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Ferroaluminate cement is widely used in marine engineering applications owing to the remarkable durability and strength of its main hydrate, Al(Fe)–ettringite. The structure and performance of Al(Fe)–ettringite still require extensive exploration. An Al(Fe)–ettringite molecular model containing different Fe contents (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%) was developed via Materials Studio. Radial distribution functions, time-correlated functions, and mean square displacement were used to analyze the structure of Al(Fe)–ettringite, after which Al(Fe)– ettringite was prepared using a coprecipitation method. The hydration of Al(Fe)–ye'elimite, the nanoindentation testing, and compressive strength of four ettringite types were assessed to facilitate a comparison with the simulation results. Increasing the Fe content resulted in increased lattice size and density. Fe atoms mainly reacted with Ohs atoms to form Fe–Ohs bonds, resulting in an increased Fe–Ohs bond length, with the Fe atom density resulting in volume expansion and increased density in Al(Fe)–ettringite. At 25% Fe content, the number of Hw–Ow hydrogen bonds in Al(Fe)–ettringite was 1166.14, the MSD value was 1.53 Å2, and the water molecules diffused the fastest. The improved macromechanical properties obtained by adding Fe atoms demonstrate that Fe atom substitution can enhance the ettringite structure. The experimental results validated the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collaborative disposal of sludge has been applied extensively in cement industry kilns, but the influence of organic components in sludge on the selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) denitrification is still in highly demanding. This paper focuses the influence of ethanol, n-octane, benzene, and acetone on the SNCR denitrification, and the influence of ethanol are analyzed on SNCR denitrification under different flue gas condition. The result showed that the presence of organic components reduces the reaction temperature of SNCR. When the temperature of SNCR reaction is at 750 ~ 800 ℃, the denitrification rate of four organic components is ethanol > benzene > n-octane > acetone. The optimum denitrification rate on SNCR can reach as high as 90.377% when the reaction condition is the NH3/NO is 1; the ethanol concentration is 1000 ppm; O2 concentration is 2%; and temperature is 750 ℃. The presence of carbon dioxide inhibits the denitrification reaction. With the increase of temperature, the influence of SO2 on the denitrification reaction first increases and then decreases. In this paper, the influence of organic components in sludge on SNCR denitrification will be analyzed, which provides a theoretical basis for the selection of sludge dosing method for cement kiln collaborative disposal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two types of liquid alkali-free accelerators were prepared by aluminum sulfate (AF1) and aluminum mud wastes (AF2), and the life cycle assessment (LCA) in the preparation of AF1 and AF2 was compared. The LCA was considered from cradle to gate including raw materials used, transportation, and accelerator preparation based on the method ReCiPe2016. The results indicated that AF1 had a higher environmental impact in all midpoint impact categories and endpoint indicators than that of AF2, and AF2 reduced 43.59% emission of CO2, 59.09% emission of SO2, 71% consumption of mineral resources, and 46.67% consumption of fossil resources than that of AF1 respectively. As an environment-friendly accelerator, AF2 had a better application performance than traditional accelerator AF1. When the dosage of accelerators was 7%, the initial setting times of cement pastes containing AF1 and AF2 were 4 min 57 s and 4 min 04 s respectively, the final setting times of cement pastes containing AF1 and AF2 were 11 min 49 s and 9 min 53 s respectively, and the compressive strengths at 1 d of mortars containing AF1 and AF2 were 7.35 MPa and 8.33 MPa respectively. This study aims to provide technical feasibility and environmental impact assessment for exploring new avenues of preparing environment-friendly liquid alkali-free accelerators with aluminum mud solid wastes. It has great potential in reducing carbon and pollution emissions and has a greater competitive advantage due to great application performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of leafy vegetables grown in heavy metal(loid)-polluted mining areas pose serious health risks. This study aimed to explore the heavy metal(loid) contamination of leafy vegetables near two mining areas, by collecting samples from 14 different leafy vegetable species in Yunnan Province, China. The lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and copper (Cu) contents of the samples were determined, and risks to human health were calculated using the hazard quotient and hazard index (HI). Moreover, Malabar spinach was identified as a leafy vegetable that exhibits low accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s. The accumulation capacity of different Malabar spinach varieties was verified, and a Cd soil safety threshold was determined using a pot experiment. Overall, Pb and Cd were the main soil and vegetable contaminants found in both study sites. The HI values for all leafy vegetables, apart from Malabar spinach, were greater than 1, indicating the presence of risks to human health; moreover, the health risks were greater for children than adults. The Malabar spinach pot experiment results showed that only some Cd forms exceeded China's maximum permissible standards. Furthermore, Malabar spinach varieties A (instant Malabar spinach), C (extra-large leaf green vine Malabar spinach), and F (large leaf Malabar spinach) displayed the lowest Cd accumulation. We calculated Cd total and bioavailable soil safety thresholds of 4.75 and 0.77 mg kg-1, respectively. However, further research is required to validate soil heavy