Dredged marine soil stabilization using magnesia cement augmented with biochar/slag

Dredged marine soils(DMS)have poor engineering properties,which limit their usage in construction projects.This research examines the application of reactive magnesia(rMgO)containing supplementary cementitious materials(SCMs)to stabilize DMS under ambient and carbon dioxide(CO_(2))curing conditions.Several proprietary experimental tests were conducted to investigate the stabilized DMS.Furthermore,the carbonation-induced mineralogical,thermal,and microstructural properties change of the samples were explored.The findings show that the compressive strength of the stabilized DMS fulfilled the 7-d requirement(0.7-2.1 MPa)for pavement and building foundations.Replacing rMgO with SCMs such as biochar or ground granulated blast-furnace slag(GGBS)altered the engineering properties and particle packing of the stabilized soils,thus influencing their performances.Biochar increased the porosity of the samples,facilitating higher CO_(2) uptake and improved ductility,while GGBS decreased porosity and increased the dry density of the samples,resulting in higher strength.The addition of SCMs also enhanced the water retention capacity and modified the pH of the samples.Microstructural analysis revealed that the hydrated magnesium carbonates precipitated in the carbonated samples provided better cementation effects than brucite formed during rMgO hydration.Moreover,incorporating SCMs reduced the overall global warming potential and energy demand of the rMgO-based systems.The biochar mixes demonstrated lower toxicity and energy consumption.Ultimately,the rMgO and biochar blend can serve as an environmentally friendly additive for soft soil stabilization and permanent fixation of significant amounts of CO_(2) in soils through mineral carbonation,potentially reducing environmental pollution while meeting urbanization needs.

Efficient stabilization of dredged sludge with high water content using an improved bio-carbonation of reactive magnesia cement method

This study proposed an improved bio-carbonation of reactive magnesia cement(RMC)method for dredged sludge stabilization using the urea pre-hydrolysis strategy.Based on unconfined compression strength(UCS),pickling-drainage,and scanning electron microscopy(SEM)tests,the effects of prehydrolysis duration(T),urease activity(UA)and curing age(CA)on the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics of bio-carbonized samples were systematically investigated and analyzed.The results demonstrated that the proposed method could significantly enhance urea hydrolysis and RMC bio-carbonation to achieve efficient stabilization of dredged sludge with 80%high water content.A significant strength increment of up to about 1063.36 kPa was obtained for the bio-carbonized samples after just 7 d of curing,which was 2.64 times higher than that of the 28-day cured ordinary Portland cement-reinforced samples.Both elevated T and UA could notably increase urea utilization ratio and carbonate ion yield,but the resulting surge in supersaturation also affected the precipitation patterns of hydrated magnesia carbonates(HMCs),which weakened the cementation effect of HMCs on soil particles and further inhibited strength enhancement of bio-carbonized samples.The optimum formula was determined to be the case of T?24 h and UA?10 U/mL for dredged sludge stabilization.A 7-day CA was enough for bio-carbonized samples to obtain stable strength,albeit slightly affected by UA.The benefits of high efficiency and water stability presented the potential of this method in achieving dredged sludge stabilization and resource utilization.This investigation provides informative ideas and valuable insights on implementing advanced bio-geotechnical techniques to achieve efficient stabilization of soft soil,such as dredged sludge.

Strength and deformation characteristics of carbonated reactive magnesia treated silt soil

A series of unconfined compression tests(UCTs) were conducted to investigate the effects of content of reactive magnesia(Mg O) and carbonation time on the engineering properties including apparent characteristics, stress-strain relation, and deformation and strength characteristics of reactive Mg O treated silt soils. The soils treated with reactive Mg O at various contents were subjected to accelerated carbonation for different periods of time and later, UCTs were performed on them. The results demonstrate that the reactive Mg O content and carbonation time have remarkable influences on the aforementioned engineering properties of the soils. It is found that with the increase in reactive Mg O content, the unconfined compressive strength(qu) increases at a given carbonation time(<10 h), whereas the water content and amounts of crack of the soils decrease. A threshold content of reactive Mg O exists at approximately 25% and a critical carbonation time exists at about 10 h for the development of qu. A simple yet practical strength-prediction model, by taking into account two variables of reactive Mg O content and carbonation time, is proposed to estimate qu of carbonated reactive Mg O treated soils. A comparison of the predicated values of qu with the measured ones indicates that the proposed model has satisfactory accuracy.

