Low-Calcium, Porous, Alkali-Activated Materials as Novel pH Stabilizers for Water Media

Abstract

Due to the increase of water consumption, water treatment systems become more actual and innovative materials for water treatment are welcomed. Traditionally, alkalizing agents, such as lime or caustic soda, have been employed to increase the pH levels, which induce chemical clarification of wastewater. Some innovative ideas of using low-calcium, alkali-activated materials (AAM) for this purpose have been considered previously. In this study, the low-calcium, porous, alkali-activated material (pAAM) was characterized to understand the impact of the aluminum silicate source and heat treatment on basic properties for material that might be used in water treatment systems as a softener by stabilizing the pH. The studied porous alkali-activated materials may ensure stable and long-lasting (30 days) pH (pH 10.3–11.6) in water media depending on the composition and amount of activation solution used for AAM preparation. Heat treatment does not have an impact on the mineralogical composition and structural properties of the pAAM, but it does change the leaching ability of alkalis from the material structure.

Keywords

• porous alkali-activated materials
• pH stabilizing
• zeolites