Preparation and application of alkali-activated cementitious materials in solidification/stabilization of chromite ore processing residue

Abstract

Chromite ore processing residue (COPR) is a typical hazardous waste, which contains Cr(VI) and poses a great threat to the ecological environment and human health. In this study, solidification/stabilization (S/S) of COPR was carried out by using blast furnace slag (BFS) and fly ash (FA) to prepare alkali-activated cementitious materials (AACM). The influence of different factors (water glass modulus, liquid–solid ratio, alkali–solid content and curing temperature) on compressive strength was investigated by single-factor experiment. Additionally, solidification effect of AACM was determined according to the compressive strength and the leaching concentration of chromium (Cr(VI) and total Cr). According to the optimal conditions of the single-factor experiment, the highest compressive strength of 147.6 MPa was obtained after using the water glass modulus 1.0, liquid–solid ratio 0.28, alkali–solid content 8%, curing temperature 45 °C. The COPR was solidified in the AACM sample having highest compressive strength. The solidified body still has a good mechanical property (38.2 MPa) with 60% addition COPR. According to leaching tests, the leaching of Cr(VI) and total Cr of solidified body with 50% COPR was far lower than the limit value, which met the purpose of construction and landfill disposal. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis proved that heavy metal chromium was solidified in AACM by physical and chemical means.