Using cemented paste backfill to tackle the phosphogypsum stockpile in China:A down-to-earth technology with new vitalities in pollutant retention and CO_(2) abatement

Phosphogypsum(PG),a hard-to-dissipate by-product of the phosphorus fertilizer production industry,places strain on the biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions of storage sites.This pervasive problem is already widespread worldwide and requires careful stewardship.In this study,we review the presence of potentially toxic elements(PTEs)in PG and describe their associations with soil properties,anthropogenic activities,and surrounding organisms.Then,we review different ex-/in-situ solutions for promoting the sustainable management of PG,with an emphasis on in-situ cemented paste backfill,which offers a cost-effective and highly scalable opportunity to advance the value-added recovery of PG.However,concerns related to the PTEs'retention capacity and long-term effectiveness limit the implementation of this strategy.Furthermore,given that the large-scale demand for ordinary Portland cement from this conventional option has resulted in significant CO_(2) emissions,the technology has recently undergone additional scrutiny to meet the climate mitigation ambition of the Paris Agreement and China's Carbon Neutrality Economy.Therefore,we discuss the ways by which we can integrate innovative strategies,including supplementary cementitious materials,alternative binder solutions,CO_(2) mineralization,CO_(2) curing,and optimization of the supply chain for the profitability and sustainability of PG remediation.However,to maximize the co-benefits in environmental,social,and economic,future research must bridge the gap between the feasibility of expanding these advanced pathways and the multidisciplinary needs.

Mechanical properties and damage evolution characteristics of waste tire steel fiber-modified cemented paste backfill

During the process of constructional backfill mining,the cemented paste backfill(CPB)typically exhibits a high degree of brittleness and limited resistance to failure.In this study,the mechanical and damage evolution characteristics of waste tire steel fiber(WTSF)-modified CPB were studied through uniaxial compression tests,acoustic emission(AE)tests,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The results showed that the uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)decreased when the WTSF content was 0.5%,1%,and 1.5%.When the WTSF content reached 1%,the UCS of the modified CPB exhibited a minimal decrease(0.37 MPa)compared to that without WTSF.When the WTSF content was 0.5%,1%,and 1.5%,peak strain of the WTSF-modified CPB increased by 18%,31.33%,and 81.33%,while the elastic modulus decreased by 21.31%,26.21%,and 45.42%,respectively.The addition of WTSF enhances the activity of AE events in the modified CPB,resulting in a slower progression of the entire failure process.After the failure,the modified CPB retained a certain level of load-bearing capacity.Generally,the failure of the CPB was dominated by tensile cracks.After the addition of WTSF,a gradual increase in the proportion of tensile cracks was observed upon loading the modified CPB sample to the pore compaction stage.The three-dimensional localization of AE events showed that the WTSF-modified CPB underwent progressive damage during the loading,and the samples still showed good integrity after failure.Additionally,the response relationship between energy evolution and damage development of WTSF-modified CPB during uniaxial compression was analyzed,and the damage constitutive model of CPB samples with different WTSF contents was constructed.This study provides a theoretical basis for the enhancement of CPB modified by adding WTSF,serving as a valuable reference for the design of CPB constructional backfill.

Recycling arsenic-containing bio-leaching residue after thermal treatment in cemented paste backfill:Structure modification,binder properties and environmental assessment

The substantial arsenic(As)content present in arsenic-containing bio-leaching residue(ABR)presents noteworthy environ-mental challenges attributable to its inherent instability and susceptibility to leaching.Given its elevated calcium sulfate content,ABR exhibits considerable promise for industrial applications.This study delved into the feasibility of utilizing ABR as a source of sulfates for producing super sulfated cement(SSC),offering an innovative binder for cemented paste backfill(CPB).Thermal treatment at varying temperatures of 150,350,600,and 800℃ was employed to modify ABR’s performance.The investigation encompassed the examination of phase transformations and alterations in the chemical composition of As within ABR.Subsequently,the hydration characteristics of SSC utilizing ABR,with or without thermal treatment,were studied,encompassing reaction kinetics,setting time,strength development,and microstructure.The findings revealed that thermal treatment changed the calcium sulfate structure in ABR,consequently impacting the resultant sample performance.Notably,calcination at 600℃ demonstrated optimal modification effects on both early and long-term strength attributes.This enhanced performance can be attributed to the augmented formation of reaction products and a densified micro-structure.Furthermore,the thermal treatment elicited modifications in the chemical As fractions within ABR,with limited impact on the As immobilization capacity of the prepared binders.

