Recycling of spent fluid catalytic cracking catalyst in cementitious composites

Abstract

One of the approaches to reduce CO2 emission generating by cementitious industry is to use supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst is a material used in oil-refining processes, showing high chemical activity. Spent FCC catalyst, which disposal is mainly limited to landfilling, providing considerable environmental risk and utilization costs, can be considered as a promising pozzolanic material using as a cement substitute. In present paper cement pastes with the use of spent FCC catalyst as a partial cement substitute within the range of 0-25%, were prepared and studied regarding both their fresh and hardened-state performances. Tests included slump flow, compressive strength, flexural strength and water absorptivity in the case of cement pastes. The results showed that the aforementioned properties of cement pastes prepared with its appropriate addition were found to be comparable with the adequate of plain cement ones. It is worth mentioned that such applicability of spent refinery catalyst might ensure numerous benefits both for construction and petrochemical sector, contributing to sustainable development.