Obtención de hormigón y mortero a partir del catalizador agotado de la unidad de craqueo catalítico fluidizado de la Refinería Esmeraldas como adición puzolánica

Abstract

The present project aims to evaluate if the spent FCC catalyst can be applied as pozzolanic addition for concrete and mortar. The mechanical properties were evaluated in specimens in which cement was replaced with different parts of spent catalyst: 5, 10, 15 and 20 %. These properties were: fineness, autoclave expansion, setting time, air content, compressive strength, heat of hydration, water requirement, drying shrinkage, mortar expansion, resistance to sulfate attack, and metal leaching through TCLP test. The optimum replacement percentage was 10 %. The setting time of fresh concrete decreased by 14 %. The autoclave expansion for concrete and mortar was reduced in 0,15 and 0,05 % respectively. The air content in concrete and mortar was lower than 1,5 % as established in the proportioning procedure. The compressive strength of concrete made with spent catalyst as replacement was 99,04 % in relation to that of conventional concrete. The heat of hydration was 21,5 % higher than the control specimen, and it did not meet the INEN 490 requirement. The samples with spent catalyst addition improved their drying shrinkage by 14 % and their resistance to sulfate attack was 9,5 % higher.