Sustainable Approach for Linz-Donawitz Slag Waste as a Replacement of Cement in Concrete: Mechanical, Microstructural, and Durability Properties

Linz-Donawitz (LD) slag, solid waste produced during steel manufacture in basic oxygen furnace, is difficult when it comes to handling and disposal and has very limited utilization. To increase its reusability, the suitability of supplanting cement with LD slag in concrete was examined. To study the impact of partially replacing cement with LD slag on strength, microstructure, and durability of concrete, more than 150 samples were cast. The test results reveal that the highest compressive and flexural strengths were attained at 20% LD slag replacement and, beyond that, the strength decreased. The hydration products detected by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), ettringite, and calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C-A-S-H). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of binary cement concrete showed denser microstructure and lesser voids. The sulphuric acid resistance, electrical resistivity, and carbonation resistance tests done reveal that acceptable durability could be achieved when cement is replaced by LD slag. It is deduced that LD slag can be utilized in partially replacing cement to achieve the desired strength. This research gives another comprehension of simultaneously managing steel industry waste for sustainable development and contributing added advantages to the economy.

Reduction of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Effluent of Plastic Recycling Processing Plant using LD Slag

In wastewater plastic recycling processing plant, commonly contain high chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration. Coagulation-flocculation, adsorption and foam fractionation are the examples of treatment processes that can reduce COD concentration in wastewater. Steel slag can be used as an alternative to remove COD concentration of wastewater adsorption process. Linz-Donawitz (LD) slag can be obtained from steel manufacturing plant. LD slag also contains alkali oxides, porous characteristic, large surface area and contain an easy solid-liquid separation. This research is to study the percentage reduction of COD in wastewater using LD slag as adsorbent. This research will investigate the effect of particle size, dosage amount and contact time between LD slag and COD reduction. From the experiment, the highest percentage COD removal for particle size is 0.2mm, the dosage amount is 6 gram and the contact time is at 60 min. Comparison of COD removal by using coagulation -flocculation, adsorption using activated carbon and adsorption using LD slag processes was done. LD slag can reduce 2% higher of COD compared to activated carbon. LD slag should be invested more in wastewater treatment process.