ABSTRACT
The rapid increase in world population in the last century has generated an increasing demand for raw materials, as well as an ever-growing production of municipal solid waste (MSW). Previous studies used cement to stabilise by-products resulting from the incineration of MSW, adding to the overall environmental toll, due to the high CO2-eq associated with cement manufacturing. The present study targets the stabilisation/activation of the fly (FA) and bottom ash (BA) generated during incineration of MSW, using alkaline activation. Both precursors were milled and activated independently, using sodium hydroxide or sodium silicate solution. To establish a reference, the BA were also stabilised with Portland cement, and the analysis was based on uniaxial compression strength test, ultrasonic pulse velocity measurements and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that milled FA and BA resulting from incinerated MSW constitute an effective precursor for alkaline activation reactions, generating a competitive and more sustainable binder.
