Shotcrete using ternary binder made from coal combustion products: from lab tests to an application

The paper presents a ternary binder development and its utilization in shotcrete. The binder is made from fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ash, siliceous fly ash, and Ca(OH)2 addition, now available under the name Sorfix. XRD and TGA identified ettringite and C-S-H as two main hydration products. In addition, thermodynamic modeling verified robustness in terms of space-filling capabilities when varying input oxide composition. Since alkali-free accelerators produce mostly ettringite in Portland-based systems, a fraction of Portland cement was advantageously replaced with the ternary binder, forming early ettringite as well. Extensive testing led to 45% replacement of Portland cement, following J2 curve for early strength gain used commonly in shotcrete tunnel linings. The shotcrete was successfully tested in a mock-up experiment in a 2 m3 Prague served for the full-scale application, utilizing over 1000 tons of Sorfix and saving over 700 tons of CO2

Influence of the Composition and Curing Time on Mechanical Properties of Fluidized Bed Combustion Fly Ash-Based Geopolymer

This paper presents novel research on a fluidized bed combustion (FBC) fly ash-based geopolymer as a contribution to the problem of FBC fly ash disposal, and a proposal for a new geopolymer composition—an environmentally friendly material that is possible to use in construction. Geopolymer samples of various composition (containing FBC fly ash as the main raw material, metakaolin and CRT glass as additional components, and sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide as activators) were subjected to flexural and compressive strength tests. An investigation on the effect of the demolding time was carried out on one selected mixture. The test showed that both the composition and the demolding time have a decisive influence on the basic mechanical properties. A mixture containing FBC fly ash to metakaolin in a mass ratio of 3:1, removed from the mold after 14 days, was found to be the best in terms of the mechanical parameters expected from a material that could be used in construction, e.g., for the production of precast elements. According to the results obtained, FBC fly ash is a promising and environmentally friendly raw material for the production of geopolymer, with good mechanical properties and low density. Moreover, a high compressive strength can be obtained by curing the geopolymer at ambient temperature.

Extending the Life Cycle of Cement Binders by Partially Replacing Portland Cement with Different Types Fluidized Bed Combustion Fly Ash

A significant reduction in the CO2 emission associated with cement production is obtained by partially replacing Portland cement with supplementary cementing materials (SCM’s): e.g., siliceous fly ash or granulated blast furnace slag. In the near future, the limited availability of these materials will do more attractive to use ashes from combustion in fluidized bed boilers, which currently are mainly deposited in various landfills. Paper identifies the effect of Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC) fly ash from both hard and brown coal combustion on the durability of mortars exposed to sodium and magnesium sulfate solution at different curing temperature: 20 and 5 °C. The evaluation was based on the results of long-term linear changes of mortar samples made with Portland cement and different amounts of FBC fly ash addition stored in a corrosive environment, as well as the evaluation of the type of formed corrosion products using XRD and microstructural studies (SEM/EDS). It has been shown that amount of FBC fly ashes used in binders significantly determines sulfate resistance of prepared cements as well as its chemical composition. By using fluidized ashes, the sulfate resistance of cement binders can be achieved with their content even of 15%.

Durability of Cement and Ash Mortars with Fluidized and Siliceous Fly Ashes Exposed to HCl Acid Environment over a Period of 2 Years

The paper presents results of research on the impact of fly ash from fluidized bed combustion (FBC) of lignite, used in quantities of 30 and 45% by mass, and the mixture of FBC and silicious fly ash in amount of 45% by mass, on properties of cement–ash mortars. Mortars were exposed to aggressive environment of 1, 3, and 5% HCl solutions for 2 years. Mortars containing 45% FBC exposed to 1% HCl solution (pH = 2) showed the highest durability from among other mortars. The growth of their strength observed after 90 days of testing in 1% HCl environment, as well as the lowest drop of strength after 730 days of exposure to this environment, resulted from the reduced amount of large pores from 20 to 200 nm in mortars containing fly ash, with simultaneous growth of smaller pores of <20 nm during testing. A beneficial effect has been demonstrated of FBC addition to cement on properties of cement–ash mortars exposed to the aggressive impact of the HCl. Mortars with FBC fly-ash content increased to 45% by mass showed higher strength values, smaller differences in linear and mass changes, and increased durability in an aggressive environment observed during 730 days of testing.

