Klinker phases of different waste types and its effects on strength

Turkish Cement Industry can use all waste types as alternative fuel or raw materials in its facilities for energy requirements and disposal purposes, according to their waste incineration license capacities. It is of great importance in terms of preventing environmental pollution and saving energy by reducing the consumption of natural resources through the use of alternative fuels and raw materials. Alternative fuels can generally be grouped under packaging waste, textile waste, treatment sludge, waste oil, bilge waste from ship dismantling facilities, end-of-life tires, solvent and paint groups. Alternative raw materials can be evaluated in the categories of waste obtained from mines, heat treatment waste such as tile-brick shards, and construction waste. The aim of this study is to contribute to the circular economy by observing the effects on clinker strength while meeting the energy need from alternative fuels. For this purpose, pre-use analysis of the waste used in a selected cement factory in 2022-2023, its effects on clinker chemistry and strength were examined. End-of-life tires are preferred as alternative fuels due to their low variability and high calorie content. In addition, packaging waste and waste obtained from windmill blades are also used. These alternative fuels are subjected to fragmentation as a pre-treatment. Following the disintegration process, it is included in the combustion process by being fed directly from the calciner. In this thesis study, the changing clinker chemistry and strength effects with the direct infiltration of the ashes released by the burning of alternative fuels used at different rates into the clinker structure and its differences from fossil fuels will be examined. In addition, considering that the effects of different alternative fuels will be different, the types will be analyzed separately and their effects will be evaluated separately. In this process, an optimum raw material recipe proposal will be prepared for the optimum fuel blend by using test devices such as XRF, XRD, optical microscope, ICP, calorimeter, carbon-sulfur. The cost factor will be evaluated and its effects on the environment will be observed.