Effect of the incorporation of TiO2 waste (UOW) in the formation of the mineralogical phases of Portland clinker

Abstract The reuse of industrial waste in the construction industry has proven to be an environmentally and economically attractive alternative, especially for the cement industry, which has long sought after procedures that effectively reduce the high use of energy and CO2 emissions generated during clinker production. In this sense, it is necessary to use alternative materials as partial substitutes for raw materials in clinker production. Thus, the objective of this research study is to produce Portland clinker with low carbon dioxide emissions from the incorporation of unreacted ore (UOW), a waste generated during the production of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The carbon dioxide emissions generated during the production of this material were verified by thermal analysis (TG/DTG), and the influence of the waste on the formation of clinker phases was verified by mineralogical analysis (XRD), optical microscopy (MO) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results obtained led to the determination of the ideal incorporation content of TiO2 for clinker production, and they also showed that the UOW - up to a limit content of incorporation - acts like a mineraliser and is, therefore, beneficial for the formation of alite.