Thermal Power Plant Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum Waste Particulates Reinforced Injection Molded Flexible Composites

612-616Low density, thermally insulative and moisture resistant flexible polymer composites were developed using Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum waste particulates with Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) under injection molding technique without any additive or filler modification. The moisture content, particle size, specific gravity, density, pH, electrical conductivity and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of FGD gypsum waste particulates were evaluated together with mineralogical, morphological and elemental analysis by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) studies. Developed composites were tested for Density, Water absorption, thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. Density of FGD-LDPE composites varied from 0.91±0.01 to 1.33±0.01 g/cm3 with different concentrations of FGD gypsum filler (10–70 weight %). The water absorption showed 0.69±0.04% for maximum (70 weight %) filler concentration and the corresponding thermal conductivity was found to be minimum (0.3964 W/m/K). The composites were very flexible and exhibited lower tensile strength (6.17±0.05 to 7.15±0.09 MPa), flexural strength (11.25±0.14 MPa) and impact strength (22.70±1.57 KJ/m2) with 50% and 10% filler content. Findings of these results have showed a new path for making flexible composites potentially having applications in sports ground, staircase and instrumentation rooms as a thermal insulation flooring material using FGD waste particulates generated from thermal power plants

Thermal Power Plant Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum Waste Particulates Reinforced Injection Molded Flexible Composites

Low density, thermally insulative and moisture resistant flexible polymer composites were developed using Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum waste particulates with Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) under injection molding technique without any additive or filler modification. The moisture content, particle size, specific gravity, density, pH, electrical conductivity and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of FGD gypsum waste particulates were evaluated together with mineralogical, morphological and elemental analysis by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (FESEM-EDS) studies. Developed composites were tested for Density, Water absorption, thermal conductivity and mechanical strength. Density of FGD-LDPE composites varied from 0.91±0.01 to 1.33±0.01 g/cm3 with different concentrations of FGD gypsum filler (10–70 weight %). The water absorption showed 0.69±0.04% for maximum (70 weight %) filler concentration and the corresponding thermal conductivity was found to be minimum (0.3964 W/m/K). The composites were very flexible and exhibited lower tensile strength (6.17±0.05 to 7.15±0.09 MPa), flexural strength (11.25±0.14 MPa) and impact strength (22.70±1.57 KJ/m2) with 50% and 10% filler content. Findings of these results have showed a new path for making flexible composites potentially having applications in sports ground, staircase and instrumentation rooms as a thermal insulation flooring material using FGD waste particulates generated from thermal power plants

Transformation of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum to β-CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers using facile water treatment

A novel way for the transformation of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, an industrial by-product to β-CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers is investigated for calcium sulfate-rich alternative construction material. As the consumption of gypsum products is increasing in the construction industry and a limited amount of natural gypsum is available, herein facile water treatment is used to generate fine tubular particles by recrystallization and growth of β-CaSO4·0.5H2O without any chemical for the first time. Remarkable properties of FGD gypsum are characterized with mean particle size of 42.875–48.759 µm, bulk density of 1.08–1.21 g/cm3, and specific gravity of 3.06–3.35. XRD, FTIR, WD-XRF, FESEM-EDS, and HR-TEM analysis confirm the composition and morphology of the synthesized material. XRD pattern of treated FGD gypsum confirms the presence of highly crystalline β-CaSO4·0.5H2O. FESEM micrographs confirm the micro-needle type morphology with a very high aspect ratio of 25:1.Results showed that magnetic stirring improves the removal efficacy of impurities. This study will open the perspective for the development of FGD gypsum whiskers with a very high aspect ratio and will pave the way for future investigation for a green alternative of natural gypsum for construction applications. © 2021 Elsevier B.V