Utilization of Boiler Slag from Pulverized-Coal-Combustion Power Plants in China for Manufacturing Acoustic Materials

Jing Li, Xinguo Zhuang, Carlos Leiva, Celia Arenas, Ana Cornejo, Xavier Querol, Natalia Moreno, Oriol Font and Constantino Fernández Pereira
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Jing Li: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Xinguo Zhuang: Key Laboratory of Tectonics and Petroleum Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Carlos Leiva: Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Engineering School, University of Seville, E-41092 Seville, Spain
Celia Arenas: Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Engineering School, University of Seville, E-41092 Seville, Spain
Ana Cornejo: Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Engineering School, University of Seville, E-41092 Seville, Spain
Xavier Querol: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Natalia Moreno: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Oriol Font: Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, CSIC, C/Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
Constantino Fernández Pereira: Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Engineering School, University of Seville, E-41092 Seville, Spain

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-11

Abstract: The potential utilization of boiler slag generated in large amounts from pulverized-coal-combustion (PCC) power plants has recently drawn much attention due to the serious problems caused to ecosystems. In order to make maximal use of the boiler slag and reduce the environmental risk it poses, this study focused on manufacturing acoustic materials using boiler slag from Chinese PCC power plants. Three promising acoustic materials were successfully manufactured from up to 80% boiler slag with different grain sizes, with the addition of 20% Portland cement. The density and compressive strength of the products were inversely proportional and the sound absorption coefficient was positively proportional to the grain size of the boiler slag. The best sound absorption coefficient was obtained in products made from the coarsest fraction of the boiler slag (MS-C). Nonetheless, all the boiler-slag-based acoustic products still demonstrated compressive strength and densities comparable to those of other acoustic materials made of Spanish bottom ash or other conventional/recycled materials. The acoustic products made from the coarsest fraction (MS-C) and medium fraction (MS-M) of the boiler slag presented good noise absorption characteristics, like those of the commercial coarse porous cement that is traditionally used as an acoustic product. Furthermore, the acoustic products were characterized by very low leach ability of potentially hazardous elements. Consequently, the manufacture of acoustic materials is a very promising application for boiler slag. On the one hand, it consumes huge amounts of boiler slag that is generated in large amounts in China. On the other hand, the acoustic products can be used extensively to produce road acoustic barriers with a high sound absorption efficiency, no significant physical or mechanical limitations and no environmental implication.

Keywords: acoustic barrier; boiler slag; sound absorption coefficients; leachable potential; PCC power plant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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