Valorisation of phosphogypsum as building material: Radiological aspects

H. Tayibi; C. Gascó; N. Navarro; A. López-Delgado; A. Álvarez; L. Yagüe; F. J. Alguacil; F. A. López

doi:10.3989/mc.2010.58910

Authors

H. Tayibi Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM, CSIC), Madrid
C. Gascó Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid
N. Navarro Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid
A. López-Delgado Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM, CSIC), Madrid
A. Álvarez Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid
L. Yagüe Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid
F. J. Alguacil Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM, CSIC), Madrid
F. A. López Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Metalúrgicas (CENIM, CSIC), Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2010.58910

Keywords:

Phosphogypsum, natural radioactivity, TENORM, building materials, sulphur concrete

Abstract

Nowadays, alternative uses of phosphogypsum (PG) in the building industry are being considered in several countries; however, the natural radioactivity level in the PG could be a restriction for those uses. United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) classified PG as Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM). This drawback could be avoided controlling its percentage in the cement preparation and the radionuclides content in the other raw materials used in its production, and calculating the activity concentration index (I) in the final by-products. The valorization of PG as a building material has been studied, from a radiological point of view, by developing a new stabilisation/solidification process. PG is incorporated within a polymeric sulphur matrix, obtaining a concrete-like material, which presents lower natural radioactive content than the initial PG. The 226Ra content of this material ranged between 26-27 Bq·kg-1 and it is quite similar to that of common Spanish building materials.

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