Present Knowledge on Pre-processing of Phosphogypsum as a Building Material
摘要
Due to its extensive production and disposal problem, phosphogypsum (PG), a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry, poses serious environmental issues. An estimated 200–300 million tons of phosphogypsum are produced annually; of these, 58% are either dry- or wet-stacked, 28% are discharged into coastal waters, and only 14–15% are directly recycled, primarily as raw materials for construction projects, fertilizers, and soil stabilization techniques. When phosphogypsum is used in infrastructures, there are concerns about the environmental effects because it contains harmful materials such as heavy metals and radioactive chemicals. To lessen the negative effects of phosphogypsum on the environment, this article summarizes treatment techniques, with particular emphasis on approaches for the material's efficient use as a building material and secure disposal. The treatment options discussed in this paper include physical processes such as dewatering and solidification, chemical treatments for contaminant removal, and innovative approaches like encapsulation and conversion into useful products. The study explores the potential of several treatment approaches, emphasizing the value of sustainable phosphogypsum management approaches. This survey highlights the need for ongoing research and development in this field to promote resource utilization and environmental protection. It also offers insightful information about the current state of phosphogypsum treatment technologies through a thorough analysis of existing research and case studies. The study revealed that the physical approaches employed for the preprocessing in removing the impurities of phosphogypsum are easy and inexpensive. The calcination process for the same requires huge energy and emits Carbon dioxide. However, the calcination period and temperature can be lowered with the application of chemicals. It is also learned that a small amount of Portland cement can activate the contaminants in phosphogypsum.