Charah Solutions is committed to providing our customers with a complete portfolio of high-quality raw materials and byproducts for cement and concrete manufacturing including alumina source materials and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Plus, the strength of our global network provides a consistent and reliable supply of the materials you need to optimize your processes and production. Our lineup includes a full range of materials and byproducts including:
BAUXITE
Bauxite is a member of the chemical family: Metallic Hydroxide/Oxide. This is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock, non-chemically treated and contains one or more aluminum hydroxide minerals. The vast majority of all mined bauxite is used for aluminum metal manufacturing.
APPLICATIONS:
Bauxite is a rich source of aluminum as a raw material in the manufacture of Portland cement.
BOTTOM ASH
Most bottom ash results from the burning of pulverized coal in suspension in the modern utility boiler used in coal-fired power plants. The heavier ash particles fall to the bottom of the boiler (bottom ash) and the lighter particles remain in the gas stream and are usually collected in an electrostatic precipitator as fly ash. The bottom ash is often flushed from the boiler bottom with water, and collected in settling basis, from which it can be recovered.
APPLICATIONS:
Bottom ash can be used as a source of aluminum, iron oxide, and silica in the manufacture of Portland cement.
CLAY
Kaolin clay is a natural usually white or tan mineral (dioctahedral phyllosilicate clay), produced by the chemical weathering of aluminum silicate minerals like feldspar. It is widely used after calcining as a primary ingredient in the manufacture of China.
APPLICATIONS:
Kaolin clay adds favorable pozzolanic properties to Portland cement and can be used to increase its strength and increase resistance to sulfate attack, while decreasing corrosion and permeability and lightening the color of the finished concrete.
FLY ASH
Fly ash is a byproduct of the power generation industry obtained by the mechanical or electrostatic precipitation of powdery material derived from the combustion gases in a boiler fed with pulverized coal. They are made of spherical vitreous particles and may have pozzolanic properties.
APPLICATIONS:
Fly ash can be effectively used as an alumina and silica source in the raw mix in the process of cement manufacturing.
GRANULATED BLAST FURNACE SLAG (GBFS)
Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) is a valuable by-product of steel manufacturing. Iron is extracted from iron ore, which takes place in a blast furnace where the ore, limestone or dolomite, and fuel (coke) are introduced into a furnace to assist the separation of the molten iron from the impurities. When taken out of the blast furnace, slag is in a molten condition. GBFS is formed by rapidly quenching the molten slag with large amounts of water. It is a major ingredient in the manufacture of slag cement.
APPLICATIONS:
A common application for GBFS is to provide additional strength and durability, and improved finish in cement and concrete, while reducing the overall cost of production.
NATURAL GYPSUM
Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral mined in numerous locations throughout the world. Natural gypsum is chemically known as calcium sulphate dihydrate or CaSO4 2H2O, which is essentially the same chemical composition as Synthetic Gypsum.
APPLICATIONS:
Natural gypsum is mined as a natural raw material for use in building products such as drywall, cement additives and plaster. It is also used as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in blackboard/sidewalk chalk.
POZZOLAN
Pozzolan is used to strengthen and enhance the durability of cement. Pozzolans are silicate-based non-crystalline materials that react with the calcium hydroxide generated by hydrating cement to form additional cementitious materials. Depending upon the particle size, chemical composition and dosage, different pozzolans will affect the concrete strength and performance differently and at different times during curing.
APPLICATIONS:
Pozzolan is used as a supplementary cementitious material to strengthen and enhance the durability of concrete and cement.
SILICA FUME
Silica fume, also known as MicroSilica, is a byproduct of producing silicon metal or ferrosilicon alloys. The main ingredient of silica fume is amorphous (non-crystalline) silicon dioxide. The individual particles are extremely small, approximately 1/100th the size of an average cement particle. Its average granule diameter is 0.15~0.20 μm, specific surface area is 15000~20000m2/kg.
APPLICATIONS:
Because of its fine particles, large surface area, and the high SiO2 content, silica fume serves as a very reactive, strong pozzolan when used in cement and concrete production.
SYNTHETIC GYPSUM
Synthetic gypsum is chemically manufactured gypsum and is generally considered a byproduct that is created during various manufacturing, industrial or chemical processes. It is important to note that synthetic gypsum and natural gypsum have essentially the same chemical compositions, both consisting predominantly of calcium sulfate dehydrate or CaSO4 2H2O. Synthetic gypsum is a process byproduct which reduces the need to mine natural deposits.
APPLICATIONS:
Like natural gypsum, synthetic gypsum is used in making building products such as drywall, cement additives and plaster.
SERVICE ABOVE ALL
With a proven global network and a broad base of expertise, we provide innovative sourcing, solutions, and technologies to keep you supplied with the raw materials and byproducts your industrial processes and applications need.
For more information about our international raw materials sales & services or to order materials, contact our global sales and support team at 877-314-7724.