Techno-economic and environmental analysis of alkali-activated materials containing phosphogypsum and blast furnace slag

Abstract

The objective of this work is to identify the crucial variables for rendering the production of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) based on Flemish phosphogypsum and blast furnace slag mineral wastes profitable. Therefore, a preliminary techno-economic analysis has been carried out for a process design especially developed for their valorisation. After developing a process diagram for the production of AAMs, the net present value of the cash flows generated has been determined. The minimum selling price of the produced building materials has been determined, taking into account uncertainties by performing Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis. Finally, this preliminary techno-economic analysis is used to identify the key variables for the profitability of the production of AAMs from phosphogypsum and blast furnace slag. The environmental aspects of the process are expressed in global warming potential (GWP). The evaluation of GWP is based on a life cycle assessment.