Geopolymers from DC Plasma–Treated Air Pollution Control Residues, Metakaolin, and Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23, Issue 6
Abstract
Air pollution control (APC) residues generated from cleaning gaseous emissions at energy-from-waste (EfW) plants burning municipal solid waste are classified as hazardous waste and are a significant disposal issue in the UK. APC residues have been combined with glass-forming additives and treated using direct current (DC) plasma technology. This reduces the waste volume and produces an inert black glass (APC glass) that has potential to be used beneficially. In this work, APC glass has been characterized and used to form geopolymers. Metakaolin and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) geopolymers have also been prepared. The compressive strengths, density, water absorption, and porosity of APC glass geopolymers were evaluated. Samples were also characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscropy (FTIR). Results show that APC glass geopolymers have excellent mechanical properties compared with other geopolymer materials with high density, low porosity, and particularly high compressive strength. The work has demonstrated that the glass from DC plasma treatment of APC residues can be used to form geopolymers with appropriate properties to be used in a range of construction applications.
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Acknowledgments
This work was completed as part of the project “Integrated solution for air pollution control residues (APC) using DC plasma technology” funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board and Defra through the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) program.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 23 • Issue 6 • June 2011
Pages: 735 - 740
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 3, 2010
Accepted: Aug 20, 2010
Published online: Sep 18, 2010
Published in print: Jun 1, 2011
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