Abstract
Lead-acid batteries are the largest worldwide use of lead. Conventional recycling (95% in UK) produces harmful by-products. Recent environmental legislation has led to increased costs, due to the energy required, and the requirement to dispose of the waste products. A new innovative process in which the waste sulphuric acid (H2SO4) from the batteries is neutralised with the aid of either calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) or calcium carbonate (CaCO3) will produce gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O), a valuable product in plasterboard and cement production. The suitability of the gypsum produced depends greatly on the purity, crystal shape, crystal size and moisture content. Experimental work was undertaken to investigate the structural and morphological characteristics of the gypsum produced with respect to changes in the reaction conditions. This allowed the production of a scientific rationale and model for the production of high quality gypsum which was validated in a pilot plant. The analytical techniques used to characterise the gypsum were X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies |
Editors | Y-M. Chun, P. Claisse, T.R. Naik, E. Ganjian |
Place of Publication | London |
Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
Pages | 189-201 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780415446891 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Bibliographical note
The full text of this item is not available from the repository. Paper presented at the conference on sustainable construction materials and technologies, held 11-13 June 2007, Coventry, UK.Keywords
- lead-acid batteries
- recycling