Influence of Gases on the Modification of Steel Slag: Insights into Phase Evolution, Reaction Pathways and Utilization Potential
摘要
Steel slag (SS), a major by-product of the steel-making industry, faces limited utilization due to its poor stability and low magnetic iron content. This study systematically investigates the effects of gaseous modifiers, CO2 and a CO2 + water vapor mixture, on the free calcium oxide (f-CaO) content and magnetic iron enrichment in SS. Treatment with CO2 and CO2 + water vapor mixture at 850°C for 30 min enhances the decomposition of f-CaO, achieving digestion efficiencies of 68.13% and 76.31%, respectively. The combined CO2 + water vapor mixture treatment exhibits superior reactivity toward SS compared to CO2 alone. SS modified with the CO2 + water vapor mixture exhibits a reduced particle size, thereby enhancing its reactivity and performance. Thermodynamic analyses are consistent with experimental results, confirming that the reaction kinetics of f-CaO digestion in the presence of CO2 or CO2 + water vapor mixture are predominantly diffusion-controlled. The incorporation of 30% SS treated with CO2 + water vapor mixture into cement significantly enhances its mechanical performance compared to cement blended with untreated SS or SS treated with CO2 alone. Notably, the 28-day compressive strength reaches 45 MPa.