Effect of magnesia on the compressive strength of pellets

The compressive strength of MgO-fluxed pellets was investigated before and after they were reduced. The porosity and pore size of green pellets, product pellets, and reduced pellets were analyzed to clarify how MgO affects the strength of the pellets. Experimental resuits show that when the MgO-bearing flux content in the pellets increases from 0.0wt% to 2.0wt%, the compressive strength of the pellets at ambient temperature decreases, but the compressive strength of the pellets after reduction increases. Therefore, the compressive strength of the pellets after reduction exhibits no certain positive correlation with that before reduction. The porosity and pore size of all the pellets （with different MgO contents） increase when the pellets are reduced. However, the increase in porosity of the MgO-fluxed pellets is relatively smaller than that of the traditional non-MgO-fluxed pellets, and the pore size range of the MgO-fluxed pellets is relatively narrower. The reduction swelling index （RSI） is a key factor for governing the compressive strength of the reduced pellets. An approximately reversed linear relation can be concluded that the lower the RSI, the greater the compressive strength of the reduced pellets is.

Magnesia Modification of Alkali-Activated Slag Fly Ash Cement

A new type of magnesia modification alkali-activated cement was prepared, the strength, setting time, shrinkage ratio and cracking behavior, as well as the composition and structure of the hydration product were investigated. The results indicate that the setting time of this cement is similar to that of the ordinary commercial cements; its strength reaches the standard of 42.5 degree cement, its cracking resistance has been remarkably improved because of the micro-aggregate effect of fly ash and shrinkage compensating of magnesia.

Studies on the Catalytic Properties of Magnesia Supported on γ-Alumina

We have shown that MgO can be dispersed on γ Al 2O 3 with different loadings. The observed dispersion capacity of MgO on the surface of γ Al 2O 3 is higher than the theoretical monolayer dispersion value. The surface area and the maximum in the pore size distribution gradually decrease with the increase in MgO content at low loadings. The surface area and the maximum in the pore size distribution of MgO/ γ Al 2O 3 decrease more rapidly when the MgO content is large because the pores of γ Al 2O 3 become blocked. When small amounts of MgO are dispersed on the surface of γ Al 2O 3, the catalyst is very active and shows a good selectivity for the synthesis of glycol ethers.

Manufacture of Boron-free Magnesia with High Purity from Residual Brine

A novel method for removing boron with ion exchange resin from residual brines to manufacture boron-free magnesia is described. The concentration of boron in the target magnesia manufactured thereby from Qinghai salt lakes is lower than 5 mg/g, and the typical D50 size of product is 10.625 mm.

Thermal Evolution of Al-containing Magnesia Refractories for RH Snorkels

Resin-bonded, Al-containing magnesia refractories have been an alternative of rebonded fused-grains magchrome bricks to be used as inner lining in the snorkels and lower vessel of RH degassers, having the advantages of being chrome-free and energy-saving(without burning), with a comparable performance. Microstructural investigations indicate that metal Al powder remains independent in the matrix after heating at 700 ℃ and 900 ℃, and Al_4C_3, Al_2OC and Al_4O_4C crystalline whiskers start forming from 1 100 ℃. The whiskers grow and connect into a network matrix with increasing temperatures,remaining up to 1 600 ℃. Comparison of used bricks from different snorkels indicates a strong whisker networks formation in the brick achieving long service life and superior performance, which is attributed to flexible network structure of stable and interwoven whiskers. On contrary, there is a strongly-oxidized layer on the hot face and almost no whisker found anywhere in the brick with the short service life. It is vital to form the bonding phase of whiskers at high temperatures,generating overall properties of high hot strength, high erosion resistance and thermal shock resistance, which are essential in the working conditions of RH snorkels.

Study on Properties of Magnesia-Hercynite Brick

Using magnesia and hercynite as materials, we researched the magnesia hercynite brick in order to solve the problem of chrome free brick used in the burning zone of cement rotary kiln. Effect of different firing temperature and different content of hercynite on properties of the brick were studied. The results show that the magnesia hercynite specimen fired at 1600℃ was densified and when the hercynite content is 7%, the cold crushing strength and the adhesive strength of rupture of the specimen have the highest value.

Effect of magnesia on properties and microstructure of alkali-activated slag cement

The effect of magnesia bumt at 800-950℃ on the properties, especially the shrinkage, of alkali-activated slag cement （AASC.） was experimentally studied. Experimental results show that, although adding 4%-8% lightly-burnt magnesia may shorten the setting time and slightly reduce the compressive strength of AASC, it c, an remarkably reduce the shrinkage of AASC. The results also show that the setting time of AASC with a certain amount of magnesia increases with the buming temperature, and that the flexural and compressive strengths of AASC decrease with the increase of the additive amount of magnesia. Generally, the adverse effect of magnesia decreases with the increase of the burning temperature：, and the shrinkage-reducing effect of magnesia increases with the additive amount of magnesia. X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） analyses show that some magnesia particles in the hardened AASC paste at a 28-d age remained unhydrated, and that the compactness decreased a little as magnesia was added. We can also conclude that magnesia bumt at 850-950℃ can be used to reduce the shrinkage of AASC only when its additive amount does not exceed 8%; otherwise, the setting time may be too short, and the flexural and compressive strengths may severely decrease.

