The use of waste materials in the microwave technology of lightweight aggregates production

Project title: The use of waste materials in the microwave technology of lightweight aggregates production

Agreement number: POIR.04.01.04-00-0019/20-00

Priority: 4.1 Research and development works

Project implementation period: 01.01.2021 - 31.07.2023

Project value: 3 160 267,50 PLN

Principal Investigator: dr hab. inż. Małgorzata Franus

Abstract: The project is part of the scientific discipline of civil engineering and transport. It concerns the utilization of selected wastes for the production of lightweight aggregates on the use of electromagnetic microwave radiation. Wastes which will be used in the project are: sewage sludge, fly ashes and spent sorbents after sorption of petroleum substances. The thermal treatment process will be based on the use of electromagnetic microwave radiation. The effect of the project implementation will be the possibility of producing lightweight aggregates from waste materials on a semi-technical scale. It will be possible thanks to the design and demonstration installation created as a result of research works. The project includes industrial research, which consists of three stages: (i) chemical and mineralogical characteristics of selected waste materials, (ii) development of the composition of expanded clay mass and granulation technology, (iii) assessment of the impact of microwave proces parameters on aggregate properties. Additionally, the experimental development works are planned consisting of another three stages: (iv) design of a demonstration installation for production of aggregates, (v) construction of a demonstration line for aggregates production, and (vi) assessment of physico-mechanical properties of obtained aggregates followed by the research on potential directions of their application. Implementation of the project will contribute to reducing the amount of harmful waste to the environment, which is part of the currently adopted strategy for the development of the circular economy.