Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
Kinetic study on elemental mercury release from fly ashes and hydrated fly ash cement pastes
Wen Du1, Chao-Yang Zhang1, Xiang-Ming Kong1
1Key Laboratory of Safety Durability of China Education Ministry, Department of Civil Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China.
Abstract:
The kinetics of elemental mercury (Hg0) release from fly ashes and hydrated fly ash cement pastes was investigated using a homemade Hg measurement system. Three types of fly ash (FA) and ordinary Portland cement (OPC) were used to prepare cement pastes. After standard curing for 28 days, the hydrated cement paste (HCP) was ground into a fine powder for Hg emission measurements. Detectable Hg0 was found released from both fly ashes and hydrated fly ash cement pastes. The results show that elevated temperatures and evaporation of the capillary pore water in wet HCP samples accelerate Hg0 release. Both desorption of Hg0 from the particle surface of HCP powder and migration of Hg0 from the inner pores contribute to Hg0 release. The kinetic calculation indicates that the hydration products of hydrated fly ash cement have little immobilization effect on Hg0, which is mainly physically encapsulated in the HCP particles by hydration products.
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
Pozzolans
Fly ash is...
Strength and Heat of Hydration
The heat of hydration for each cement compound is significant; for instance, tricalcium aluminate (C3A) and...
Fineness of Cement
Direct...
Hydration of Cement
The Scientific Method

