Use of Mine Tailings as Precast Construction Materials through Alkali Activation

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 251-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Huang ◽  
Qingming Feng ◽  
Dongbo An ◽  
Jinhong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Precast Construction

scholarly journals Alkali Activation of Silicate Mine-Tailings: Response to Different Activator Sources

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Perumal ◽  
Illikainen
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Silicate ◽  
Sodium Carbonate ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Sodium Silicate Solution ◽  
Sodium Sulphate ◽  
High Alumina ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Early Age

To attain sustainability in construction industries, it is important to explore industrial side-streams as a potential replacement for traditional construction materials. This will avoid the depletion of natural resources and helps in preserving the environment. In this way, mining industry attracts the attention of scientific community for the huge volume of tailings generated along with the problem of disposal. This paper mainly focuses on silicate tailings (MT) from two different mining sources with high magnesium (HM) and high alumina (HA) content. To study the possibility of using these tailings as precursors in alkali activation, different activators such as, sodium silicate (Na2SiO3), sodium sulphate (Na2SO4) and sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) were employed. It was noted that the mine tailings took longer time to set in case of activators other than sodium silicate. The milled tailings were co-grinded with the respective solid activators (10%) and mixed with 30% of sodium silicate solution (accelerates setting), to make cylindrical paste specimens. The specimens were cured at 60 °C for 24 h. The results shown that tailings rich in magnesium (MT-HM) activated with sodium carbonate gives high early age strength i.e., 60% increase in average strength compared to other activators. Whereas, sodium silicate helped in achieving 10% increase in early age strength of high alumina tailings (MT-HA). However, this was not the case for the later ages. At 7th day of testing, sodium silicate activated MT-HM shown a strength improvement from 2 MPa to 6 MPa with the formation of magnesium silicate hydrate and hydrotalcite. MT-HA activated with sodium sulphate resulted in a maximum strength of 8.5 MPa due to the ettringite and zeolite in the system. Sodium carbonate does not show comparable results at 7th day of testing though it shown improvement in strength with age. It is also important to consider that there are other oxides like calcium and iron present in these tailings which could also have impacted the results.

scholarly journals Fayalite Slag as Binder and Aggregate in Alkali-Activated Materials—Interfacial Transition Zone Study

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adediran ◽  
Yliniemi ◽  
Illikainen
Keyword(s):  
Transition Zone ◽  
Sodium Hydroxide Solution ◽  
Coal Fly Ash ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Fine Powder ◽  
Silicate Solution ◽  
Interfacial Transition Zone ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Fayalite Slag ◽  
Alkali Activated

Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) are an environmentally friendly option for Portland cement mortars and concretes. Many industrial residues such as blast furnace slag and coal fly ash have been extensively studied and applied as AAM precursors but much less focus has been on the use of fayalite slags. Water-cooled fayalite slag comes in granular form, which is then milled into fine powder (d50 ~10 microns) prior to its alkali activation. In addition, the un-milled granular fayalite slag can be used as an aggregate to replace sand in mortar. The alkaline solution utilized for the study was a mix of 10 M sodium hydroxide solution and commercial potassium silicate solution. A liquid to solid ratio of 0.15 was held constant for all the mixes. The particle size distributions of the binder and the aggregates were optimized, and the microstructure and chemical composition of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) was studied using scanning electron microscope coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. ITZ is a region that exists between the aggregate and the binder and this can influence the mechanical and transport properties of the construction materials. The results showed that the mechanical properties of mortar having fayalite slag as aggregate and binder was significantly higher than one with standard sand as aggregate. No distinct ITZ was found in the samples with fayalite slag as aggregate. The outer rim of the fayalite slag aggregate participated in the hardening reaction and this significantly contributed to the bonding and microstructural properties of the mortar samples. In contrast, an ITZ was observed in mortar samples with standard sand aggregates, which contributed to its lower strength.

Potentials of steel slag and copper mine tailings as construction materials

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (sup6) ◽  
pp. S6-250-S6-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Oluwasola ◽  
M. R. Hainin ◽  
M. M. A. Aziz ◽  
H. Yaacob ◽  
M. N. M. Warid
Keyword(s):  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Steel Slag ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Copper Mine ◽  
Copper Mine Tailings

scholarly journals Assessment of Radon Concentration and Impact on Human Health in a Region Dominated by Abandoned Gold Mine Tailings Dams: A Case from the West Rand Region, South Africa

Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moshupya ◽  
Abiye ◽  
Mouri ◽  
Levin ◽  
Strauss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
The West ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Radon Gas ◽  
Tailings Dams

Radon gas has long been identified as a human carcinogen. The purpose of this study was to understand the occurrence of radon gas in the West Rand region, located west of the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, and to investigate its potential health effects. In this study, the sampling of rocks, tailings, and construction materials was carried out for geochemical analyses. For characterisation of radon, 60 radon monitors (RGMs) were installed in indoor and outdoor environments. The results showed that mine tailings contain high uranium levels, with a maximum of 149.76 ppm and a mean value of 48.87 ppm. The radon levels in the area ranged between 32 Bq/m3 and 1069 Bq/m3 and thus, exceed the typical outdoor radon levels of about 10 Bq/m3. Significantly high values were obtained from gold tailings dams. In indoor environments, radon concentration ranged up to a maximum of 174 Bq/m3, which is above the recommended value of 100 Bq/m3. The effective doses calculated from the obtained radon levels showed a maximum of 16 mSv/y, which is above the recommended value of 1 mSv/y proposed for public exposure. The estimated doses have an enormous potential to pose high lung cancer risks to the populations residing nearby tailings.