Impact of Fly Ashes from Combustion in Fluidized Bed Boilers and Siliceous Fly Ashes on Durability of Mortars Exposed to Seawater and Carbonation Process

This article presents test results of aggressive environment impact, i.e., seawater, acid solutions and carbonation, on the durability of cement–ash mortars. Tests were conducted on CEM I 42.5R-based mortars containing 35 to 70% by mass of FBC fly ash from brown and black coal combustion in a homogeneous form and mixtures of 35% by mass of siliceous fly ashes (CFA) and 35% by mass of FBC fly ash. It was demonstrated that in normal conditions (20 °C), FBC ashes showed higher pozzolanic activity than CFA, except when their curing temperature was increased to 50 °C. FBC ashes increased mortars’ water demands, which led to an accelerated carbonation process. In an environment of Cl− ions, cement–ash mortars showed more Ca2+ ions leached and no expansive linear and mass changes, which, with their increased strength, might be an argument in favour for their future use in construction of coastal structures resistant to seawater. FBC ash content may be increased to 35% by mass, maintaining mortars’ resistance to seawater, acid rain and carbonation. A favourable solution turned out to be a FBC and CFA mixed addition to cement of 35% by mass each, in contrast to mortars containing 70% of FBC fly ash in homogeneous form.

Development of the Strength of the Fluidized Bed Combustion Fly Ash Based Geopolymer in Time

ThispaperpresentsastudyintothemechanicalbehaviourofFluidizedBedCombustion (FBC)fly ash-based geopolymer.FBCflyashisaby-product of a burning of a solid fuel (hard coal in case of this study) in a furnace at a low temperature. FBC fly ash is a type of a waste which is more difficult to recycle than pulverized fly ash.UsingFBCflyashin geopolymers offers one possible way to recycle it. The main goals of the investigation were to determine the influence of curing temperature and curing conditions on the strength of FBC fly ash-based geopolymer; to determine the changes of strength over time and the changes of the temperature inside the geopolymer during the curing process. Tests have shown that the strength of the geopolymer generally increases in line with the increase of a curing temperature. The compressive strength stabilizes after 5 days of curing and yet continues to gain extra strength over the longer term. Theflexuralbehaviourisnotmonotonicandthereforehardtopredict.The temperature inside the geopolymer rises rapidly until reaching around 27.5°C and then decreases steadily. Keywords: geopolymer, Fluidized Bed Combustion Fly ash, temperature, strength

Use of fly ash from fluidized bed boilers in clinker-slag-ash based binders

The study presents the state of knowledge regarding physical and chemical properties, as well as trends for application of fly ashes from combustion in fluidized bed boilers in building materials. Clinker - slag - ash based binders were tested that contained up to 40 mass % of fly ashes from combustion in fluidized bed boilers. It was demonstrated that fluidized bed combustion fly ashes (FBC fly ash), apart from granular blast furnace slag, could be the ingredient of low clinker Portland cements (ca. 20% by mass). These cements, compared to CEM I Portland cement, have higher water demand and durability in the corrosive environment, and a lower compressive strength value. Based on test results of binders with various content of blast furnace slag and fly ash, the clinker - slag - ash based binder was singled out, which demonstrated the higher durability in the corrosive environment. It was found that production of clinker - slag - ash based binders was possible in the strength class 32.5 even with 30% by mass of FBC fly ash content.

Permeability of the Mixture of Fine Grained Soil and Fly Ash from Fluidized Bed Combustion

Based on known correlations permeability was calculated for the mixtures containing various proportions of selected FBC fly ash, Speswhite kaolin and lime. The influence of initial water content of the mixtures was also considered. The study was limited to the first four weeks of curing time. Results of calculations were discussed on the background of previously obtained observations for mixtures of tested materials.