Cement Additive Composition Using MSWI Ash Without Thermal Reprocessing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing concrete using municipal solid waste incineration ash are complex, require high-temperature treatments, and pose environmental risks due to the need for additional processing and adaptation of incineration plants.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing conventionally processed municipal solid waste incineration ash with a particle size of < 200 µm as a water-hardening additive in concrete production, without further thermal treatment, to simplify the manufacturing process and ensure environmental safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If municipal solid waste incineration ash is used to produce cement clinker or hydraulic binder through high-temperature melting and sintering processes, then the harmful materials are neutralized and material properties are modified, but the production process becomes very complex and requires additional high-temperature treatment facilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutralization of harmful materialsVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful neutralization function from the complex high-temperature melting and sintering process. By using ground MSWI ash as a cement additive mixed with Portland cement, the harmful materials are neutralized through the chemical reactions of the cement hydration process rather than requiring separate high-temperature treatment facilities. This separates the neutralization function from the complex thermal processing sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high-temperature melting (above 1000°C) to ambient or moderate curing temperatures (20-40°C). The MSWI ash is ground to a fine powder and mixed with cement, allowing the neutralization and binding processes to occur during concrete curing rather than requiring high-temperature industrial furnaces. This parameter change simplifies the production process significantly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If municipal solid waste incineration ash undergoes melting in a melting furnace to convert into molten slag, then the material properties are altered and aggregates are produced, but the manufacturing process becomes complex requiring high temperatures and subsequent cooling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial property modificationVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the material property modification in advance during the cement manufacturing process. The MSWI ash is ground to a fine powder and mixed with Portland cement clinker to produce composite cement. The material properties are stabilized during cement production rather than requiring subsequent melting and cooling processes at the concrete manufacturing stage. This preliminary action eliminates complex thermal processing from the concrete production line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/thermal system of melting furnaces and cooling processes with a chemical mixing system. Instead of using high-temperature thermal energy to alter material properties, the patent uses chemical reactions between MSWI ash particles and cement hydrates during concrete curing. This substitution eliminates the need for melting furnaces and complex thermal processing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If filter dust from municipal solid waste incineration with high heavy metal content is mixed with hydraulic binder, then pollutants are immobilized, but the processing method is not described and requires classification as hazardous waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepollutant immobilizationVSAvoidprocessing method clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful MSWI ash, which would normally be classified as hazardous waste requiring special handling, into a beneficial cement additive. By grounding the ash and mixing it with Portland cement, the harmful heavy metals are immobilized through incorporation into the cement matrix and subsequent concrete structure. The harm is transformed into a benefit where the waste material becomes a functional component that provides both structural properties and pollutant containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies the production process, reduces environmental impact, and allows for the reuse of waste ash as a high-quality additive, enhancing concrete properties while minimizing harmful emissions and plant modifications.

Implementation Method 1

conventionally processed and ground municipal solid waste incineration ash (MSWI) with a particle size of < 200 µm as a water-hardening additive in concrete production

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic hardening: Mineral Hydration

Implementation Method 2

The hydraulic binder causes the mineral components to set and harden upon the addition of water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic binding: Mineral Hydration

Data Source

PatentEP3992167B1Method for manufacturing a construction material
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 LOBMEIER JÖRG
  • EP3992167B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a building material (S), wherein the building material (S) comprises at least cement clinker (ZK) and at least one water-hardening additive (X), wherein the at least one water-hardening additive (X) is mixed with the cement clinker (ZK) and is not a component of the cement clinker (ZK) itself. According to the invention, the at least one water-hardening additive (X) contains ground and conventionally processed municipal solid waste incineration ash (gHMVA), wherein the ground and conventionally processed municipal solid waste incineration ash (gHMVA) has a particle size of &lt; 200 µm, and contains thermally incinerated municipal solid waste (H), and is not subjected to any material alteration and/or thermal treatment except during the incineration of the municipal solid waste (H) and/or after incineration and conventional processing of the municipal solid waste (H).