Experimental Studies On Concrete Utilizing Red Mud As A Partial Replacement Of Cement With Hydrated Lime

Abstract

The Bayer Process for the production of alumina from Bauxite ore is characterized by low energy efficiency and it results in the production of significant amounts of dust-like, high alkalinity bauxite residues known as red mud. Currently red mud is produced almost at equal mass ratio to metallurgical alumina and is disposed into sealed or unsealed artificial impoundments (landfills), leading to important environmental issues. It comprises of oxides of iron, titanium, aluminum and silica along with some other minor constituents. Presence of Alumina and Iron oxide in red mud compensates the deficiency of the same components in limestone which is the primary raw material for cement production. Presence of soda in the red mud which when used in clinker production neutralizes the sulfur content in the pet coke that is used for burning clinker enrooted cement production and adds to the cement’s setting characteristics. Based on economics as well as environmental related issues, enormous efforts have been directed worldwide towards red mud management issues i.e. of utilization, storage and disposal. Different avenues of red mud utilization are more or less known but none of them have so far proved to be economically viable or commercially feasible. Experiments have been conducted under laboratory condition to assess the strength characteristics of the aluminum red mud. The project work focuses on the suitability of red mud obtained for construction. Five test groups were constituted with the replacement percentages 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% of red mud and 5% of hydrated lime with cement in each series. To achieve Pozzolanic property of red mud, hydrated lime was added. This paper points out another promising direction for the proper utilization of red mud.