Geopolymers as a material suitable for immobilization of fly ash from municipal waste incineration plants

Abstract

This paper discusses the possibility of using the process of geopolymerization to immobilize ash from municipal waste incineration plants. Fly ash used in the related research came from the same incineration plant, one of the biggest in Poland. The examination was conducted on the waste samples labeled as 190107* and 190113*. The comparison included such properties of waste as chemical composition, dioxin content, and size and morphology of particles. The waste was solidified in geopolymer matrix made from (i) fly ash from the combustion of bituminous coal or (ii) metakaolin. The waste percentages were 50 mass% and 70 mass%, respectively. Moreover, leaching tests were carried out and mechanical properties of the geopolymers materials containing immobilized ashes were analyzed. It was proved that geopolymerization process allows for the high-level immobilization of compounds and elements such as chlorides, sulfates, fluorides, barium, and zinc. Additionally, it was observed that in the case of the geopolymer samples containing 70 mass% of 190107* waste, the average compressive strength exceeded 18 MPa. Implications: A novel aspect of the results presented in this paper is the comprehensive investigation of the immobilization of large amounts of hazardous waste by means of the synthesis of geopolymers from metakaolin or coal fly ash. According to these results, it was determined that the level of immobilization is much higher in the case of the geopolymers based on metakaolin in comparison with geopolymers made from coal fly ash. On the basis on the obtained results, investigated geopolymers may be successfully used, e.g., as barriers or linear drains in landfills.

Calcined Post-Production Waste as Materials Suitable for the Hydrothermal Synthesis of Zeolites

“…For every 30 g of material, 100 mL of a 2.75 M NaOH solution was used. A molar concentration equal to 2.75 M NaOH was chosen based on previous own experiments, as well as based on the results presented in the literature [39,40,41]. Loiola et al [40] conducted a synthesis using a concentration of 2.75 M NaOH.…”

Eco-Friendly Fired Brick Produced from Industrial Ash and Natural Clay: A Study of Waste Reuse

“…Scientists have used different methods [19] to increase the porosity in modern brick production. A wide variety of waste materials have also been tested as sources of additives, including paper production residue [20]; cigarette butts [21]; rice husk ash [22,23]; kraft pulp production residue [24]; waste tea [25]; sawdust [26]; vine shoots [27]; vegetable matter [28]; pineapple leaf fibers [29]; organic matter [7]; sugarcane bagasse ash waste [30]; incorporated biomasses [31]; corn cobs [32]; organic and inorganic wastes [33]; ice husks, sawdust, coir pith and fly ash [16,[34][35][36][37][38]; granite sawing wastes [39]; municipal solid waste incinerator slag [40]; kaolin fine quarry residue, granulated blast-furnace slag and granite-basalt fine quarry residue [41]; Waelz slag and waste foundry sand [42]; industrial nanocrystalline aluminum sludge [43]; waste glass [44]; construction and demolition waste [45]; and crumb rubber, cement kiln dust, mine tailings, slags, wood sawdust, cotton waste, limestone powder and petroleum effluent treatment plant sludge [19,[46][47][48].…”

Incorporation of Alkali-Activated Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Bottom Ash in Mortar and Concrete: A Critical Review

“…Municipal solid waste ashes : glass powder [ 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ], sludge ashes [ 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ], and municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash [ 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ], and municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash [ 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 ].…”