Co-processed Clinker: Integrated Technology Product for the Cement Industry Sustainability and Competitiveness / Clínquer Coprocessado: Produto de Tecnologia Integrada para Sustentabilidade e Competitividade da Indústria de Cimento

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2001

RESUMO

In August 2001, in Brazil, there were seven cement plants with and an increasing number of others on the way to get the permit to co-processing, i.e. burning industrial wastes in their kilns as substitutes for fossil fuels. For over five years now the Companhia de Cimento Ribeirão Grande has counted on partial substitution of a blend of different waste streams for fossil fuels in the burning process. Co-processed clinker makes up today the main component of their Portland cement, which has shown mechanical strengths at 1, 3, 7 and 28 days permanently above standardized minimal limits. In order to assess the immobility of trace elements incorporated to the clinkers, a methodology was used which comprised carrying out microscopy and chemical analysis by atomic absorption and X-ray spectrometry of both conventional and co-processed clinkers, leaching tests on laboratory cements prepared with co-processed clinkers, mineral chemistry by electronic microprobe and scanning electronic microscopy on experimental clinkers doped with Zn, V and Pb. The results led to the following general statements: - Co-processed clinkers showed sound microstructure just like conventional clinkers. - Raw materials – limestone, clay and iron ore – and fossil fuels account a great deal for the amounts of trace elements involved in the burning process. According to its composition, the blend enriches selectively co-processed clinkers. - A general compatibility of trace elements – even highly volatile ones such as Cd and Hg – in clinker was observed. Co and especially Pb, however, were comparatively incompatible. - Alite of experimental clinkers incorporated preferentially Zn and Pb while belite incorporated V. - No elements showed any significant solubility from laboratory cements, thus attesting retention of environmentally relevant trace elements in the crystal lattice of clinker mineral phases. Co-processed Portland clinker must present environmental quality by retaining trace elements in solid solution, while being able to keep sound textural relationships, and guarantee immobility of toxic components on the final product. This should be attested through a systematic control of clinkers and also of cements.

ASSUNTO(S)

mineralogia aplicada cement indústria de cimento hazardous wastes co-processing clínquer resíduos industriais applied mineralogy clinker industrial wastes cimento heavy metals cement industry co-processamento resíduos perigosos metais pesados

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