Influence of Minor Elements in Clinker on the Properties of Cement: A New Approach for Application to Commercial Cement Manufacturing

Abstract

Cement manufacturers today use various waste materials and by-products as raw materials or fuels in cement manufacturing. Waste materials and by-products, however, often have certain chemical properties that differ from conventional raw materials and fuels. Thus, we have researched the overall influence of several minor elements in clinker on the properties of clinker and cement, and we suggest practical measures for Japanese cement manufacturers to take against the unfavorable influence of each minor element. This article introduces our approach and provides representative results and an example of commercialization. We also discuss further challenges in this field as it moves toward rational cement manufacturing.

The Valorisation of Selected Quarry and Mine Waste for Sustainable Cement Production within the Concept of Circular Economy

“…The amounts of ZnO in a raw mixture is essential to ensure the whole incorporation of ZnO into the clinker minerals, thus decreasing the amount of ZnO to transfer to free ZnO. The presence of free ZnO (zincite) could cause serious damage to early hardening, leading to retardation of seating and a decrease of early strength [42]. Mn and Zn improve the burnability of clinker but decreased slightly the grindability of the clinker.…”

“…Mn and Zn improve the burnability of clinker but decreased slightly the grindability of the clinker. During clinkering process, MnO replaces iron thus influencing the clinker and cement properties [42]. Like in OPC, heavy metal ions are more likely dissolved in sulfoaluminate clinker phases [43,44], thus targeted composition of clinker (incorporating 10.43 wt.…”