Rapid Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Bayer Red Mud by a Polymerization Degree Method: Correlations with Alkali Dissolution of (Si+Al) and Strength

Abstract

A large amount of Bayer process red mud is discharged in the process of alumina production, which has caused significant pollution in the environment. The pozzolanic activity of Bayer red mud as a supplementary cementitious material is a research hotspot. In this work, a new method for Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry is used to determine the polymerization degree of Bayer red mud in order to evaluate its pozzolanic activity. Based on the results of the dissolution concentration of (Si+Al), strength index and polymerization degree of Bayer red mud, the relationships between different evaluation methods were analyzed, and the relevant calculation formulas of pozzolanic activity were obtained. The results showed that different evaluation methods can reflect the variation law of pozzolanic activity in Bayer red mud. The polymerization degree of Bayer red mud had a good linear relationship with the pozzolanic activity index obtained by the strength index and dissolution concentration of (Si+Al), respectively. The polymerization degree was negatively correlated with pozzolanic activity index and dissolution concentration of (Si+Al), and the correlation coefficients were greater than 0.85. Therefore, this method was found to be effective and hence can be used as a rapid and simple test for pozzolanic activity evaluation of Bayer red mud.