The Effect of Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) on Improving Characteristics of Conventional Concrete

Abstract

The steel industry is one of the key industries and its use is inevitable in many industries including construction. In addition to steel, this industry produces massive amounts of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) that is classified as hazardous waste. Using this material as an admixture can improve the characteristics of concrete, neutralize potential risks and be beneficial to the circular economy. Considering the differences in EAFD between different steel companies, which in turn is caused by the type and percentage of input materials, the optimal percentage and specific application of EAFD from steel companies of each region is unique. In the present study, samples from 11 different sources of EAFD in Khuzestan Steel Company (KSC) were collected. Then, they were classified into three groups depending on the size and origin (fine and coarse, both obtained by filtering those particle sizes directly from furnaces, and a third class obtained in the interior of the steelmaking site close to material handling (MH) belt conveyors) based on their physical and chemical characteristics. To test the effect of EADF as an admixture, several conventional concrete samples were prepared by replacing 0% (control), 2%, 5% and 8% of cement with each EAFD group. Finally, the resulting material was characterized through several tests, namely: (i) compressive strength test at 7, 28 and 90 days, (ii) depth of water penetration under pressure test and (iii) electrical indication of concrete’s ability to resist chloride ion penetration. The result shows that replacing 2% of the cement with MH caused the largest improvement in compressive strength of 7 day concrete, but also showed negative effect on water penetration, while coarse had a negative effect in almost all tests except in the chloride ion penetration test. The best results were obtained by replacing with 2% of cement with fine EAFD, showing significant improvements in all tests, as well as in the observed trend of increasing compressive strength over time.

Eco-Friendly Sustainable Concrete and Mortar Using Coal Dust Waste

“…And the water absorption of concrete decreased by 9.7%, and for mortar it decreased by 9.3%. This is in good agreement with the works of a number of authors, in particular with the works [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] devoted to the processes of structure formation of concrete composites using coal dust and the works of the authors [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] devoted to the physical and mechanical characteristics of concrete modified with coal dust. Based on the results of XRD analysis of concrete of the control composition, the phases of portlandite, illite, anorite, calcite and quartz were identified.…”

“…It should be noted that, based on the results of the literature review, no studies were found on the use of coal dust with a similar chemical composition as a partial replacement for binders in the technology of cement composites. However, there are a number of studies [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] where the use of inert mineral additives, namely, clay, metakaolin, electric arc furnace dust, stone dust and finely ground sea shell powders, as a partial replacement for cement allows in rational amounts the improvement of the physical and mechanical characteristics of the composite and at the same time an increase in its environmental friendliness. The optimal percentages for replacing part of the cement with these types of additives varied from 2% to 20%, while improvements in the strength characteristics, water absorption and porosity of experimental cement composites were observed.…”

“…It should be noted that, based on the results of the literature review, no studies were found on the use of coal dust with a similar chemical composition as a partial replacement for binders in the technology of cement composites. However, there are a number of studies [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] where the use of inert mineral additives, namely, clay, metakaolin, electric arc furnace dust, stone dust and finely ground sea shell powders, as a partial replacement for cement allows in rational The use of coal dust of similar origin in the study [8] in small quantities-up to 2.5 wt.% of ordinary Portland cement-made it possible to improve the mechanical strength of cement composites by reducing open porosity and increased formation of hydration products compared to the reference ones. The prospect of the effective use of coal dust in appropriate, rationally selected quantities in the production of concrete was noted [8].…”

“…In studies [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28], the use of various types of dust was investigated. The use of electric arc furnace dust in [20] when replacing part of the cement in an amount of 2% helped to improve the strength characteristics.…”

“…In studies [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28], the use of various types of dust was investigated. The use of electric arc furnace dust in [20] when replacing part of the cement in an amount of 2% helped to improve the strength characteristics. In the study [21], the most effective concrete compositions were obtained by replacing part of the cement with freshly homogenized electric arc furnace dust in an amount of 4%.…”