metal safety thresholds for different vegetables. Ultimately, the heavy metal(loid) contamination of leafy vegetables described here was more serious than anticipated. Finally, the results of this study can inform residents living near these mining areas of a low-risk leafy vegetable, which will reduce the harm caused by heavy metal(loid) contamination in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ca(OH)2, a widely available and low-cost calcium-based desulfurizer, needs further improvement in calcium utilization in flue gas desulfurization. In this experiment, Ca(OH)2 crystals with different morphologies were prepared by doping impurity ions including SO42− and SiO32− by precipitation method, which played directing role in the process of crystal growth. The prepared Ca(OH)2 crystals were applied to cement kiln flue gas desulfurization environment to investigate the effect of crystal morphology on flue gas desulfurization. The observed results illustrated that Ca(OH)2 prepared by SO42− as impurity ion in hexagonal plate shape presents the best desulfurization performance with desulfurization efficiency up to 93%. The structural characterization of Ca(OH)2 crystals by XRD and SEM, and the investigation of the reasons for desulfurization by BET, EDS, and XPS showed that the hexagonal plate-shaped Ca(OH)2 crystals increased the specific surface area and had the highest elemental sulfur content of 5.04% on the (100) crystal plane, and the high surface energy on the (100) plane led to the high reactivity. This confirms the guiding significance of hexagonal plate-like morphology for improving the desulfurization performance of Ca(OH)2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of cement-based materials in engineering requires the understanding of their characteristics and subsequent deformation and fracture process of C–S–H gel in service. In this work, three types of amine molecules including tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), polyacrylamide (PAM), and triethanolamine (TEA) were intercalated into C–S–H gel in an unsaturated status successfully. Systematical analysis was performed on the structures and properties for both C–S–H gel and corresponding amine molecules/C–S–H gel. It was found that the unsaturated intercalation of amine molecules into C–S–H gel plays a key role in the geometry and therein density of nanocomposites. Subsequently, radial distribution function (RDF), time-correlated function (TCF), and mean square displacement (MSD) were applied to characterize the structure and dynamic information of the as-generated nanocomposites, demonstrating the occurrence of interaction between amine molecules with Ca–Si layer and acceleration of water diffusion by unsaturated intercalation of amine molecules into the interlayer region in C–S–H gel. Finally, the deformation and fracture process of C–S–H gel and amine molecules/C–S–H gel under uniaxial tensile loads were given by molecular dynamics simulation. It was indicated that the tangent modulus of nanocomposites demonstrates a strain-softening nature, indicating a visco-elastic behavior. The breakage of Ca–O bonds and hydrogen bonds dominates the fracture of C–S–H gel. Weak interaction for TEPA/C–S–H gel or TEA/C–S–H gel leads to a decreased tensile strength. Local stress concentration in other interlayer region governs the deformation and fracture process in spite of the formation of strong interaction between double bonded polar oxygen atoms in PAM molecules and Ca atoms in C–S–H gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to quantify the resource consumption intensity of cement clinker production using natural mineral in China and to determine the influence of the utilization of calcium carbide sludge (CCS) for cement clinker production on the resource-accounting result. Methods: Exergy-based resource accounting method was adopted by this study. Cumulative exergy demand (CExD) was used to characterize the resource consumption intensity of cement clinker production using natural mineral in China. Exergy-based characterization factors of land resource and CO2 emission were employed to determine the resource benefit brought by the substitution of CCS for natural limestone (land saving and CO2 reduction). Results and discussion: The CExD value of cement clinker production using natural mineral as raw material in China is 5005 MJ/t, and the consumption of raw coal is the largest contributor to this result, accounting for approximately 81% of the CExD value. The phenomenon that coal consumption dominates the CExD result may be because, through combustion reactions, the chemical state of carbon contained in coal almost reaches equilibrium with its chemical dead state in terms of exergy and is deeply dissipated; in comparison, the major chemical compound contained in limestone, i.e., calcium oxide, is mostly transformed into cement clinker by the reactions occurred in the production system, instead of being consumed in a deeply dissipated way and emitted to the environment. The major disadvantage of using CCS for cement clinker production is the increase of coal consumption, i.e., 515 MJ/t cement clinker, and the major advantage of using CCS for cement clinker production is the resource benefit brought by CO2 reduction (the avoided biotic resource damage in ecosystem), i.e., 1160 MJ/t cement clinker. Conclusions: From the analysis on the influence of the substitution of CCS for limestone on the resource consumption intensity, we found that the resource consumption intensity of the production system using CCS is approximately 15.5% lower than that of the production system using natural mineral; however, if this resource benefit is neglected, the resource consumption intensity of the production system using CCS is approximately 7.6% higher than that of the production system using natural mineral. We suggest that establishing a theoretical bridge between the characterization models of biotic resource and abiotic resource will still