Published September 8, 2015 | Version v1
Conference paper Open

Recycling of construction and demolition waste: case study in the Port of Antwerp

Creators

  • 1. VITO
  • 2. BMR
  • 3. EKP Recycling

Description

 

Construction and demolition waste (C&DW) represents one of the EU’s largest waste streams. According to the Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, at least 70 percent (by weight) of non-hazardous C&DW must be recuperated by 2020. Eurostat estimates an annual C&DW generation of 970 Mton in EU-27, representing an average value of almost 2.0 ton per inhabitant, with an average recovery rate of 47%. A case study in the Port of Antwerp (PoA) demonstrated new high grade recycling options for purified material fractions from C&DW.

C&DW from the selective demolition of an office building was used for the construction of a new waste collection center. Recovery focused on the mineral fraction of C&DW. This selectively collected mineral fraction was crushed for the production of mixed recycled aggregates (MRA). Currently, MRA are used almost exclusively in low-grade unbound applications like (sub)foundations. However, this market is getting increasingly saturated. Therefore, the development of more high-grade applications is needed to assure a market for the stony fraction of C&DW. The use in these high-grade applications requires recycled aggregates with a higher purity, to guarantee optimal technical and environmental performance.

In order to obtain this higher purity, MRA were treated by advanced automated sorting technologies. Near Infrared (NIR) sorting was used to strongly reduce the content of problematic fractions (e.g. organics, gypsum). These materials can lead to expansive compounds, delays in hardening and a lack of bonding strength in cement-based materials. As a result of the NIR sorting, the technical and environmental quality of the MRA was significantly improved. Subsequently, the purified MRA were treated by color (UV-VIS) sorting. This sorting technique allows the separation of a grey (concrete) fraction and a red (ceramic) fraction. The concrete fraction was then reprocessed into new concrete products that were used for the production of foundation concrete and polished concrete floors, both inside and outside the building. The latter application in particular can be considered as very high level, demonstrating the technical possibilities of pure recycled concrete aggregates.

During the case study, a high-grade recycling option for autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) was also demonstrated. The major challenge for AAC recycling is sulfate leaching, causing both environmental and technical problems. A strong reduction in sulfate leaching from AAC recycling products was obtained via immobilization. Recycled AAC was used in the case study as a sand replacement in an insulating flooring screed.

This case study illustrates the possible added value of selective demolition and advanced sorting techniques for the creation of high-grade recycling options. Additionally, a recycling pathway for one of the more problematic C&DW types (AAC) was demonstrated.

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Additional details

Funding

IRCOW – Innovative Strategies for High-Grade Material Recovery from Construction and Demolition Waste 265212
European Commission

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