Study of complex processing of 10-160 mm grade chromium tailings by encapsulation in GreenCrete™ composite sulfur concrete

Abstract

In recent years, methods of utilization of lumpy mineral raw materials of chromium production by encapsulation with modified sulfur from substandard grades of oil to obtain sulfur concrete have become increasingly popular. A significant amount of lumpy waste with a low content of Cr₂O₃ (~ 5-7% w/w) is formed when Kazakhstani chrome raw materials are processed by gravitation methods, and they can only be used as backfill in mine construction or as a component in building and road-building mixtures. Wastes from chromium deposits in Kazakhstan are located in close proximity to oil deposits in the Aktobe region, which are characterized by a high content of sulfur-containing heavy oils, which can be jointly disposed of in the form of sulfur concrete. Composite material - sulfur concrete is produced based on sulfur polymer binder - GreenCrete™ modified sulfur under GOST R 56249-2014. The possibilities of the sulfur-concrete composite formation process for the use of beneficiation tails of 10-160 mm class chromium raw material as inert materials have been studied. The characteristics of the samples obtained during the tests allow us to draw conclusions about the relatively successful encapsulation of chromium production waste in an amount of 15% by weight of the sample with the formation of sulfur concrete of the M400 class, while with a 10% content of materials for enrichment of chromium raw materials, the M500 indicator was achieved.