Particle aggregation and breakage kinetics in cemented paste backfill

The macroscopic flow behavior and rheological properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB)are highly impacted by the inherent structure of the paste matrix.In this study,the effects of shear-induced forces and proportioning parameters on the microstructure of fresh CPB were studied.The size evolution and distribution of floc/agglomerate/particles of paste were monitored by focused beam reflection measuring(FBRM)technique,and the influencing factors of aggregation and breakage kinetics of CPB were discussed.The results indicate that influenced by both internal and external factors,the paste kinetics evolution covers the dynamic phase and the stable phase.Increasing the mass content or the cement-tailings ratio can accelerate aggregation kinetics,which is advantageous for the rise of average floc size.Besides,the admixture and high shear can improve breaking kinetics,which is beneficial to reduce the average floc size.The chord length resembles a normal distribution somewhat,with a peak value of approximate 20μm.The particle disaggregation con-stant(k_(2))is positively correlated with the agitation rate,and k_(2) is five orders of magnitude greater than the particle aggregation constant(k1).The kinetics model depicts the evolution law of particles over time quantitatively and provides a theoretical foundation for the micromechanics of complicated rheological behavior of paste.

Experimental research and numerical simulation of the multi-field performance of cemented paste backfill:Review and future perspectives

Cemented paste backfill(CPB)technology is a green mining method used to control underground goaves and tailings ponds.The curing process of CPB in the stope is the product of a thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical multi-field performance interaction.At present,research on the multi-field performance of CPB mainly includes indoor similar simulation experiments,in-situ multi-field performance monitoring experiments,multi-field performance coupling model construction of CPB,and numerical simulation of the multi-field performance of CPB.Because it is hard to study the in-situ multi-field performance of CPB in the real stope,most current research on in-situ multi-field performance adopts the numerical simulation method.By simulating the conditions of CPB in the real stope(e.g.,maintenance environment,stope geometry,drainage conditions,and barricade and backfilling rates),the multi-field performance of CPB is further studied.This paper summarizes the mathematical models employed in the numerical simulation and lists the engineering application cases of numerical simulation in the in-situ multi-field performance of CPB.Finally,it proposes that the multi-field performance of CPB needs to strengthen the theoretical study of multi-field performance,form the strength design criterion based on the multi-field performance of CPB,perform a full-range numerical simulation of the multi-field performance of CPB,develop a pre-warning technology for the CPB safety of CPB,develop automatic and wireless sensors for the multi-field performance monitoring of CPB,and realize the application and popularization of CPB monitoring technology.

Systematic review of mixing technology for recycling waste tailings as cemented paste backfill in mines in China

The development of industry is inseparable from the support of mining.However,mining processes consume a large amount of energy,and increased tailing emissions can have a significant impact on the environment.In the past few decades,the mining industry developed many technologies that are related to mineral energy management,of which cemented paste backfill(CPB)is one of the representative technologies.CPB has been successfully applied to mine ground control and tailings management.In CPB technology,the mixing process is the key to achieving materials with good final quality and controlled properties.However,in the preparation process,the mixed homogeneity of the CPB is difficult to achieve because of fine tailings,high solid volume fraction,and high viscosity.Most research focused on the effect of mixing ingredients on CPB properties rather than on the preparation process of the CPB.Therefore,improving the performance and reducing the production cost of CPB by optimizing the mixing process are important.This review summarizes the current studies on the mixing technology of CPB and its application status in China.Then,it compares the advantages and disadvantages of multiple mixing equipment and discusses the latest results and research hotspots in paste preparation.Finally,it concludes the challenges and development trends of mixing technology on the basis of the relevant application cases in China to promoting cement-based material mixing technology development.

