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Red Mud from the Aluminium Industry: Production, Characteristics, and Alternative Applications in Construction Materials—A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Nathália C. G. Silveira

    (Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil)

  • Maysa L. F. Martins

    (Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil
    Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Department of Materials Engineering, Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil)

  • Augusto C. S. Bezerra

    (Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Department of Materials Engineering, Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil
    Federal Center for Technological Education of Minas Gerais, Department of Transports Engineering, Belo Horizonte 30421-169, MG, Brazil)

  • Fernando G. S. Araújo

    (Department of Materials Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil
    Department in Engineering and Continuing Education-DEPEC of the Gorceix Foundation, Ouro Preto 35400-000, MG, Brazil)

Abstract

About 120 million tons of red mud is produced worldwide each year. Due to its high basicity and potential leaching, its storage is a critical environmental problem. This material is typically stored in dams, which demands prior care of the disposal area and includes monitoring and maintenance throughout its useful life. Consequently, it is crucial to figure out an industrial solution able to consumes large volumes of this material. At this moment, there are several studies, the majority in metallurgical procedures, building materials, and in the chemical industry, discussing how to reuse red mud. This paper provides a review of the aluminium process, including metal importance, its global production, and the environmental impact due to its manufacture process. It presents a review of the potential application of red mud showing its overall generation, some relevant characterisation results collected from the literature, and its utilisation in diverse areas of engineering. The study aimed to highlight applications where red mud characteristics may be favourable.

Suggested Citation

  • Nathália C. G. Silveira & Maysa L. F. Martins & Augusto C. S. Bezerra & Fernando G. S. Araújo, 2021. "Red Mud from the Aluminium Industry: Production, Characteristics, and Alternative Applications in Construction Materials—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-21, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12741-:d:681667
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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