Abstract

STRUBINGER, Adelitza; MORALES, Fernando  and  APONTE, Keysler. Environmental risk and use of fcc spent catalyst in mortars mixtures. Rev. Fac. Ing. UCV [online]. 2014, vol.29, n.4, pp.93-106. ISSN 0798-4065.

The spent catalyst of catalytic cracking process is a serious environmental problem due to the presence of heavy metals in their own formulation and contamination with Ni, V and / or polyaromatic hydrocarbons. In this paper the pozzolanic properties and environmental risk due the incorporation of this residue in mortars were evaluated. To curing times of 28 days, the pozzolanic activity was evidenced by the consumption of up to 70% of Portlandite in hydration cement and a pozzolanic index > 75% was ensured for cement replacement for up to 20%. The use of spent catalyst assessed for this purpose does not represent a significant environmental risk. Results show that regulations are not exceeded in leachate to Annex D of Decree 2635 and the 16 USEPA concentration of priority PAHs were found below the detection limit of 0.01 mg/kg. The total concentration of Cr and V in the sample of spent FCC catalyst exceeds by 10% the regulations of Annex C of Decree 2635. However, the maximum contribution of the material in mortars is 4% mass, so the metals concentrations in that mortar would always be under the established in this Annex, as well as specific levels of risk assessment of USEPA (1996) and the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil (2005). In summary, the use of this spent catalyst as a partial replacement of cement is technically feasible and does not represents a significant risk. This fact is very important in Venezuela because it allows the recovery of industrial waste since it would reduce the consumption of cement as well as helps protect the environment important because it allows the recovery of industrial waste as it would reduce the consumption of cement as well as help protect the environment.

Keywords : Catalyst; FCC; Waste; Residue; Pozzolanic; Cement; Environment; Mortar.

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