Rheological properties of a multiscale granular system during mixing of cemented paste backfill:A review

The technology of cemented paste backfill(CPB)is an effective method for green mining.In CPB,mixing is a vital process aiming to prepare a paste that meets the non-stratification,non-segregation,and non-bleeding requirements.As a multiscale granular system,homogenization is one of the challenges in the paste-mixing process.Due to the high shearing,high concentration,and multiscale characteristics,paste exhibits complex rheological properties in the mixing process.An overview of the mesomechanics and structural evolution is presented in this review.The effects of various influencing factors on the paste's rheological properties were investigated,and the rheological models of the paste were outlined from the macroscopic and mesoscopic levels.The results show that the mechanical effects and structural evolution are the fundamental factors affecting the rheological properties of the paste.Existing problems and future development trends are presented to change the practice where the CPB process comes first and the theory lags.

Wall slip behavior of cemented paste backfill slurry during pipeline based on noncontact experimental detection

Wall slip is a microscopic phenomenon of cemented paste backfill(CPB)slurry near the pipe wall,which has an important influence on the form of slurry pipe transport flow and velocity distribution.Directly probing the wall slip characteristics using conventional experimental methods is difficult.Therefore,this paper established a noncontact experimental platform for monitoring the microscopic slip layer of CPB pipeline transport independently based on particle image velocimetry(PIV)and analyzed the effects of slurry temperature,pipe diameter,solid concentration,and slurry flow on the wall slip velocity of the CPB slurry,which refined the theory of the effect of wall slip characteristics on pipeline transport.The results showed that the CPB slurry had an extensive slip layer at the pipe wall with significant wall slip.High slurry temperature improved the degree of particle Brownian motion within the slurry and enhanced the wall slip effect.Increasing the pipe diameter was not conducive to the formation of the slurry slip layer and led to a transition in the CPB slurry flow pattern.The increase in the solid concentration raised the interlayer shear effect of CPB slurry flow and the slip velocity.The slip velocity value increased from 0.025 to 0.056 m·s^(-1)when the solid content improved from 55wt%to 65wt%.When slurry flow increased,the CPB slurry flocculation structure changed,which affected the slip velocity,and the best effect of slip layer resistance reduction was achieved when the transported flow rate was 1.01 m^(3)·h^(-1).The results had important theoretical significance for improving the stability and economy of the CPB slurry in the pipeline.

Experimental study on thermal and mechanical properties of tailings-based cemented paste backfill with CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O/expanded vermiculite shape stabilized phase change materials

CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O/expanded vermiculite shape stabilized phase change materials(CEV)was prepared by atmospheric impregnation method.Using gold mine tailings as aggregate of cemented paste backfill(CPB)material,the CPB with CEV added was prepared,and the specific heat capacity,thermal conductivity,and uniaxial compressive strength(UCS)of CPB with different cement-tailing ratios and CEV addition ratios were tested,the influence of the above variables on the thermal and mechanical properties of CPB was analyzed.The results show that the maximum encapsulation capacity of expanded vermiculite for CaCl_(2)·6H_(2)O is about 60%,and the melting and solidification enthalpies of CEV can reach 98.87 J/g and 97.56 J/g,respectively.For the CPB without CEV,the specific heat capacity,thermal conductivity,and UCS decrease with the decrease of cement-tailing ratio.For the CPB with CEV added,with the increase of CEV addition ratio,the specific heat capacity increases significantly,and the sensible heat storage capacity and latent heat storage capacity can be increased by at least 10.74%and 218.97%respectively after adding 12%CEV.However,the addition of CEV leads to the increase of pores,and the thermal conductivity and UCS both decrease with the increase of CEV addition.When cement-tailing ratio is 1:8 and 6%,9%,and 12%of CEV are added,the 28-days UCS of CPB is less than 1 MPa.Considering the heat storage capacity and cost price of backfill,the recommended proportion scheme of CPB material presents cement-tailing ratio of 1:6 and 12%CEV,and the most recommended heat storage/release temperature cycle range of CPB with added CEV is from 20 to 40℃.This work can provide theoretical basis for the utilization of heat storage backfill in green mines.

