Calcium Hydroxide Washing Treatment of Jordanian Phosphogypsum for Utilization as Raw Material in Cement Industry

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to control the hydration reaction rate of cement during its production process as phosphogypsum could be used as a substitute to natural gypsum in cement industry. However, the phosphogypsum impurities are pushing towards developing an efficient way to clean it due to their negative effect in hindering its use as an additive to the cement industry. The aim of this article is to treat phosphogypsum to be used in cement industry. To fulfil the purpose, samples from the Jordanian phosphogypsum were treated by washing with calcium hydroxide solution and then analyzed using X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. The analyses result of the treated samples indicated that the P2O5 percentage was reduced by around 16% after three times washing, whereas 100% removal of U was achieved. The reduction of SiO2 and Al2O3 were 42% and 20%, respectively. Ti content was reduced by 20%. According to the analyses, the radiation from phosphogypsum was negligible. Therefore, the treated Jordanian phosphogypsum can be used in cement industry. This will contribute to the reduction of waste phosphogypsum which considered as environmental concern from one side and provide cement industry with low cost raw material on the other side.