A Thermodynamics-Based Approach for Examining the Suitability of Cementitious Formulations for Solidifying and Stabilizing Coal-Combustion Wastes
Abstract
Cementitious binders are often used to immobilize industrial wastes such as residues of coal combustion. Such immobilization stabilizes wastes that contain contaminants by chemical containment, i.e., by uptake of contaminants into the cementitious reaction products. Expectedly, the release ("leachability") of contaminants is linked to: (i) the stability of the matrix (i.e., its resistance to decomposition on exposure to water), and, (ii) its porosity, which offers a pathway for the intrusion of water and egress of contaminant species. To examine the effects of the matrix chemistry on its suitability for immobilization, an equilibrium thermodynamics-based approach is demonstrated for cementitious formulations based on: ordinary portland cement (OPC), calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and alkali activated fly ash (AFA) binding agents. First, special focus is placed on computing the equilibrium phase assemblages using the bulk reactant compositions as an input. Second, the matrix's stability is assessed by simulating leaching that is controlled by progressive dissolution and precipitation of solids across a range of liquid (leachant)-to-(reaction product) solid (l/s) ratios and leachant pH's; e.g., following the LEAF 1313 and 1316 protocols. The performance of each binding formulation is evaluated based on the: (i) relative ability of the reaction products to chemically bind the contaminant(s), (ii) porosity of the matrix which correlates to its hydraulic conductivity, and, (iii) the extent of matrix degradation that follows leaching and which impact the rate and extent of release of potential contaminants. In this manner, the approach enables rapid, parametric assessment of a wide-range of stabilization solutions with due consideration of the matrix's mineralogy, porosity, and the leaching (exposure) conditions.
Recommended Citation
M. U. Okoronkwo et al., "A Thermodynamics-Based Approach for Examining the Suitability of Cementitious Formulations for Solidifying and Stabilizing Coal-Combustion Wastes," Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 217, pp. 278 - 287, Academic Press, Jul 2018.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.02.095
Department(s)
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Cement; Immobilization; Solidification/stabilization; Thermodynamics; Wastes
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0301-4797
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2018 Academic Press, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jul 2018
Comments
The authors acknowledge financial support for this research from The Environmental Research and Education Foundation, National Science Foundation (CMMI: 1401533), and, University of California, Los Angeles. This research was conducted in the Laboratory for the Chemistry of Construction Materials (LC2).