Comparison of Kambara reactor slag with blast furnace slag for Portland cement industry applications

This work was aimed at comparing the physical and chemical properties of the Kambara Reactor Slag (KRS) and a Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) for achieving partial substitution of GBFS for the KRS. The KRS and GBFS were characterized by chemical, mineralogical, thermal, granulometric, visual, and microscopic analyses, which included the determination of the unit weight, pH, and ability to be ground. The KRS had lower concentrations of SiO2, Al2O3, and MgO and higher percentages of total Fe and Fe° than the GBFS. Moreover, compared to the GBFS, it was crystalline (the GBFS was amorphous); had a larger specific area with a final fraction of 150 μm, higher unit weight, and predominantly spherical particles; and was more alkaline. Thus, the KRS is a by-product that may be useful for Portland cement manufacturing; however, the thermal, mechanical, or chemical activations will be needed to attain the cement requirements.