Effect of the hydration products on the properties of fly-ash cements

It was established that the higher ultimate strength of fly-ash cements as compared to plain Portland ones can be attributed to the tobermorite-like secondary microcrystalline phase formed in the period from 1 to 3 months, depending on the quality and activity of the fly-ash used.     

Influence of limestone on the hydration of Portland cements

The influence of the presence of limestone on the hydration of Portland cement was investigated. Blending of Portland cement with limestone was found to influence the hydrate assemblage of the hydrated cement. Thermodynamic calculations as well as experimental observations indicated that in the presence of limestone, monocarbonate instead of monosulfate was stable. Thermodynamic modelling showed that the stabilisation of monocarbonate in the presence of limestone indirectly stabilised ettringite leading to a corresponding increase of the total volume of the hydrate phase and a decrease of porosity. The measured difference in porosity between the “limestone-free” cement, which contained less than 0.3% CO₂, and a cement containing 4% limestone, however, was much smaller than calculated.

Coupling of thermodynamic modelling with a set of kinetic equations which described the dissolution of the clinker, predicted quantitatively the amount of hydrates. The quantities of ettringite, portlandite and amorphous phase as determined by TGA and XRD agreed well with the calculated amounts of these phases after different periods of time. The findings in this paper show that changes in the bulk composition of hydrating cements can be followed by coupled thermodynamic models. Comparison between experimental and modelled data helps to understand in more detail the dominating processes during cement hydration.     

Influence of curing temperature on the process of hydration of supersulfated cements at early age

In this paper, the influence of curing temperature was studied for supersulfated cements made with two slags having different chemical compositions. Supersulfated cements (SSC) made with low-alumina slag developed lower porosity, higher compressive strength and degree of hydration at higher temperatures. SSC made with high-alumina slag resulted in higher strengths and presented a more complex mechanism of hydration that was strongly influenced by the solubility of anhydrite.     

Influence of a lignin based admixture on the hydration of portland cements

The influence of a calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) admixture on the hydration reactions of two cements, one high and the other low in C₃A has been studied. The degree of hydration at any time was established through the measurement of (1) cumulative heat of reaction and (2) the amount of chemically combined water in duplicate samples. The results were compatible with the hypothesis for pastes without an admixture which states that the same kinds of hydration products are formed at all stages of the hydration process. It is also concluded that the presence of the admixture appears to alter the rate of reaction rather than effect fundamental changes in the products of hydration.     

Roman cements — Belite cements calcined at low temperature

Roman cement was a major material used in the architecture of the nineteenth and early twentieth century across Europe, until it was displaced by Portland cement, and is absent from the palette of materials from which conservationists may now select. Calcination of cement-stones and marls from six sites in Poland, Austria and the UK has been conducted. The resulting mineralogy is dependant upon the characteristics of the original feedstock and the calcination temperatures. The principal hydraulic components are belites and amorphous aluminates. The stable belites in cements calcined at lower temperatures are largely α^/ C₂S while β C₂S is stabilised as the calcination temperature is increased. Other components include uncalcined remnants, lime, brownmillerite and gehlenite. Optimum cements, assessed by compressive strength, were produced at relatively low temperatures, typically in the region of 750 °C. Two strength development profiles have been observed.     

Influence of calcium gluconate with calcium chloride or glucose on the hydration of cements

The effects of CaCl₂, calcium gluconate, mixture of CaCl₂ and calcium gluconate, glucose and mixture of glucose and calcium gluconate on the hydration of three different portland cements have been studied using isothermal microcalorimetry, x-ray diffraction, chemical analysis of the liquid phase and differential thermal analyses. The results indicated that (1) CaCl₂ accelerates whereas calcium gluconate retards the hydration of all the phases of the cement, (2) glucose accelerates the formation of ettringite whereas retards the hydration of silicate phase, and (3) in the presence of mixture of admixtures the hydration process is more similar to that in the presence of calcium gluconate. It is believed that the action of one admixture in the presence of the other is a competitive process between the two.     

Influence of a thermal cycle at early age on the hydration of calcium sulphoaluminate cements with variable gypsum contents

Hydration of a belite calcium sulphoaluminate cement was investigated over one year as a function of its initial gypsum content (variable from 0 to 35%). Particular attention was paid to the influence of the thermal history of the material at early age on its subsequent evolution. Pastes and mortars (w/c 0.55) were either cured at 20 °C or submitted for one week to a thermal treatment simulating the temperature rise (up to 85 °C) and fall occurring in drums of cemented radwastes. The thermal cycle accelerated the early stages of hydration and mainly decreased the proportion of AFt versus AFm hydrates, especially at low initial gypsum contents (≤ 20% by weight of cement). It also strongly reduced the compressive strength of gypsum-free specimens (by 35% after one year), and doubled their expansion under water. These results were explained by mineralogical evolutions towards a more stable phase assemblage which included retarded ettringite formation.     

