Red Mud from the Aluminium Industry: Production, Characteristics, and Alternative Applications in Construction Materials—A Review

Nathália C. G. Silveira, Maysa L. F. Martins, Augusto C. S. Bezerra and Fernando G. S. Araújo
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Nathália C. G. Silveira: Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil
Maysa L. F. Martins: Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil
Augusto C. S. Bezerra: Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Department of Materials Engineering, Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil
Fernando G. S. Araújo: Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-21

Abstract: About 120 million tons of red mud is produced worldwide each year. Due to its high basicity and potential leaching, its storage is a critical environmental problem. This material is typically stored in dams, which demands prior care of the disposal area and includes monitoring and maintenance throughout its useful life. Consequently, it is crucial to figure out an industrial solution able to consumes large volumes of this material. At this moment, there are several studies, the majority in metallurgical procedures, building materials, and in the chemical industry, discussing how to reuse red mud. This paper provides a review of the aluminium process, including metal importance, its global production, and the environmental impact due to its manufacture process. It presents a review of the potential application of red mud showing its overall generation, some relevant characterisation results collected from the literature, and its utilisation in diverse areas of engineering. The study aimed to highlight applications where red mud characteristics may be favourable.

Keywords: Bayer residue; waste management; red mud; aluminium (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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