Synthesis of backfill foam lightweight soil from bauxite tailings slurry and industrial byproducts

Abstract

Bauxite tailing (BT) slurry has been generated and accumulated in large quantities, posing a threat to the green and sustainable development of the alumina industry. The regression equation between the actual water content and mud-water separation rate was established to achieve efficient resource utilization, and the feasibility of foam lightweight soil (FLS) prepared from BT was investigated. The effects of industrial waste residues (fly ash and slag powder) on the properties of FLS were studied. Meanwhile, the micro-mechanisms were revealed by XRD, SEM-EDS, and TG-DSC. The results revealed that fly ash reduced the workability and compressive strength of FLS. Slag powder can significantly enhance the compressive strength of FLS, which increased by 18.60%–23.26%, 17.07%–58.54% and 12.12%–52.12%, respectively. Besides, slag powder can improve the long-term water stability performance and enhance carbonation resistance. XRD and thermal analyses showed that adding fly ash decreased the hydration degree of FLS, leading to a decrease in the hydration products. Slag powder improved the pore structure and compacted the skeleton structure of FLS. This study would provide an effective way to realize the resource utilization of BT, fly ash, and slag powder, with certain socio-economic and environmental benefits.

Supplementary materials

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Keywords

foam lightweight soil / bauxite tailing slurry / compressive strength / volume absorption / microscopic property

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