Estimation of possibility and efficiency of using coal gangue from Kizel coal basin as a mineral additive in cement systems

Introduction. The use of mineral additives (MA) for cements and cement-based materials allows not only to give them special properties, but also increases the volume of their production and use, as well as solves the issues of industrial waste utilization. For example, in Perm Krai in the territory of the Kizel coal basin the problem of liquidation of a large amount of coal mining waste (coal gangue) remains unsolved. The aim of the research is to evaluate the possibility and efficiency of using coal gangue as mineral additives in cement systems.

Materials and methods. Portland cement CEM I, self-ignited coal gangue, not ignited coal gangue and also uniform quartz sand were used as raw materials. Not ignited coal gangue was thermal activated at the temperature of 700 °С in muffle furnace during 2 hours. Chemical composition of coal gangue was determined by the fluorescent X-ray spectral method and mineral composition by the method of rapid radiographic quantitative phase analysis. Thermal analysis was conducted by synchronous DSC/TG analysis method. Flexural and compressive strength of cement mortar were determined according to GOST 310.4–81 method.

Results. According to the results of chemical and mineral analysis it was obtained that self-ignited coal gangue is mainly consisted of quartz (65.9 %) that may indicate pozzolanic properties. Whereas not ignited coal gangue mainly consists of kaolinite (41 %) and quartz (28.3 %). The presence of kaolinite, which was also confirmed by endothermic effect on the thermogram, enables to produce active mineral admixture — metakaolinite by thermal activation. It was obtained that flexural and compressive strength of mortar with 10–30 % cement replacement by self-ignited goal gangue is not reduced. Whereas compressive strength of specimens with 20 % cement replacement by thermal activated not ignited coal gangue is increased by 21 %.

Conclusions. The possibility of utilization of Kizel coal gangue as supplementary cementitious material was established by chemical, mineral and thermal analyses.

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