Efficient removal of phosphate impurities in waste phosphogypsum for the production of cement.

ABSTRACT

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an industry solid waste produced from phosphoric acid manufacture. To reduce environmental pollution of the PG, H2C2O4 was employed to purify it, which then can be used for cement production. The optimal concentration of H2C2O4 for PG purification was determined. In addition, differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) were used to determine the removal of phosphate impurity in PG. The effects of purified PG on cement hydration and the environmental implications were also investigated. The results demonstrate that H2C2O4 can remove the intercrystalline phosphate impurities by destroying the part of the crystal structure of gypsum. With the best treatment concentration of 1% H2C2O4, 77.7% of phosphate impurity (as P2O5) was removed from PG, which subsequently shortened the final setting time down to 220 min and successfully met the national standard (GB 175-1999). Portland cement prepared by the 1% H2C2O4 treated PG possessed a comparable 3d compressive strength of 20.8 MPa and a 28d compressive strength of 44.6 MPa. It is concluded that PG purified by 1% H2C2O4 treatment can be used for cement production. Meanwhile, this H2C2O4 treatment can effectively reduce the environmental pollution from PG and offer a sustainable method for the utilization of PG.