Translucent Concrete With Copper Slag Photocatalyst for Air Purification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Copper slag, a byproduct of copper smelting, poses environmental pollution risks due to toxic heavy metals and low resource utilization, with traditional treatment methods yielding low iron and copper recovery rates.
Innovation Solution
A visible light-catalyzed translucent concrete is prepared by thermal activation of copper slag with an alkaline activator, followed by magnetic separation to extract iron oxide, which is doped with TiO2 to form a photocatalyst, integrated with copper slag tailings as aggregate in a layered concrete structure with optical fibers for photocatalytic gas degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional ore dressing is used for iron separation from copper slag, then iron can be extracted, but the iron utilization rate is less than 1% and the copper slag recycling rate is less than 12% due to low yield, high silicon content, and poor quality of iron ore concentrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful copper slag waste into a valuable resource by using it as aggregate in translucent concrete. The copper slag is thermally activated and combined with photocatalytic materials to create a functional building material that not only disposes of the waste but also provides air purification capabilities, transforming an environmental hazard into a beneficial application.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent concrete incorporates multiple functions: structural support from copper slag aggregate, optical transmission through the translucent matrix, and air purification through photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. This multi-functional material simultaneously addresses waste utilization, architectural aesthetics, and environmental protection needs.
2Volume of stationary object
If copper slag is stacked for storage, then the large volume is accommodated, but toxic and harmful heavy metal particles are easily leached during stacking and migrate to soil, rivers, and air, causing serious environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the harmful copper slag into a beneficial building material. By thermally activating the copper slag and incorporating it into translucent concrete with photocatalytic properties, the waste material is converted into a functional component that provides structural support while preventing heavy metal leaching through the concrete matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies thermal activation treatment to the copper slag, changing its physical and chemical parameters. The thermal processing modifies the surface properties and reactivity of the copper slag particles, enabling them to function effectively as aggregate in the concrete while reducing their harmful leaching potential.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If TiO2-doped photocatalyst is incorporated into translucent concrete, then air purification capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the photocatalytic function with the structural concrete material itself. By incorporating TiO2-doped photocatalyst particles into the translucent concrete matrix, the air purification capability is integrated directly into the building material, eliminating the need for separate air treatment devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent concrete with photocatalyst performs air purification autonomously when exposed to light. The photocatalytic degradation of harmful gases occurs automatically without requiring external power sources, control systems, or maintenance, allowing the material to serve its own environmental protection function.
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
The method achieves full resource utilization of copper slag, stabilizes heavy metals, and effectively degrades harmful gases like NOx, SO2, and HCHO using sunlight, while enhancing light transmission and decoration.
Implementation Method 1
The iron oxide in the TiO2-doped photocatalyst, as a doping impurity, can become a trap for photo-generated carriers, and prolong a life of the carriers, thus improving a photocatalytic activity of the TiO2
Implementation Method 2
an optical fiber penetrates the first photocatalytic slurry layer, the concrete slurry layer, and the second photocatalytic slurry layer
Implementation Method 3
heating the mixture to conduct thermal activation to obtain an activated slag
Implementation Method 4
subjecting the activated slag to magnetic separation to obtain an iron oxide and a copper slag tailing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a visible light-catalyzed translucent concrete, and a preparation method and use thereof. The preparation method includes: extracting an iron oxide from a copper slag, mixing the iron oxide with TiO2 to obtain a photocatalyst, and then mixing the photocatalyst with an additive to obtain a photocatalytic slurry; preparing a concrete slurry using the copper slag after iron extraction as an aggregate; and pouring the photocatalytic slurry, the concrete slurry, and the photocatalytic slurry in sequence into a mold pre-laid with an optical fiber, to obtain the visible light-catalyzed translucent concrete. In the visible light-catalyzed translucent concrete, iron in the copper slag is used as a part of raw materials of the photocatalyst, and the copper slag after iron extraction is used as an aggregate to replace natural sand and gravel. This solves environmental pollutions caused by the copper slag and realizes resource utilization.