Solid State Reaction Yielding a Mineral Utilizing Silica Obtained from an Agricultural Waste

Wollastonite, a mineral of wide industrial applications was synthesised from rice husk ash silica and limestone. A number of raw batches consisting of these starting materials, in 1:1 molar ratio, were heat treated to produce it through solid state reaction from 900℃ to 1300℃. The conducted reaction was monitored by XRD step by step. Amount of Wollastonite formed at every temperature was also studied to some extent. Analyses of the obtained data indicated that the target mineral formation was quite effective and almost proportional to a rise in temperature up to 1200℃. The results from both, XRD and chemical analysis were found in fair agreement with one another

An efficient methodology for utilization of K-feldspar and phosphogypsum with reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions

The issues of reducing CO_2 emissions, sustainably utilizing natural mineral resources, and dealing with industrial waste offer challenges for sustainable development in energy and the environment. We propose an efficient methodology via the co-reaction of K-feldspar and phosphogypsum for the extraction of soluble potassium salts and recovery of SO_2 with reduced CO_2 emission and energy consumption. The results of characterization and reactivity evaluation indicated that the partial melting of K-feldspar and phosphogypsum in the hightemperature co-reaction significantly facilitated the reduction of phosphogypsum to SO_2 and the exchange of K^+(K-feldspar) with Ca^(2+)(CaSO_4 in phosphogypsum). The reaction parameters were systematically investigated with the highest sulfur recovery ratio of ~ 60% and K extraction ratio of ~ 87.7%. This novel methodology possesses an energy consumption reduction of ~ 28% and CO_2 emission reduction of ~ 55% comparing with the present typical commercial technologies for utilization of K-feldspar and the treatment of phosphogypsum.

Indo-norwegian Initiative for Enhanced Use of Mineral Waste in Indian Cement and Concrete Industry

The industry-oriented-bilateral project ( "Environmental friendly strategy for Waste Management in India Utilising Cement and Concrete Production Technology" ) between India and Norway was established in 2009 and will continue to the end of 2011. It aims to further increase the utilisation of mineral wastes in Indian cement and concrete industry in an environmentally and scientifically sound way in order to ensure sustainable energy and resource management. The project intends to advance the state of the art regarding blended cement and concrete technology as well as provide practical solutions and guidelines. Emphasis are given to the synergies achieved by using ternary binder systems in concrete mixes as well as the use of appropriate admixtures in order to integrate certain waste materials at higher levels than today's practice. The prioritised materials are coal combustion residues,slag and C&D waste. The background,project concept and the current status are presented.