Investigation of the Use of Industrial By-Products in Cement Production Instead of Gypsum

In this project's scope, the answer to whether phosphogypsum can be used as a clinker substitute in cement production as a substitute for gypsum is sought by considering both environmental and economic factors.  

By using industrial wastes in cement production, it is aimed to reduce the costs related to the supply of gypsum.  

Gypsum is a mineral that containing calcium and sulfate used in the construction industry. Phosphogypsum is a by-product of the phosphoric acid production process, and its chemical composition is the same as gypsum. Phosphoric acid producers treat and store this by-product as waste. On the other hand, gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral. It does not have any negative impact on the environment if necessary; precautions are taken in terms of mining activities. However, the phosphogypsum that is produced during the phosphoric acid production process is not pure. In this study, the physical properties of clinker-gypsum and clinker-phosphogypsum mixtures prepared in different proportions will be investigated. Moreover, the chemical and mineralogical properties of gypsum and phosphogypsum used in comparison studies will be determined to show that phosphogypsum can be used instead of gypsum in cement production.