be a significant research direction in the future, which is fundamental in objectively understanding and unifying the issues of emission reduction and resource saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal absorption properties and kinetic model of Cr (VI) and Cr (III) onto ettringite were investigated using the batch adsorption method. IR analysis was used to study the difference and mechanism of the adsorption of chromium ions with different valence states. The results show that the adsorption of Cr(III) onto ettringite at 20 °C agrees with Langmuir's isothermal model. The ion binding stability was significantly greater than that of Cr (VI). While the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto ettringite agrees with Freundlich's isothermal model, the D-R model fits the adsorption isotherms of two types of valence Cr (R2> O.994). It can be concluded that the adsorption of Cr (III) onto ettringite is mainly by chemical adsorption and that the adsorption of Cr (VI) onto ettringite is mainly by physical adsorption. Dynamic model fitting and model parameter analyses show that the adsorption of Cr (III) onto ettringite agrees with the pseudo second order kinetics model given by Lagergren. The formation of chemical bonds is the main factor causing the fast adsorption. Cr (VI) adsorption is mainly dominated by liquid film diffusion, and the adsorption rate is much slower than that of Cr (III) adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compressive stress and tensile stress were applied to concrete specimens using test rigs designed by RILEM TC 246-TDC. Ultrasonic wave velocity and autoclam permeability system were used to characterize the damage variable and gas permeability coefficient of concrete, respectively. The experimental results show that the strain value of concrete increases with the increasing of stress level and loading time. The damage variable and gas permeability coefficient of concrete under compressive stress decrease at first and increase after a threshold value between 0 and 0.6. When the concrete is under tensile load, the damage variable and gas permeability coefficient increase with tensile stress, with a significant increase from 0.3 to 0.6 tensile stress. There is a strong linear relationship between the damage variable and the gas permeability coefficient, suggesting both as good indicators to characterize the damage of concrete under stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urea formaldehyde/epoxy resin microcapsules were prepared by an in situ polymerization method and the effect of emulsifier on the syntheses process of the microcapsules was discussed. The surface morphology of the microcapsules was observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal stability was obtained using simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). The microcapsules were composed of urea-formaldehyde resin shell and epoxy resin core. Emulsifier played an important role in the polymerization process when the core material was packed by pre-polymer, so the effects of different emulsifiers (OP-10, SDS and SDBS) were discussed respectively. Results showed that the particle size of the microcapsules was uniform when SDBS as an emulsifier. Microcapsules showed good thermal stability below 240 °C and the initial decomposition temperature of the microcapsules was 265 °C. The core materials released after microcapsules rupturing, which could be proven by the images of SEM. When implanted in cementitious composites, complete shape of microcapsules and good interface between microcapsules and cement specimen substrate could also be observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Cement production is associated with a considerable environmental load, which needs to be fully understood before effective measures can be taken. The existing literature did not give detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) study of China and had limited potential for investigating how best available techniques (BATs) would provide a maximum benefit when they are applied in China. Japan was selected as a good example to achieve better environmental performance of cement production. We identified potentials for reducing emissions and saving energy and natural resources in Chinese cement industry through the comparative analysis. Methods: This paper follows the principal of Life Cycle Assessment and International Reference Life Cycle Data System ( ILCD). The functional units are '1 t of portland cement' and with 42.5 MPa of strength grade. The input (limestone, sandstone, ferrous tailings, coal, and electricity) and output (CO from limestone decomposition and coal combustion, NOx, PM, and SO) of cement manufacturing were calculated by use of on-site measurements, calculation by estimated coefficients, and derivation by mass and heat balance principle. The direct (cement manufacturing) and indirect (electricity production) LCI are added to be total LCI results (cement production). The impact categories of global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), photochemical oxidant formation potential (POCP), and human toxicity potential (HTP) are used to calculate environmental impact. Results and discussion: Only in GWP of cement manufacturing China has advantage. Japanese cement industry shows remarkable superiorities in the environmental impacts of AP, POCP, HTP, and EP due to advanced technologies. SO emissions make the corresponding AP and HTP. PM emissions result in part of HTP. The NOx emissions are the major contributors of POCP, AP, EP, and HTP in China. China emits fewer CO emissions (2.09 %) in cement manufacturing than Japan but finally makes higher total GWP than Japan due to more GWP of electricity generation in power stations. The waste heat recovery technology can save electricity but bring more coal use and CO emissions. The alternative fuel and raw materials usage and denitration and de-dust technologies can relieve the environmental load. Using