All-industrial solid waste cemented phosphogypsum: a high-performance and cost-effective alternative for mining backfill application
摘要
This study introduced a novel all-industrial solid waste cemented phosphogypsum (PG) backfill material (SWPB) composed of PG, ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), fly ash (FA), and calcium carbide slag (CS), addressing the dual challenges of high energy consumption/costs and workability-strength balance in PG-based backfill systems. Orthogonal experiments revealed that PG content controls setting time and unconfined compressive strength (UCS), solid content governs fluidity, and stabilizer content manages bleeding. Microstructural analysis identified C-A-S–H, AFt, and CH as primary hydration products, with alkaline activation dissolving GGBS and FA to release reactive ions for strength development, while PG-dissolved sulfate promotes AFt formation. A multi-objective optimization model yielded an optimal mix proportion (PG content = 65%, GGBS/FA = 0.43, solid content = 74%, stabilizer content = 0.036%) that achieved superior performance (4.80% bleeding, 18.29 cm fluidity, 27.24 h initial setting time and 3499.41 kPa 28-day UCS) with 33.33–77.78% cost reduction versus conventional systems. The UCS evolution exhibited time-dependent characteristics, where initial hydration products effectively fill pore spaced to improve microstructure compactness, while prolonged curing may lead to localized microcracking. The key innovations of this research include a complete solid-waste utilization strategy that eliminates cement requirements, providing both a sustainable and high-performance alternative for mining backfill applications.