Experiment on acoustic emission response and damage evolution characteristics of polymer-modified cemented paste backfill under uniaxial compression

The mechanical properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB)determine its control effect on the goaf roof.In this study,the mechanical strength of polymer-modified cemented paste backfill(PCPB)samples was tested by uniaxial compression tests,and the failure characteristics of PCPB under the compression were analyzed.Besides,acoustic emission(AE)technology was used to monitor and record the cracking process of the PCPB sample with a curing age of 28 d,and two AE indexes(rise angle and average frequency)were used to classify the failure modes of samples under different loading processes.The results show that waterborne epoxy resin can significantly enhance the mechanical strength of PCPB samples(when the mass ratio of polymer to powder material is 0.30,the strength of PCPB samples with a curing age of 28 d is increased by 102.6%);with the increase of polymer content,the mechanical strength of PCPB samples is improved significantly in the early and middle period of curing.Under uniaxial load,the macro cracks of PCPB samples are mostly generated along the axial direction,the main crack runs through the sample,and a large number of small cracks are distributed around the main crack.The AE response of PCPB samples during the whole loading process can be divided into four periods:quiet period,slow growth period,rapid growth period,and remission period,corresponding to the micro-pore compaction stage,elastic deformation stage,plastic deformation stage,and failure instability stage of the stress-strain curve.The AE events are mainly concentrated in the plastic deformation stage;both shear failure and tensile failure occur in the above four stages,while tensile failure is dominant for PCPB samples.This study provides a reference for the safety of coal pillar recovery in pillar goaf.

A machine learning model to predict unconfined compressive strength of alkali-activated slag-based cemented paste backfill

The unconfined compressive strength(UCS)of alkali-activated slag(AAS)-based cemented paste backfill(CPB)is influenced by multiple design parameters.However,the experimental methods are limited to understanding the relationships between a single design parameter and the UCS,independently of each other.Although machine learning(ML)methods have proven efficient in understanding relationships between multiple parameters and the UCS of ordinary Portland cement(OPC)-based CPB,there is a lack of ML research on AAS-based CPB.In this study,two ensemble ML methods,comprising gradient boosting regression(GBR)and random forest(RF),were built on a dataset collected from literature alongside two other single ML methods,support vector regression(SVR)and artificial neural network(ANN).The results revealed that the ensemble learning methods outperformed the single learning methods in predicting the UCS of AAS-based CPB.Relative importance analysis based on the bestperforming model(GBR)indicated that curing time and water-to-binder ratio were the most critical input parameters in the model.Finally,the GBR model with the highest accuracy was proposed for the UCS predictions of AAS-based CPB.

Rheological and physicomechanical properties of rod milling sand-based cemented paste backfill modified by sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde condensate

Rod milling sand(RMS)—a coarse sand aggregate—was recycled for cemented paste backfill(CPB)for the underground mined area at the Jinchuan nickel deposit,named rod milling sand-based cemented paste backfill(RCPB).The adverse effects of coarse particles on the transportation of CPB slurry through pipelines to underground stopes resulting in weakening of the stability of the backfill system are well known.Therefore,sulfonated naphthalene formaldehyde(SNF)condensate was used for the performance improvement of RCPB.The synergistic effect of solid content(SC),lime-to-sand ratio,and SNF dosage on the rheological and physicomechanical properties,including slump,yield stress,bleeding rate,uniaxial compressive strength(UCS),as well as mechanism analysis of RCPB,have been explored.The results indicate that the effect of SNF on RCPB performance is related to the SNF dosage,lime-to-sand ratio,and SC.The slump of fresh RCPB with 0.1wt%-0.5wt%SNF increased by 2.6%-26.2%,whereas the yield stress reduced by 4.1%-50.3%,indicating better workability and improved cohesiveness of the mix.The bleeding rate of fresh RCPB decreased first and then rose with the increase of SNF dosage,and the peak decrease was 67.67%.UCS of RCPB first increased and then decreased with the increase of SNF dosage.At the optimal SNF addition ratio of 0.3wt%,the UCS of RCPB curing for 7,14 and,28 d ages increased by 31.5%,28.4%,and 29.5%,respectively.The beneficial effects of SNF in enhancing the early UCS of RCPB have been corroborated.However,the later UCS increases at a slower rate.The research findings may guide the design and preparation of RCPB with adequate performance for practical applications.