the functional unit with the strength grade, the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) results are affected. Conclusions: LCA study allows a clear understanding from the view of total environmental impact rather than by the gross domestic product (GDP) unit from an economic development perspective. In an LCA study, the power generation should be considered in the life cycle of cement production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional alumina-silicate raw materials, for example, clays, in the precalcining technique of cement production, have been replaced by low grade and high silica content sandstones, shales, and industrial waste residues, including fly ashes, slag, and others. The results are the change of compositions and characteristics of raw materials applied and a great effect on cement calcination process and clinker formation. In this work, the cement clinker formation process of different alumina-silicate raw materials to replace clay raw material was studied by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and high temperature microscope based on the characteristics of the alumina-silicate raw materials. The formation heat of the clinker was determined by the acid dissolution method. Influence of different alumina-silicate raw materials on the clinker burnability and formation process was studied. The results show that the changing of alumina-silicate raw materials, especially using industrial waste residues, can reduce the formation temperature of high temperature liquid phases, improve the burnability of raw materials, reduce the formation temperature and formation heat of clinker. And this study also observed the formation temperature and transformation of high temperature liquid phases in the heating process of raw materials by high temperature microscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  β-1,3-Glucanases are a group of pathogenesis-related proteins that have been reported to be involved in plant defense against pathogens in many other plant-pathogen systems. However, it was not clear if these genes play similar role in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) against Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), the stripe rust pathogen. To investigate the role of β-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.39) in the resistance response of wheat (cv. Suwon 11) to stripe rust, a wheat β-1,3-glucanase gene induced by Pst, designated as TaGlu, was cloned and characterized. TaGlu was predicted to encode a basic protein of 334 amino acids. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses revealed that the transcription of TaGlu was induced during both compatible and incompatible interactions with Pst, but the transcription level was much higher in the incompatible interaction than that in the compatible interaction. TaGlu also showed noticeable induction of gene expression in young green leaf tissues treated with salicylic acid, methyl jasmonate or ethylene. Immunogold labeling assays showed that the enzyme were localized mainly in the host cell wall and over the extrahaustorial matrix, and the labeling densities were found significantly higher in the incompatible interaction than those in the compatible interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical structures of four types of superplasticizers (SPs) and their adsorptive behaviors on β-C2S were investigated. The adsorption properties of SPs on β-C2S were measured and the relationship between the adsorption quantity and the specific surface of β-C2S was analyzed. The experimental results show that the adsorption quantity increases with the surface area increase of β-C2S, but the adsorption quantity per surface area is similar, which means that the main adsorbent is β-C2S itself. Polycarboxylic ester (PCE) showed the highest adsorption amount on β-C2S, followed by β-naphthalene sulfonates (NSF) and formaldehyde-acetone condensates sulfonates (FAS), amino sulphonate (AS) showed the least adsorption amount on β-C2S. PCE affected the surface potential of β-C2S particles in water differently in comparison with other types of SPs. The adsorption capacity of SPs on β-C2S is determined by factors such as molecular structure, functional groups and molecular weight of SPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of slow early setting and strength development is a common problem faced by natural hydraulic lime (NHL) in both historic building restoration projects and modern construction. This study aims to reveal the phase composition and microstructure of natural hydraulic lime-based materials modified by metakaolin and its effect by natural carbonation. The results demonstrate that metakaolin could promote the setting times of NHL and generally exhibit a significant enhancement effect on the mechanical strength. Additionally, the drying shrinkage of NHL mortar can be effectively reduced by adding 10% metakaolin. In terms of hydration products, C4AĈH11 and C-S-H are identified as primary products during the early stages for M-NHL mortars, along with other hydration products such as C-A-(S)-H being formed later on. At longer ages, the carbonation reactions occur primarily with C-S-H and C-A-(S)-H phases, while decomposition or transformation into other phases is more likely for C4AĈH11. Interestingly, when M-NHL mortars with 10% metakaolin, it not only promotes early hydration but also enhances long-term carbonation processes. The carbon dioxide uptake effect (~ 20% mass %) is also found significant, and the low carbon effect in the whole life cycle means that M-NHL is environmental friendly materials. The pozzolanic effect induced by metakaolin reduces macropores and refines pore size within M-NHL system, which helps maintain high pore connectivity coefficient as well as effective porosity and more effective pathways conducive to inward transportation of CO2 gas, thereby promoting the carbonation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]