scholarly journals A Review of Sustainable Management of Mine Tailings

2015 ◽  
Vol 773-774 ◽  
pp. 1256-1260
Author(s):  
Ali A. Mahmood ◽  
Maria Elektorowicz
Keyword(s):  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Cold Climates ◽  
Unpaved Roads ◽  
Tailings Management

This paper summarizes research done on mine tailings management and explores new trends in the sustainable re-use of these tailings in construction activities. It is concluded that no research to date had addressed the issue of using hardened mine tailings as construction materials for temporary access unpaved roads in cold climates.

scholarly journals Alkali activation as new option for gold mine tailings inertization

2018 ◽  
Vol 187 ◽  
pp. 76-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Kiventerä ◽  
Isabella Lancellotti ◽  
Michelina Catauro ◽  
Francesco Dal Poggetto ◽  
Cristina Leonelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Gold Mine ◽  
Gold Mine Tailings

scholarly journals Radiological and physico-chemical characterization of red mud as an Al-containing precursor in inorganic binders for the building industry

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-191
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kljajevic ◽  
Miljana Mirkovic ◽  
Sabina Dolenec ◽  
Katarina Ster ◽  
Mustafa Hadzalic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Red Mud ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Polymerization Process ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Silica Alumina ◽  
Alkali Activated

The potential re-use of red mud in the building and construction industry has been the subject of research of many scientists. The presented research is a contribution to the potential solution of this environmental issue through the synthesis of potential construction materials based on red mud. A promising way of recycling these secondary raw materials is the synthesis of alkali-activated binders or alkali activated materials. Alkali-activated materials or inorganic binders based on red mud are a new class of materials obtained by activation of inorganic precursors mainly constituted by silica, alumina and low content of calcium oxide. Since red mud contains radioactive elements like 226Ra and 232Th, this may be a problem for its further utilization. The content of naturally occurring radionuclides in manufactured material products with potential application in the building and construction industry is important from the standpoint of radiation protection. Gamma radiation of the primordial radionuclides, 40K and members of the uranium and thorium series, increases the external gamma dose rate. However, more and more precedence is being given to limiting the radiological dose originating from building materials on the population these days. The aim of this research was to investigate the possible influence of alkali activation-polymerization processes on the natural radioactivity of alkali activated materials synthesized by red mud (BOKSIT a. d. Milici, Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina) and their structural properties. This research confirmed that during the polymerization process the natural radioactivity was reduced, and that the process of alkali activation of raw materials has an influence on natural radioactivity of synthesized materials.

Alkali activation of low-alumina mine tailings for more sustainable raw material supply

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2/3/4) ◽  
pp. 255
Author(s):  
Paivo Kinnunen ◽  
Mirja Illikainen ◽  
Mahroo Falah ◽  
Robert Obenaus Emler
Keyword(s):  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Alkali Activation ◽  
Material Supply

scholarly journals Production of ceramic construction materials as an environmental management solution for sulfidic mine tailings

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Paiva ◽  
F. Simões ◽  
H. Maljaee ◽  
J. Yliniemi ◽  
M. Illikainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Firing Temperature ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Waste Valorization ◽  
Firing Shrinkage ◽  
Reaction With Water

AbstractMine tailings (MT) waste valorization in construction materials can be one possible solution because they may allow an alternative for some applications as an important contribution for a more circular economy. The aim of this work was to study the feasibility of using a sulfidic mine tailing in the production of building materials such as ceramic roof tiles. The introduction of 5, 10 and 20% MT in ceramic roof tiles promoted an improvement on the final properties of these materials. The use of 20%MT has decreased the firing temperature from 1150º to 1050 ºC, hence promoting energy savings and lower costs. Properties as density and water absorption were improved. Firing shrinkage, many times responsible for cracking, also decrease with the use of MT and, in this way, improve the production rate. The 20% MT ceramic formulation achieved the highest value of strength with lowest firing temperature. For the effects of sulphates' emission (SO2 and SO3 gases) upon firing, a solution was proposed involving their reaction with water and, through condensation, providing afterwards sulphuric acid as a process by-product. The use of high sulphide MT in ceramic roof tiles processing could be viewed as a potential safe waste management solution for these particular mine tailings.

scholarly journals Retention of Pollutants Elements from Mine Tailings of Lead in Geopolymers for Construction

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6184
Author(s):  
Juan María Terrones-Saeta ◽  
Jorge Suárez-Macías ◽  
Ana María Castañón ◽  
Fernando Gómez-Fernández ◽  
Francisco Antonio Corpas-Iglesias
Keyword(s):  
Mine Tailings ◽  
Potassium Hydroxide ◽  
Chemical Elements ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Physical And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Mining Waste ◽  
Mechanical And Physical Properties ◽  
New Construction ◽  
Alkaline Activator

The construction sector is one of the most demanding sectors of raw materials in existence today. As a consequence, the extraction of these materials has a significant impact on the environment. At the same time, mining activities produce a series of wastes, in some cases with polluting elements, which must be treated to avoid pollution. Therefore, the use of mining waste for the conformation of new construction materials is an important environmental advantage, even more so when such waste is prevented from producing polluting leachates. Therefore, in this research, geopolymers are developed with mine tailings from the Linares lead mines, chemically activated with potassium hydroxide. For this purpose, different percentages of the alkaline activator were tested and the physical and mechanical properties of the conformed materials were evaluated. The analysis of the different conformed geopolymers determined the optimum percentage of potassium hydroxide for conforming the geopolymer with the best mechanical and physical properties. In addition, the concentration in the leachate of potentially contaminating chemical elements in the mining waste was estimated to be lower than those regulated by the regulations. Consequently, this research shows the development of a sustainable material for construction with mining waste and reduction of the environmental impact of traditional products.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document