Electrolysis of Magnesia from Bischofite in Qinghai Salt Lakes

A new technique of magnesia electrolysis from bischofite in Qinghai salt lakes was investigated experimentally. Magnesia was prepared by ammonia processing. On an electrolysis cell of about 100 A capacity at 700degreesC, magnesium metal was obtained with a current efficiency of 90.23% and a specific energy consumption of 11.5 kW(.)h. The new technique has the advantages of energy saving, high current efficiency and environmental amity.

Influence of Microporous Magnesia-rich Spinel Aggregates on Properties of Low Carbon MgO-C Refractories

Two types of low carbon MgO - C refractories with 6% graphite were prepared using microporous magnesiarich spinel （5 - 3 and 3 - 1 mm ） and fused magnesia （5 - 3 and 3 - 1 mm ） as coarse aggregates, respectively, fused magnesia （ ≤1 mm） as fine aggregate, magnesia powder （≤ 0. 088 mm ） , flake graphite powder （ ≤0. 088 mm）, metal Al powder （ 〈0. 074 mm） as matrix, and phenol resin as binder. After curing at 220 ℃ and coke-embedded firing at 1 500 ℃ , the apparent porosity, cold crushing strength, cold modulus of rupture, permanent linear change on heating, thermal shock resistance and slag resistance of the specimens were studied comparatively. The results indicate that： （ 1 ） after curing at 220 ℃ and coke-embedded firing at 1 500 ℃, the specimen with microporous magnesia-rich spinel replacing fused magnesia has lower bulk density and higher apparent porosity than the common low car- bon MgO - C specimen. After curing at 220 ℃, the specimen with microporous aggregate has lower strength than common low carbon MgO - C specimen, but after coke-embedded firing at 1 500℃, it has higher strength and lower permanent linear change on heating; （2） low carbon MgO - C specimen using microporous magnesia-rich spinel to replace fused magnesia aggregate has better thermal shock resistance but worse slag resistance.

Influence of Nano-Al_2O_3 on Properties of Magnesia Chrome Refractories

Magnesia chrome bricks were prepared with fiLsed MgO- Cr2 O3 synthesized material, fused magnesite and ：hrome ore as main starting materials. Nano-Al2O3 was tdded into refractories （ 2% , 4% and 6% in mass ） ;ubstit,ting for Al203 micropowder. After m＆ing and ;haping, the bricks were fired at 1 550 ℃, 1 600 91℃, t 650 ℃ and 1 750℃, respectively. The microstruc-ure , sintering property, mechanical properties, thermal ;kock resistance and shtg resistance of the specimens with he addition of nano-Al2O3 were investigated. The results indicate that the performance of brick with 4 mass% of nano-Al2O3 is greatly improred afier firing at 1 650 ℃.

Indispensability and Vulnerability of Magnesia-carbon Bricks for Steelmaking Process

The manufacturing techniques of magnesia-carbon bricks in China have been documented from raw materials,production(process and facilities)to performance and wear issues in the ladle.Magnesia-carbon bricks made of ordinary fused magnesia is the prevailing material used in the slagline of the ladle,but its service life is substantially lower than the bricks based on large-periclase-crystal fused magnesia.In two types of fused magnesia,the average values of periclase crystal size are in double for their difference.It is suggested that large-periclase-crystal fused magnesia should be used for manufacturing magnesia-carbon bricks for the slagline of the ladle by abandoning ordinary fused magnesia,in order to have a prolonged service life,increase the availability of the ladle and reduce the number of downtimes of the ladle.Free phenol in resin produced in China should be as low as that of resin made in Europe,to improve production environment and reduce smoke emission during the ladle preheating.There are large spaces to promote the productivity of magnesia-carbon bricks in China,with high intensity mixers and hydraulic presses.Expansion controlled magnesia-carbon bricks in the ladle depend on the optimized combination of sintered magnesia,Carbores and antioxidants as the matrix,to minimize the premature wear of vertical cracks and joint opening formed in the ladle lining.

Effect of Magnesia Blending on the Magnetic Properties of Grain Oriented Silicon Steel

Decarburized samples of grain oriented silicon steel were coated with alone and blended magnesias and submitted to the high temperature annealing. The magnesias and their blendings were characterized using granulometry measurements, ignition loss and reactivity tests. After high temperature annealing, forsterite film morphology, magnetic properties and Goss deviation were also analyzed. Better magnetic properties and sharper Goss orientation were found in samples which had used blended magnesias. These results are explained by the magnesias particle size distributions, forsterite film formation and rate of inhibitors release.

