Evaluación de alternativas para valorización de borras salinas de una planta química.
Loading...
Date
2025
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
La industria química genera una cantidad significativa de residuos, como la borra de salmuera, un subproducto del tratamiento primario de salmuera en plantas cloro-soda. Este residuo, compuesto principalmente por carbonato de calcio (CaCO3), sílice (SiO2), y otras impurezas, actualmente se dispone en vertederos, representando un costo significativo y desaprovechando su potencial de revalorización. En el contexto de la economía circular y la sostenibilidad ambiental, esta investigación evalúa la viabilidad de reutilizar la borra de salmuera como aditivo en mezclas de mortero.
El estudio incluyó tres etapas principales: caracterización del residuo, identificación de opciones de revalorización, y evaluación experimental. La caracterización reveló un contenido predominante de CaCO3 (31%) y SiO2 (10%), además de propiedades fisicoquímicas favorables como un pH alcalino y una granulometría fina. Se confeccionaron mezclas de mortero con diferentes porcentajes de adición de borra (0%, 2,5%, 5% y 10%), evaluándose su trabajabilidad y propiedades mecánicas mediante ensayos de flexión y compresión.
Los resultados demostraron que una adición del 2,5% de borra optimiza la trabajabilidad y aumenta las resistencias mecánicas: un 9,6% en compresión y un 10,5% en flexión tras 28 días de curado. Adiciones mayores, como el 10%, mostraron disminuciones en la densidad y la resistencia a la compresión, sugiriendo limitaciones en la cantidad de borra incorporada. Estas conclusiones resaltan el potencial de la borra de salmuera como un recurso para materiales de construcción, promoviendo una gestión de residuos más sostenible.
Estas conclusiones resaltan que la borra de salmuera presenta una oportunidad significativa para darle una segunda vida, transformándola en un recurso util para la industria de la construcción, y contribuyendo a una gestión de residuos más sostenible y eficiente.
The chemical industry generates significant amounts of waste, such as brine sludge, a byproduct of the primary brine treatment in chlor-alkali plants. This residue, primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), silica (SiO2), and other impurities, is currently disposed of in landfills, incurring significant costs and failing to exploit its potential for valorization. In the context of a circular economy and environmental sustainability, this research evaluates the feasibility of reusing brine sludge as filler in mortar mixtures. The study encompassed three main stages: residue characterization, identification of valorization options, and experimental evaluation. Characterization revealed a predominant content of CaCO3 (31%) and SiO2 (10%), along with favorable physicochemical properties such as alkaline pH and fine granulometry. Mortar mixtures with varying sludge additions (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were prepared and tested for workability and mechanical properties through flexural and compressive strength tests. Results demonstrated that a 2.5% sludge addition optimizes workability and increases mechanical strengths: a 9.6% improvement in compression and a 10.5% increase in flexural strength after 28 days of curing. Higher additions, such as 10%, resulted in decreased density and compressive strength, indicating limitations in the amount of sludge that can be incorporated. These findings reveals that brine sludge represents a significant opportunity to repurpose industrial waste, transforming it into a useful resource for the construction industry and promoting more sustainable and efficient waste management practices.
The chemical industry generates significant amounts of waste, such as brine sludge, a byproduct of the primary brine treatment in chlor-alkali plants. This residue, primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), silica (SiO2), and other impurities, is currently disposed of in landfills, incurring significant costs and failing to exploit its potential for valorization. In the context of a circular economy and environmental sustainability, this research evaluates the feasibility of reusing brine sludge as filler in mortar mixtures. The study encompassed three main stages: residue characterization, identification of valorization options, and experimental evaluation. Characterization revealed a predominant content of CaCO3 (31%) and SiO2 (10%), along with favorable physicochemical properties such as alkaline pH and fine granulometry. Mortar mixtures with varying sludge additions (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were prepared and tested for workability and mechanical properties through flexural and compressive strength tests. Results demonstrated that a 2.5% sludge addition optimizes workability and increases mechanical strengths: a 9.6% improvement in compression and a 10.5% increase in flexural strength after 28 days of curing. Higher additions, such as 10%, resulted in decreased density and compressive strength, indicating limitations in the amount of sludge that can be incorporated. These findings reveals that brine sludge represents a significant opportunity to repurpose industrial waste, transforming it into a useful resource for the construction industry and promoting more sustainable and efficient waste management practices.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniero/a en Civil Químico/a.
Keywords
Industrias químicas, Aprovechamiento de desechos, Sustentabilidad, Economía circular