On a software development
that aspires to make
residue valorisation easier
The story of the exploded excel file
A. Peys, M. Orfanakis, Y. Pontikes
History of intentions
1. Automatisation of own
calculations
People to be
reached with
software
2. Calculations in research
group – Excel tool
3. Automated calculations
in research group –
Software
4. Calculations/database
for anyone interested –
Online available software
time
2
The aspiration
Ease research/development…
…for people that believe
rightsidenews.com
that global warming is real…
…and see huuuge oportunities
in the valorisation of residues.
viktormacha.com
Trust me, their the biggest
opportunities you’ve ever seen!
3
More concrete*: The goal
*well, ideally we
make less concrete
more concrete
Centralise knowledge on the behaviour of residues as
reactive precursors in building materials
• Database of residues – treatments – database of
products (cements, concretes...)
• Support calculations
o
Tools for calculating phase composition in kiln
o
Tools for synthesis of activating solution alkali activation
o
Financial – environmental assessments
4
The goal
Centralise knowledge on the behaviour of residues as
reactive precursors in building materials
• Database of residues – treatments – database of
products
o
o
Residues/treatments from KU Leuven projects
Accredited partners
5
The goal
Centralise knowledge on the behaviour of residues as
reactive precursors in building materials
Database of residues – treatments – database of products
o
o
Residues/treatments from KU Leuven projects
Accredited partners
6
Database of residues
• Collect a database of




Chemical compositions
Industry of origin
X-ray diffraction patterns/FTIR spectra/...
Reactivity
• Example from mineralogy: RRUFF database
7
rruff.info
Database of residues
• Example from mineralogy: RRUFF database
rruff.info
8
Database of residues
• Example from mineralogy: RRUFF database
rruff.info
9
The goal
Centralise knowledge on the behaviour of residues as
reactive precursors in building materials
Database of residues – treatments – database of products
o
o
Residues/treatments from KU Leuven projects
Accredited partners
10
What treatments are included?
• Reproduce slide Yiannis
11
Slide from: Y. Pontikes, “FeCa-silicate slags: when
purpose driven research
challenges perception of
what is feasible” Inaugural
lecture 03/2017.
The goal
Centralise knowledge on the behaviour of residues as
reactive precursors in building materials
Database of residues + treatments = database of products
o
o
Residues/treatments from KU Leuven projects
Accredited partners
12
Database of products
Residue + treatment = product (cements, concretes...)


Properties (compressive strength, setting kinetics)
XRD/FTIR/... spectra
• Get inspiration from others: Materials Genome Initiative


US (Obama) initiative
Collecting data on new materials (they also provide funding)
13
Database of products
Interaction with community:
Anyone can construct his/her own database
Help in analysis of data
Use of support tools
Collection of 1 common “accredited” database
Added after check of methodology (and approval of user)
Delivering X datapoints = free use of this database
Commercial idea = pay for accredited database if not
contributing to it
14
Software: overview
15
Software: realisation
• Current SREMat homepage
16
Software: realisation
• Access to software
USE SOFTWARE
17
Sustainable Metallurgy App
your road to slag valorization
Database
Residue
database
High-temp
Clinker
synthesis
Low-temp
Inorganic
polymer
Assessment
tools
Environment
al
Blended
cement
Product
database
Slag/glass
synthesis
Database
support
High-temp
support
Economic
Concrete
Low-temp
support
Manual
Help
Support calculations
Example of database
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Sustainable Metallurgy App
your road to slag valorization
Database
Residue
database
High-temp
Clinker
synthesis
Low-temp
Inorganic
polymer
Assessment
tools
Environment
al
Blended
cement
Product
database
Slag/glass
synthesis
Database
support
High-temp
support
Economic
Concrete
Low-temp
support
Manual
Help
Support calculations
Example of hightemp module
Maximum amount of bauxite to
obtain sufficient SF or AR?
Amount of C3S for certain
mixture?
21
Sustainable Metallurgy App
your road to slag valorization
Database
Residue
database
High-temp
Clinker
synthesis
Low-temp
Inorganic
polymer
Assessment
tools
Environment
al
Blended
cement
Product
database
Slag/glass
synthesis
Database
support
High-temp
support
Economic
Concrete
Low-temp
support
Manual
Help
Support calculations
Example of high-temp support tool
Calculate melt
viscosity
Model?
Put composition
Get Viscosity (°C?)
23
Sustainable Metallurgy App
your road to slag valorization
Database
Residue
database
High-temp
Clinker
synthesis
Low-temp
Inorganic
polymer
Assessment
tools
Environment
al
Blended
cement
Product
database
Slag/glass
synthesis
Database
support
High-temp
support
Economic
Concrete
Low-temp
support
Manual
Help
Support calculations
Example of low-temp support tool (live)
25
26
Sustainable Metallurgy App
your road to slag valorization
Database
Residue
database
High-temp
Clinker
synthesis
Low-temp
Inorganic
polymer
Assessment
tools
Environment
al
Blended
cement
Product
database
Slag/glass
synthesis
Database
support
High-temp
support
Economic
Concrete
Low-temp
support
Manual
Help
Support calculations
Example of assessment tool
% of equivalent
CEM1 paste
% of equivalent
OPC concrete
28
Sustainable Metallurgy App
your road to slag valorization
Database
Residue
database
High-temp
Clinker
synthesis
Low-temp
Inorganic
polymer
Assessment
tools
Environment
al
Blended
cement
Product
database
Slag/glass
synthesis
Database
support
High-temp
support
Economic
Concrete
Low-temp
support
Manual
Help
Support calculations
Goal: Design mixture for application
Which slag,
where to find?
Binder type?
Mix
proportions?
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Instead of conclusions...
The aspiration to ease technological advancements...
Residue valorisation
Alternative binders
… by developing a software
Gradually more modules online
Ready for beta testing September 2017?
31