Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation Curing
This study explores the potential of utilizing circulating fluidized bed boiler fly ash (CFBFA) in the production of composite gravels, with the aim of achieving performance comparable to natural gravel while promoting sustainability. CFBFA, activated by hydrated lime and gypsum, was investigated fo...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Solids |
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| author | Nuo Xu Yuqing He Rentuoya Sa Nana Wang Yuandong Yang Suxia Ma |
| author_facet | Nuo Xu Yuqing He Rentuoya Sa Nana Wang Yuandong Yang Suxia Ma |
| author_sort | Nuo Xu |
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| description | This study explores the potential of utilizing circulating fluidized bed boiler fly ash (CFBFA) in the production of composite gravels, with the aim of achieving performance comparable to natural gravel while promoting sustainability. CFBFA, activated by hydrated lime and gypsum, was investigated for its pozzolanic reaction and carbonation curing under simulated coal-fired power plant flue gas conditions (80 °C, 0.4 MPa, 15% CO<sub>2</sub>, 85% N<sub>2</sub>). The study focused on optimizing the ratios of gypsum and hydrated lime in CFBFA-based cementitious materials, with the goal of enhancing their mechanical properties and understanding the underlying hydration and carbonation mechanisms. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the mineral composition and microstructure of the composite gravels. The results revealed that the optimal gypsum-to-hydrated lime ratio for CFBFA composite gravels is 2:1, achieving a compressive strength of 9.01 MPa after 28 days of carbonation curing. Carbonation curing accelerated hydration, improving the material’s strength, stability, and microstructure. Additionally, the production of CFBFA composite gravels demonstrated significant environmental benefits, reducing Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) by 86.52% and Global Warming Potential (GWP) by 87.81% compared to cement road base materials. This research underscores the potential of CFBFA as a sustainable construction material, with insights into improving its mechanical performance and expanding its large-scale use through carbonation curing with flue gas. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-6497 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| series | Solids |
| spelling | doaj-art-e3660a39b1254fd9b9b5fbf88a8e05ca2025-08-20T03:44:05ZengMDPI AGSolids2673-64972025-02-0161910.3390/solids6010009Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation CuringNuo Xu0Yuqing He1Rentuoya Sa2Nana Wang3Yuandong Yang4Suxia Ma5Shanxi Province Key Laboratory of Clean & High Efficient Combustion and Utilization of Circulating Fluidized Bed, Taiyuan University of Technology, 79 Yingze West Street, Taiyuan 030024, ChinaShanxi Province Key Laboratory of Clean & High Efficient Combustion and Utilization of Circulating Fluidized Bed, Taiyuan University of Technology, 79 Yingze West Street, Taiyuan 030024, ChinaShanxi Province Key Laboratory of Clean & High Efficient Combustion and Utilization of Circulating Fluidized Bed, Taiyuan University of Technology, 79 Yingze West Street, Taiyuan 030024, ChinaShanxi Province Key Laboratory of Clean & High Efficient Combustion and Utilization of Circulating Fluidized Bed, Taiyuan University of Technology, 79 Yingze West Street, Taiyuan 030024, ChinaInstitute of Thermal Science and Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, ChinaShanxi Province Key Laboratory of Clean & High Efficient Combustion and Utilization of Circulating Fluidized Bed, Taiyuan University of Technology, 79 Yingze West Street, Taiyuan 030024, ChinaThis study explores the potential of utilizing circulating fluidized bed boiler fly ash (CFBFA) in the production of composite gravels, with the aim of achieving performance comparable to natural gravel while promoting sustainability. CFBFA, activated by hydrated lime and gypsum, was investigated for its pozzolanic reaction and carbonation curing under simulated coal-fired power plant flue gas conditions (80 °C, 0.4 MPa, 15% CO<sub>2</sub>, 85% N<sub>2</sub>). The study focused on optimizing the ratios of gypsum and hydrated lime in CFBFA-based cementitious materials, with the goal of enhancing their mechanical properties and understanding the underlying hydration and carbonation mechanisms. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the mineral composition and microstructure of the composite gravels. The results revealed that the optimal gypsum-to-hydrated lime ratio for CFBFA composite gravels is 2:1, achieving a compressive strength of 9.01 MPa after 28 days of carbonation curing. Carbonation curing accelerated hydration, improving the material’s strength, stability, and microstructure. Additionally, the production of CFBFA composite gravels demonstrated significant environmental benefits, reducing Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) by 86.52% and Global Warming Potential (GWP) by 87.81% compared to cement road base materials. This research underscores the potential of CFBFA as a sustainable construction material, with insights into improving its mechanical performance and expanding its large-scale use through carbonation curing with flue gas.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6497/6/1/9circulating fluidized bed boiler fly ashCFBFA composite gravelscarbonation curingmechanical propertiescumulative energy demandglobal warming potential |
| spellingShingle | Nuo Xu Yuqing He Rentuoya Sa Nana Wang Yuandong Yang Suxia Ma Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation Curing Solids circulating fluidized bed boiler fly ash CFBFA composite gravels carbonation curing mechanical properties cumulative energy demand global warming potential |
| title | Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation Curing |
| title_full | Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation Curing |
| title_fullStr | Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation Curing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation Curing |
| title_short | Optimizing Mechanical Properties and Environmental Benefits of CFBFA Composite Gravels Through Gypsum, Hydrated Lime Addition, and CO<sub>2</sub> Carbonation Curing |
| title_sort | optimizing mechanical properties and environmental benefits of cfbfa composite gravels through gypsum hydrated lime addition and co sub 2 sub carbonation curing |
| topic | circulating fluidized bed boiler fly ash CFBFA composite gravels carbonation curing mechanical properties cumulative energy demand global warming potential |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6497/6/1/9 |
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