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Using industrial and mining wastes as raw materials to produce light aggregates

Abstract:

Industrial processes do not get full efficiency and this means that a considerable amount of wastes without economical aim and which will finish in rubbish dumps, hence promoting a large environmental impact. Modern society steer itself, towards getting a sustainable development which minimize the production of these wastes, which are also increasing its economical, environmental and social costs. This fact compels to search solutions which could avoid the generation of this kind of wastes and to get value from the wastes via the adequate process. Particularly, the production of construction and building materials have valued multitude of industrial wastes, as is usual in the cement and aggregates industry or in glass and ceramics production using slags or flying ash. This topic is also considered in new materials production, as for example light aggregates. The light aggregate is a material which mineral origin is physically and chemically neutral; it does not give nor gas neither bad smells off and cannot be attacked by fungus parasites or rodents. It is not affected by chemical substances, and with good behavior to thermal changes or low temperatures. Its geometry is almost spherical and it could have different sizes. Its outer aspect is smooth and reasonably waterproof, with a foam-like inner configuration, full of little cells. The structural and architectural advantages are obvious. The formulation in the production to this kind of materials allows the use of different kinds of industrial and urban wastes. The present work reviews the diversity of wastes that can be used for light aggregates production, focusing mainly on the mining wastes, particularly from coal, taking into account not only the aggregate mineral formulation, but the manufacturing process due to the important energetic contribution which can be given by this kind of wastes.