Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
Evaluation methodology and application for heavy metal leaching assessment in molten slag aggregate concrete
Chengcheng Liu1, Chaoyong Si1, Tirui Jing1
1State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China.
Abstract:
Molten slag, encapsulating heavy metals in fly ash, has been widely used in subgrade concrete. However, the molten slag aggregate concrete (MSAC) poses a potential risk of heavy metals leaching. For MSAC, this study developed a rapid, accurate closed-vessel agitation method to simulate long-term heavy metal leaching, and determined heavy metal leaching limits for soil and ground water by designing soil column experiment to analyze the migration rule. The closed-vessel agitation method with a leaching solution pH of 4.32 and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 11:1 L/kg was designed. Heavy metal concentrations from the 18-hour closed-vessel agitation method differed by no more than 15% from those of the 64-day semi-dynamic leaching method. Heavy metals from MSAC are transported into groundwater following dilution by soil. The soil dilution multiples for collected loess and lateritic soil were 12-22.9 and 20-50, respectively. This MSAC on top of loess and lateritic soil corresponded to industrial/agricultural and drinking water groundwater standards, accordingly. Moreover, new leaching standards for MSAC heavy metals were introduced, covering applicable soil and groundwater types. The establishment of the assessment methodology facilitates safe promotion of MSAC and other green concretes, ensuring their long-term environmental stability and sustainability.
Related Concept Videos
Deleterious Substances in Aggregate
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
Abrasion Resistance of Concrete
One such test is the revolving disc test, where three plates...
Microbial Leaching
Design Example: Aggregate Gradation
The grading, or particle-size distribution, of sand is determined using sieve analysis, with standard sizes ranging from 150 μm to 10 mm (ASTM No. 100 sieve to 3⁄8 in. sieve). Sand is...
Testing Water Quality
Design Example: Managing Concrete Workability

