Use of calcined clay as cementitious addition in mortars to immobilize heavy metals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the use of calcined clay (CC), which is a pozzolanic material, as a substitute for 10% by weight of the amount of cement, for the stabilization/solidification (S/S) of hazardous waste using a hydraulic binder. For comparison, an ordinary Portland cement was used. The standard toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test showed that the average concentrations of heavy metals in the raw hazardous waste far exceeded those of the required standards. Leaching of heavy metals from the mortar was evaluated by the monolithic leaching test (MLT) under dynamic leaching conditions for 64 days in sulfated and neutral media. Tests of compressive strength, setting times, and X-ray diffraction were carried out. The addition of CC considerably improved the strength of the mortar specimens containing hazardous waste. Following the MLT test, CC cement-made mortar was more efficient in the S/S of heavy metals than mortar made without CC.