Strength evolution and deformation behaviour of cemented paste backfill at early ages： Effect of curing stress, filling strategy and drainage

In this study, a pressure cell apparatus is developed to investigate the early age evolution of the strength and deformation behaviour of cemented paste backfill(CPB) when subjected to various loading conditions under different curing scenarios. The different curing scenarios that are simulated include:(1)drained and undrained conditions,(2) different filling rates,(3) different filling sequences, and(4) different curing stresses. The findings show that drainage, curing stress, curing time and filling rate influence the mechanical and deformation behaviours of CPB materials. The coupled effects of consolidation, drainage and suction contribute to the strength development of drained CPB subjected to curing stress. On the other hand, particle rearrangement caused by the applied pressure and suction development due to self-desiccation plays a significant role in the strength gain of undrained CPB cured under stress.Furthermore, curing stress induces slightly faster rate of cement hydration, which can contribute to strength acquisition.

Effects of temperatures and pH values on rheological properties of cemented paste backfill

In this study,different influence mechanisms associated with temperatures and pH values were investigated through cemented paste backfill(CPB)systems.CPB samples were prepared with temperatures ranging from 10 to 50℃ in 10℃ increments and pH values of 3,7,and 13.Then,the CPB mixture were subjected to rheological tests,thermogravimetric analysis(TG),derivative thermogravimetry analysis(DTG),Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).Results demonstrated that the temperatures had significant effects on the rheological properties of CPB,whereas the effects of pH values were relatively unapparent.Higher temperatures(over 20℃)were prone to bring higher shear stress,yield stress,and apparent viscosity with the same pH value condition.However,an overly high temperature(50℃)cannot raise the apparent viscosity.Non-neutral conditions,for pH values of 3 and 13,could strengthen the shear stress and apparent viscosity at the same temperature.Two different yield stress curves could be discovered by uprising pH values,which also led to apparent viscosity of two various curves under the same temperatures(under 50℃).Microscopically,rheological properties of CPB were affected by temperatures and pH values which enhanced or reduced the cement hydration procedures,rates,products and space structures.

Quantitative investigation on micro-parameters of cemented paste backfill and its sensitivity analysis

The mechanical properties of cemented paste backfill(CPB) depend heavily on its pore structural characteristics and micro-structural changes. In order to explore the variation mechanisms of macro-mechanical characteristics and micro-structure of CPB. CPB specimens with different mass concentrations prepared from the full tailings of Xianglushan Tungsten Ore were micro-tests. Moreover, acquired pore digital images were processed by using the pores(particles) and cracks analysis system(PCAS), and a sensitivity analysis was performed. The results show that as the mass concentration of CPB increases from 70% to 78%, the porosity, the average pore area and the number of pores drop overall, leading to a decline in the pores opening degree and enhancing the mechanical characteristics. As the mass concentration of CPB increases, the trend of fractal dimension, probability entropy and roundness is reduced, constant and increased, which can result in an enhancement of the uniformity, an unchanged directionality and more round pores. According to the definition of sensitivity, the sensitivities of various micro-parameters were calculated and can be ranked as porosity > average pore area > number of pores > roundness > fractal dimension > probability entropy.

Effect of curing humidity on performance of cemented paste backfill

Cemented paste backfill(CPB),a mixture of tailings,binder,and water,is widely and extensively used for the recovery of mineral resources,the prevention of ground subsidence,and the management of mine waste.When installed,the CPB is subjected to complex environmental conditions such as water content,temperature,and power,which have a significant impact on its efficiency.Thus,this study conducts a series of laboratory programs,including investigation of moisture,temperature,stress–strain relation,and microstructure to show the effect of curing humidity on the CPB behaviors.The results obtained indicate that ambient humidity can have a dramatic effect on CPB in terms of its macro performance of internal relative humidity,temperature and strength,as well as the micro expression.Typical examples of these effects on CPB include an increase in curing humidity,which favors binder hydration,and then an increase in hydration materials,temperature and peak stress in the CPB.The results obtained will lead to a better understanding of CPB’s responses to various environmental conditions.

