Bioreceptivity of geopolymers in wastewater: preliminary comparison with conventional mortars

Author(s): Maria P. Herrling, Neven Ukrainczyk, Susanne Lackner, Jessica Nägler and Eddie Koenders
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the Final Conference of RILEM 253-MCI Microorganisms-Cementitious Materials Interactions Volume I
Editor(s): Alexandra Bertron and Henk Jonkers
ISBN: 978-2-35158-207-7 (Set)
ISBN: 978-2-35158-209-1 (Volume1)
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-206-0
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2018
Pages: 173-181
Total Pages: 288
Language : English

Abstract: This paper reports the evaluation of the ability of different mortars to be colonized by living organisms in a wastewater environment. Bioreceptivity of newly designed geopolymer mortars (GP and GP-Cu) is compared to conventional mortars based on ordinary Portland cement (PC) and calcium aluminate cement (CAC). Geopolymers were manufactured using metakaolin and kalium based silicate solution. The effect of copper sulfate as an antimicrobial additive was investigated as well. Bioreceptivity of mortars is quantified by Total Organic Carbon (TOC) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and total protein concentration measurements, as a measure for biomass attachment after exposing the materials to activated sludge and tap water. Batch exposure in lab conditions are compared to field tests where the samples are exposed to real (flow) conditions in a wastewater treatment plant for 39 days.
Batch exposure lab tests showed an order of magnitude lower bioreceptivity of mortars compared to the field tests, attributed to differences in mortars leaching effects. The bioreciptivity of mortars in batch lab conditions was ranked: GP-Cu > CAC > GP > PC; while in field conditions the ranking was: PC > CAC > GP-Cu > GP.

Online publication : 2018
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00