Open Access

ARTICLE

Utilization of Bayer Red Mud Derived from Bauxite for Belite-Ferroaluminate Cement Production

Yanrong Zhao^1,2,3,#, Ping Chen^1,4,*,#, Shifeng Wang⁵, Yaxiong Ji^3,4, Yuanhao Wang^3,4,*, Bolin Wu^1,2, Rongjin Liu¹

1 College of Material Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
2 Key Laboratory of New Processing Technology for Nonferrous Metal & Materials, Ministry of Education, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
3 Guangxi Key Laboratory of New Energy and Building Energy Saving, Guilin, 541004, China
4 Guangxi Engineering and Technology Center for Utilization of Industrial Waste Residue in Building Materials, Guilin, 541004, China
5 Department of Physics, College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China

* Corresponding Authors: Ping Chen. Email: ; Yuanhao Wang. Email: .
# These authors contributed to the work equally and should be regarded as co-first authors

Journal of Renewable Materials 2020, 8(11), 1531-1541. https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2020.011462

Received 09 May 2020; Accepted 10 June 2020; Issue published 28 September 2020

Abstract

Bayer red mud (BRM) is a kind of industrial solid waste characterized by huge volume and high alkalinity. Its disposal generates serious environmental pollution and occupies a large number of farmland. The utilization and recycling of BRM is currently a crucial issue and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The chemical composition of BRM is similar to cement clinker. In this study, the feasibility of preparing Belite-ferroaluminate clinker (BFAC) with different BRM was explored. The physical properties, mechanics performance, radioactivity levels and trace harmful metals leaching were measured. XRD, BEI and EDS were used to characterize the mineral formation, and SEM is used to reveal the solidified mechanism of trace harmful metal. The results show that the preparation of BFAC using a certain amount of BRM was feasible. The formed phases in clinkers mainly included C₄A₃Š, C₂S and C₄AF. The flexural strength and compressive strength of BFAC at 3 days increased whereas 28 and 90 days decreased with the increase of BRM due to the formation of higher C₄AF and lower C₂S. The formation of large amounts of Al₂O₃·3H₂O gel and Fe₂O₃·3H₂O gel in hydration products enhanced the adsorption capability to heavy metals and other ions. The trace harmful metal concentration in the leaching solution was much less than the upper limits. The radioactivity level of leaching solution was close to natural radioactive background. BRM is safe as raw material of BFAC.

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