Effect of temperature on the pore solution, microstructure and hydration products of Portland cement pastes

The effect of temperature on the hydration products and the composition of the pore solution are investigated for two Portland cements from 5 to 50 °C. Increased temperature leads to an initially fast hydration and a high early compressive strength. At 40 and 50 °C, the formation of denser C-S-H, a more heterogeneous distribution of the hydration products, a coarser porosity, a decrease of the amount of ettringite as well as the formation of very short ettringite needles has been observed. At 50 °C, calcium monosulphoaluminate has formed at the expenses of ettringite. In addition, the amount of calcium monocarboaluminate present seems to decrease. The composition of the pore solution mirrors the faster progress of hydration at higher temperatures. After 150 days, however, the composition of the pore solution is similar for most elements at 5, 20 and 50 °C. Exceptions are the increased sulphate concentrations and the slightly lower Al and Fe concentrations at 50 °C.     

The effect of water-to-cement ratio on the hydration kinetics of tricalcium silicate cements: Testing the two-step hydration hypothesis

Recent efforts to model tricalcium silicate based cements assume a two-step hydration mechanism where, in the first step, the empty space between cement particles rapidly fills with a low density calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) and in the second step, the thus formed C-S-H densifies slowly. This gives rise to models that nicely mimic the shape of experimentally observed hydration calorimetry curves and explains the transition between Stage 3 (acceleration) and Stage 4 (decreasing rate) hydration as well as post Stage 4 continued slow reaction. If this mechanism is correct, however, one would expect that the amount of heat energy released should increase with available space between particles, i.e. with water-to-cement ratio. A series of experiments, wherein the water-to-cement ratio was systematically varied showed little or no increase in total heat released when the water-to-cement ratio was doubled or tripled suggesting that the two-step mechanism may need revision.     

pH值对硝酸铵水溶液临界爆炸温度的影响

研究了氯离子含量一定时pH值对硝酸铵水溶液临界爆温的影响。结果表明,氯离子质量分数为1．0×10^-4时,pH值越小,硝酸铵水溶液的临界爆温越低,且pH值与临界爆温值呈线性关系。本研究结果对硝酸铵的安全生产有重要的参考价值。     

Properties and hydration of blended cements with steelmaking slag

The present research study investigates the properties and hydration of blended cements with steelmaking slag, a by-product of the conversion process of iron to steel. For this purpose, a reference sample and three cements containing up to 45% w/w steel slag were tested. The steel slag fraction used was the “0-5 mm”, due to its high content in calcium silicate phases. Initial and final setting time, standard consistency, flow of normal mortar, autoclave expansion and compressive strength at 2, 7, 28 and 90 days were measured. The hydrated products were identified by X-ray diffraction while the non-evaporable water was determined by TGA. The microstructure of the hardened cement pastes and their morphological characteristics were examined by scanning electron microscopy. It is concluded that slag can be used in the production of composite cements of the strength classes 42.5 and 32.5 of EN 197-1. In addition, the slag cements present satisfactory physical properties. The steel slag slows down the hydration of the blended cements, due to the morphology of contained C₂S and its low content in calcium silicates.     

Properties and hydration of blended cements with calcareous diatomite

In this paper the effect of diatomite addition on blended cement properties and hydration was studied. Calcareous diatomaceous rocks of Zakynthos Island, Ionian Sea, containing mainly CaCO₃ and amorphous silica of biogenic origin with the form of opal-A were used. Cement mortars and pastes, with 0%, 10%, 20% and 35% replacement of cement with the specific diatomite, were examined. Strength development, water demand and setting time were determined in all samples. In addition, XRD, SEM and weight loss at 350 °C were applied in order to study the hydration products and the hydration rate in the cement-diatomite pastes. Blended cements, having up to 10% diatomite content, develop the same compressive strength, as the corresponding Portland cement, while the presence of diatomite leads to an increase of the paste water demand. Diatomite is characterized as natural pozzolana, as it satisfies the requirements of EN 197 1 concerning the active silica content. The pozzolanic nature of the diatomite results to the formation of higher amounts of hydrated products, specifically at the age of 28 days.     