Research and Application of New Non-burned Periclase-magnesia Alumina Spinel Bricks

To meet the needs of environmental protection and promote the application of chromium-free refractories for RH refining furnaces, research on application of new non-burned periclase-magnesia alumina spinel bricks was carried out. Through laboratory research and field application, it is concluded that the non-burned periclase-magnesia alumina spinel brick can replace magnesia-chrome material, and its service life is equivalent to that of the magnesia-chrome material with reduced cost.

Influence of nanosized magnesia on the hydration of borehole-sealing cements prepared using different methods

Gas drainage is an efective technology for gas control in coal mines.A high borehole-sealing quality is the fundamental precondition for efcient gas drainage.The expansibilities of cement pastes used in borehole-sealing processes are critical for the borehole-sealing efect.Nanosized magnesia expansive agents are used to improve the expansibilities of cement pastes and improve the borehole-sealing efect.Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy were adopted to study the efects of nanosized magnesia on the hydration of borehole-sealing cements used with diferent preparation methods.The results showed that an increase in the mass fraction of the nanosized magnesia promoted cement hydration,and the mass fraction was positively correlated with the promotion efect.The use of diferent preparation methods did not change the water-phase distribution in the cement.When using the wet-mixing preparation method,nanosized magnesia promoted the induction,acceleration,and deceleration periods of hydration;when using the dry-mixing preparation method,the nanosized magnesia promoted the induction period of cement hydration,and the promotion efect was less obvious than that seen when using the wet-mixing method.When using the wet-mixing preparation method,the nanosized magnesia was uniformly dispersed,thus enlarging the surface area of the reaction,which provided more nucleation sites for the hydration products of the cement and therefore accelerated the hydration reaction.When using the dry-mixing preparation method,the nanosized magnesia powders were dispersed nonuniformly and aggregated.Under these conditions,only a few nanosized magnesia particles on the surfaces of the aggregated clusters took part in hydration,so only a small number of nucleation sites were provided for the hydration products of cement.This led to inconsistent hydration of cement pastes prepared using the dry-mixing method.The surface porosity of the cement prepared with the wet-mixing preparation method frst decreased and then increased with increases in the mass fraction of the nanosized magnesia.The cement surface exhibited compact hydration products and few pores,and the surface was relatively smooth.In comparison,the surface porosity of the cement prepared using the dry-mixing method fuctuated with increasing mass fraction of the nanosized magnesia,resulting in a rough cement surface and microfractures on some surfaces.The two preparation methods both reduced the surface porosity of the cement.The wet-mixing preparation was more efective and consistent in improving the compactness of the cement than the dry-mixing preparation.These results provide important guidance on the addition of nanosized magnesia in borehole-sealing engineering and the selection of cement preparation methods,and they also lay a solid foundation for realizing safe and efcient gas drainage.

A Review on Some Applications of Magnesia in Current China Refractories Industry

Magnesia-based refractories hold a big share in the total refractories output in China because of abundance of magnesite resource. In this paper a short review has been focused on the current and future new use of magnesia in the production of magnesia-based products including low carbon MgO-C bricks, MgO- CaO bricks, MgO-based castables, MgO-CaO-Fe2O3 ramming mix and MgO-CaO-C bricks for low carbon steelmaking and clean steel making, magnesite ball for slag splashing, MgO-CaO-ZrO2 for sintering and transfering zones of cement kiln and MgAlON for special use in the steel industry.

Compositions and Properties of Hydration-Resistant Coating of Magnesia-Calcia Materials

The complex coating on the MgO CaO clinker was prepared by dipping method and adding the second mineral to restrain the formation and expansion of the cracks. Meanwhile, the microstructure and the morphology of the coating and hydration resistance of the MgO CaO clinker were also investigated. The result shows that the coating consists mainly of Ca 2P 2O 7, MgO and CaCO 3, its thickness ranges from 5μm to 20μm, and the coating is dense and even, no micro cracks are observed. Also, the coating adheres closely to the matrix. The hydration resistance of the MgO CaO clinker after treatment is improved greatly, and the castables prepared with the treated MgO CaO clinker have better physical properties than MgO castable.

Chemical Analysis Method for Magnesia and Magnesia-Alumina Refractories——Gravimetric-Molybdenum Blue Photometric Method for Determination of Silicon Dioxide Content

This standard specifies the gravimetric-molybdenum blue photometric method for determination of silicon dioxide content.