmax of PS being relatively higher compared to FA. The number of gel capillaries (d < 10 nm) in L75P25 is 12% higher compared to L75F25 at 90 days. The pozzolanic reaction in FA is mainly occurred within 3 days to 28 days. However, in PS the corresponding period is from 28 days to 90 days. Furthermore, the synergistic impact between FA and PS in LHPC ternary blends is further decreased the drying shrinkage and cumulative heat, increases the H/LHPC content, and refines the pore structure. L75P25 has the lowest strength-normalized cost, which is 0.069 $/t/MPa ∼ 0.100 $/t/MPa less compared to L75F25. LHPC-FA-PS ternary blends has pronounced advantages on the strength-normalized energy consumption and carbon footprint. The strength-normalized carbon footprint and energy consumption of L50F25P25 are 1.89 kg/t/MPa and 5.57 MJ/t/MPa lower compared to L75F25, respectively.