Influence of temperature and pH on the kinetics of the Sharon nitritation process

The SHARON (Single reactor High activity Ammonia Removal Over Nitrite) process is an innovative process that improves the sustainability of wastewater treatment, especially when combined with an Anammox process. It aims at ammonium oxidation to nitrite only, while preventing further nitrate formation. In order to optimize this process by means of modelling and simulation, parameters of the biological processes have to be assessed. Batch tests with SHARON sludge clearly showed that ammonia rather than ammonium is the actual substrate and nitrous acid rather than nitrite is the actual inhibitor of the ammonium oxidation in the SHARON process. From these batch tests the ammonia affinity constant, the nitrous acid inhibition constant and the oxygen affinity constant were determined to be 0.75 mgNH₃‐N L^?1, 2.04 mgHNO₂‐N L^?1 and 0.94 mgO₂ L^?1. The influence of pH and temperature on the oxygen uptake rate of SHARON biomass was determined, indicating the existence of a pH interval between 6.5 and 8 and a temperature interval from 35 to 45 °C where the biomass activity is maximal. The kinetic parameters of the SHARON process were determined based on batch experiments. These parameters can now be implemented in a simulation model for further optimization of the SHARON process. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

协同水化制备水硬性材料及其水化产物的研究

按钢渣、矿渣和粉煤灰以5∶3∶2的比例组成复合废渣,在改性水玻璃等激发剂的协同作用下,制备得到的浆体28 d抗压强度高达53.56 MPa,凝结时间及安定性均合格。通过X射线衍射(XRD)分析、电子扫描电镜(SEM)形貌观察等对浆体中的水化产物进行分析,结果表明,在协同水化作用下,水化产物中存在网络状的水化硅酸钙(C-S-H)。     

pH值对水泥水化性能的影响

通过测定水泥的凝结时间、强度,并结合XRD、SEM分析,探讨了水泥水化时拌合水的pH值对水泥浆体结构和性能的影响规律.结果表明,随着拌和水pH值增加,水泥的水化速率加快,强度增加,当pH值等于12时,效果最好,通过微观分析可以看出浆体的水化产物多,晶体颗粒小,结构致密,但当pH值超过12时,变化规律相反.     

Early hydration of tricalcium silicate I. Kinetics of the hydration process and the stoichiometry of the hydration products

The initial hydration of C₃S in paste form at room temperature was studied. The process is initiated by a short lasting rapid hydration in which about 1 – 2% of C₃S is hydrated and a hydrate with low C/S and high H/S ratio is formed. After a subsequent induction period of 4 hours a renewed rapid hydration is observed in which a hydrate of constant stoichiometric composition, independent on the time of hydration is formed. This hydrate has a higher C/S and lower H/S ratio than the one formed initially. The liquid phase stays supersaturated with respect to calcium hydroxide for several hours after the induction period is terminated.     

Influence of metastable hydrated phases on the pore size distribution and degree of hydration of MK-blended cements cured at 60 °C

When MK reacts with calcium hydroxide, cementitious products are formed. It has been reported that CSH, C₂ASH₈ and C₄AH₁₃ are the most important hydrated phases formed. These phases are stable at 20 °C. However, some of them (C₂ASH₈ and C₄AH₁₃) are metastable phases, converting to hydrogarnet (C₃ASH₆) for long curing times at elevated temperatures. The partial or total conversion reaction could produce a negative effect on the performance and durability of blended cements, due to a volume decrease associated with the process of transformation.Due to the influence that this conversion could have on the microstructure and durability of a cement paste containing MK, the current paper presents the results of a research programme carried out on blended cements containing 10%, 20% and 25% of MK, cured at 60 °C up to 124 days of hydration.The total, partial porosity and average pore diameter evolution vs. time is determined using mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). An estimated degree of hydration of MK-blended cements cured at 60 °C is proposed.The results show that there is no increase in porosity values and average pore diameters with time. Therefore, the hydrated phases produced in MK-blended cements under the test conditions used do not have a negative effect on the microporosity. A suitable correlation between porosity and degree of hydration has been found.     

热解温度对低阶煤热解性能影响研究

为获得高品质高产率热解油气,以榆林长焰煤为研究对象,采用1 kg/h外热式回转炉,研究不同热解温度下榆林长焰煤的产品产率、半焦强度及煤焦油品质。结果表明:随着热解温度的升高,榆林煤裂解程度加深,有机质剧烈分解,气体、液体产物不断析出,半焦产率下降,煤气产率增加;热解水量受温度影响不大,仅随温度升高略有增加。随热解温度升高,榆林煤热解半焦结构强度和半焦微孔均增大,温度越高,气孔结构越发达。煤焦油中脂肪族和芳香族含量与热解温度成正比,极性物含量与热解温度成反比。长焰煤适宜热解温度为600℃,此时煤焦油产率达到极大值8.66%,为格金焦油产率的79.5%;半焦结构强度在78%以上,煤焦油中脂肪族和芳香族含量在50%以上,极性物含量32.9%,族组成较为理想。     

Carbonation of the hydration products of tricalcium silicate

C₃S has been hydrated for increasing time and stored for 2.5 years under normal atmosphere, the fresh and aged materials being characterized by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The carbonation occuring during storage gives rise to complete disappearance of CSH gel while portlandite remains in appreciable amount; the siliceous residue is an amorphous silica similar to common silica gels. The carbonates formed are vaterite and aragonite, the latter being relatively more important in samples with a low degree of hydration.