Effects of Fluorogypsum and Flue-Gas Desulfurization Gypsum on the Hydration and Hardened Properties of Alkali Slag Cement

In order to explore the influence of the types of waste gypsum on the properties of alkali slag cement, fluorogypsum (FG) and flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum were comparatively investigated. Moreover, the action mechanisms of FG and FGD gypsum on the properties of alkali slag cement were analyzed. The results show that both the FG and FGD gypsum prolonged the setting time of the alkali slag cement paste. However, the prolongation effect of FG was more pronounced than the FGD gypsum. When the compressive strength was maximum, the contents of FG and FGD gypsum were 5 and 6 wt.%, respectively. At 3 and 28 days, compared to the control sample, the compressive strengths increased by 59.3% and 24.3%, and 66.9% and 33.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the XRD, TG-DTA and SEM-EDS results showed that, with the increase in the contents of FG and FGD gypsum, ettringite was more easily produced and the hydration products were more abundant in the system. The greater the gypsum content of the paste, the less accumulated was the heat of hydration. The change of micro-structure caused by the formation of ettringite was the main reason for the difference in the properties of cement.

Influence of Calcined Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum and Calcium Aluminate on the Strength and AFt Evolution of Fly Ash Blended Concrete under Steam Curing

In order to improve the early strength of fly ash blended cement concrete under steam curing conditions, fly ash was partly substituted by calcined flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum and active calcium aluminate. The effect of the composition and curing condition on the workability, mechanical property, and volume stability was systematically evaluated. The variety of hydration products and the evolution was determined by XRD to explore the formation kinetic of ettringite. Results show that the addition of calcined FGD gypsum and active calcium aluminate is able to improve the early compressive strength but using more FGD gypsum and a high sulfur aluminum ratio leads to a reduction in compressive strength from 28 to 90 days due to the increment of ettringite and crystallization of dihydrate gypsum. Both the free expansion ratio and limited expansion exhibited a continuous increasement with time, especially in the first 14 days of testing. Cracks were not observed on the surface of samples immersed in water for a year. The improvement of strength and shrinkage resistance is mainly due to the formation of ettringite generated before 14 days and the precipitation was highly limited from 14 to 28 days. Moreover, the characteristic peak of gypsum appeared after 28 days, indicating the conversion of partial of calcined FGD gypsum. The work presented here provides a new solution for improving the early strength of fly ash concrete without reducing the later strength and consuming extra energy.

Effect of Using Flue-Gas Desulfurization Gypsum and Water Treatment Sludge on Compressive Strength of Cement Mortar

Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is a material that is widely used in construction. The production of OPC creates large amounts of carbon dioxide. Mortar is one of the building materials that uses cement as the main ingredient, including the use of natural sand as a fine aggregate. Therefore, to reduce the use of cement and natural materials, flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum was used instead of OPC, and water treatment sludge (WTS) was used instead of fine sand to create cement mortar. This research used both materials as ingredients in the production of cement mortar and helped to reduce waste in the environment. The objective is to study the suitable ratios of FGD gypsum and WTS in the production of cement mortar. As for the binder, FGD gypsum was used instead of OPC at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. Instead of fine sand, WTS was used at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%. The cement mortar was tested after 7 days for compressive strength. It was found that the cement mortar made with increased ratios of FGD gypsum and WTS decreased in compressive strength.

Influence of Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum on Phosphorus Loss from a Horticultural Growth Medium

In response to agriculture’s contribution to surface water quality, considerable effort is being made to develop best management practices to reduce nutrient loss. To evaluate the efficacy of gypsum as a horticultural media amendment for controlling phosphorus (P) leaching, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum was added to a standard horticultural growth medium at 0, 2.5, 5, 10 or 15% (v/v). FGD gypsum was either mixed with the growing medium or placed at the bottom of the containers. A fast-release or a control-release fertilizer was top-dressed to containers. The greatest P leaching occurred with the fertilizer-only treatments (no gypsum). Dissolved reactive P (DRP) losses were highest on the initial day of measurement for the fast-release fertilizer and then decreased rapidly. There was a delayed release of DRP from the controlled-release fertilizer. Increasing rates of FGD gypsum addition resulted in decreasing DRP leaching concentration loss and load. The FGD gypsum decreased leachate DRP concentration loss by a maximum of 75%, with an average decrease of 46%. Mixing the FGD gypsum with the medium (an easier/less expensive means of incorporation) was most effective with the fast-release fertilizer. These preliminary results indicate that less gypsum may be needed to reduce P loss from fast-released fertilizer as opposed to control-release fertilizer. FGD gypsum remained effective in reducing DRP loss throughout the experiment.