Feasibility study on utilization of copper tailings as raw meal and addition for low carbon Portland cement production

Copper tailings (CT), the main tailings waste with high emissions and serious pollution, has been attempted to be used as raw materials for cement production. However, the amount of CT used in cement production has been remains low. In this study, 20.31 wt% CT as raw meal and 15 wt% CT as addition was used to prepare CT or-dinary Portland cement (CTC15), and the corresponding indicators met P & BULL;O 42.5 grade. Saturated lime modulus, silicon modulus, aluminum modulus, holding time and sintering temperature were investigated to optimize CT clinker (CTC). The optimum amount of CT as addition was analyzed. Furthermore, CTC and CTC15 were eval-uated in terms of economy and environment. Using only CTC to help the cement factory save natural resources by 234346 t & BULL;a  1. By producing CTC15, 293.00 MUSD & BULL;a  1 could be generated, reducing CO2 emissions by 44000 t & BULL;a  1. As a result, CT has feasibility and great potential in cement production.

Automated summary

Copper tailings, a major waste with high emissions and pollution, have been used for cement production but in limited amounts. This study used 20.31 wt% copper tailings as raw material and 15 wt% copper tailings as an addition to produce copper tailings ordinary Portland cement meeting P·O 42.5 grade. Optimal conditions for sintering temperature, holding time, and lime, silicon, and aluminum moduli were investigated, and the optimum amount of copper tailings as an addition was analyzed. The economic and environmental evaluations showed the feasibility and potential of copper tailings in cement production.