Investigation of the short-term stress distribution in stopes and drifts backfilled with cemented paste backfill

Cemented paste backfill(CPB) is largely used in underground mines worldwide.A key issue associated with application of CPB is to estimate the stresses in backfilled stopes and on barricades.Recent numerical and experimental results show that arching effect is absent shortly after the placement of CPB in stopes.However,stress decreases in barricade drift with increasing distance between the measurement points and drawpoint have also been observed,demonstrating arching effect shortly after the pouring of CPB.To explain these paradoxes,CPB is considered as Bingham fluid having a yield shear stress.Three dimensional analytical solutions are proposed to evaluate the short-term total stresses in backfilled stopes and on barricades,accounting for the CPB's yield shear stress-induced arching effect.Stress diminution due to such arching effect in the backfilled stopes and on barricades is indeed obtained.But the reduction becomes insignificant using typical yield shear stress and stope geometry.More analyses indicate that the typical yield shear stress values do not fully correspond to field conditions where the yield shear stress would increase exponentially due to apparent consolidation(loss of water by drainage,a phenomenon similar to the desiccation of overly saturated fine-grained materials).

Artificial intelligence model for studying unconfined compressive performance of fiber-reinforced cemented paste backfill

To reduce the difficulty of obtaining the unconfined compressive strength(UCS) value of fiber-reinforced cemented paste backfill(CPB) and analyze the comprehensive impact of conventional and fiber variables on the compressive property, a new artificial intelligence model was proposed by combining a newly invented meta-heuristics algorithm(salp swarm algorithm, SSA) and extreme learning machine(ELM) technology. Aiming to test the reliability of that model, 720 UCS tests with different cement-to-tailing mass ratio, solid mass concentration, fiber content, fiber length, and curing time were carried out, and a strength evaluation database was collected. The obtained results show that the optimized SSA-ELM model can accurately predict the uniaxial compressive strength of the fiber-reinforced CPB, and the model performance of SSA-ELM model is better than ANN, SVR and ELM models. Variable sensitivity analysis indicates that fiber content and fiber length have a significant effect on the UCS of fiber-reinforced CPB.

High strain rate compressive strength behavior of cemented paste backfill using split Hopkinson pressure bar

The stability of cemented paste backfill(CPB)is threatened by dynamic disturbance,but the conventional low strain rate laboratory pressure test has difficulty achieving this research purpose.Therefore,a split Hopkinson pressure bar(SHPB)was utilized to investigate the high strain rate compressive behavior of CPB with dynamic loads of 0.4,0.8,and 1.2 MPa.And the failure modes were determined by macro and micro analysis.CPB with different cement-to-tailings ratios,solid mass concentrations,and curing ages was prepared to conduct the SHPB test.The results showed that increasing the cement content,tailings content,and curing age can improve the dynamic compressive strength and elastic modulus.Under an impact load,a higher strain rate can lead to larger increasing times of the dynamic compressive strength when compared with static loading.And the dynamic compressive strength of CPB has an exponential correlation with the strain rate.The macroscopic failure modes indicated that CPB is more seriously damaged under dynamic loading.The local damage was enhanced,and fine cracks were formed in the interior of the CPB.This is because the CPB cannot dissipate the energy of the high strain rate stress wave in a short loading period.

Evaluation of time-dependent rheological properties of cemented paste backfill incorporating superplasticizer with special focus on thixotropy and static yield stress

Superplasticizers are widely used to reduce the pipe flow resistance of cemented paste backfill(CPB), which is characterised by high concentration and high yield stress. This study aimed to assess the time-dependent rheological properties of CPB containing superplasticizer, with special focus on static yield stress and thixotropy. The results indicate that with the increase of the superplasticizer dosage, the static yield stress, dynamic yield stress and thixotropy of CPB decreased significantly, while the plastic viscosity decreased slightly. The curing time has a significant effect on the static yield stress, dynamic yield stress and thixotropy of CPB containing superplasticizer, which increase by 46.6%-87.1%,15.2%-35.6% and 79.4%-138.2%, respectively, within 2 h. The static yield stress, dynamic yield stress and thixotropy of CPB without superplasticizer only increase by 4.9%, 6.3% and 16.1%, respectively, within 2 h. The curing time has a significant influence on the plastic viscosity of CPB regardless of superplasticizer addition, the plastic viscosity increases by 13.2%-19.7% within 2 h. Regardless of superplasticizer dosage, plotting of both static yield stress and dynamic yield stress versus thixotropy produces clearly linear curves. The findings of this study are conducive to the design of pipe transportation of CPB containing superplasticizer.