Synthesis of α′L-C2S cement from fly-ash using the hydrothermal method at low temperature and atmospheric pressure

The objective of this study was the synthesis of alpha'(L)-C2S (Ca2SiO4) belite cement, starting from fly-ash of system CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-SO3, and using the hydrothermal method in alkaline solution. The lime deficit in these ashes was compensated by the addition of slaked lime from lime bagging workshops. The hydrothermal treatment of the mixture was carried out in demineralized water, NaOH or KOH solution, continually stirred at a temperature below 100 degrees C and atmospheric pressure. The dehydration and calcination of the mixtures at temperatures between 800 and 1100 degrees C allowed alpha'(L)-C2S-rich cement to be obtained. The optimization of the synthesis parameters (temperature and time of stirring, pH of solution, temperature and duration of mixture burning) was also studied. The phase formation during various synthesis stages was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Other techniques, such as SEM and EDX, were used to characterize the cement minerals. The results obtained showed that these ashes could form belite cement composed of only one dicalcium silicate phase (alpha'(L)-C2S). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.