Environment-friendly method of high alkaline bauxite's Red Mud and Ferrous Slag utilization as an example of green chemistry

Abstract

This paper focuses on the development of new environment-friendly construction materials based on Red Mud – the mineral processing waste from bauxite. This type of waste is commonly produced by Al-plants during the Bayer process. The new materials consist only of industrial wastes. However, their strength can be accelerated by adding small amounts (2%) of CaO or Portland cement. Only amorphous new formations have been found to grow during the materials' strengthening process. The high strength of these new materials renders them applicable in the construction of roads and airfield runways, levee cores, industrial and municipal dumps, building foundations, in tile and brick production, etc. In addition to the economic advantages of these materials, they are extremely easy to use and do not create new residues.