Abstract

Calcium carbide residue (CCR) is a waste obtained from the production of acetylene gas by the hydration reaction of calcium carbide. This residue is generated in large quantities annually and requires appropriate disposal. The main composition of the residue is calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)<inf>2</inf>). Ca(OH)<inf>2</inf> can react with CO<inf>2</inf> gas and form CaCO<inf>3</inf> particles. This process is well known but not very attractive since Ca(OH)<inf>2</inf> is obtained from limestone using an energy-intensive thermal conversion process. This paper examined the synthesis of CaCO<inf>3</inf> from CCR solutions by capturing CO<inf>2</inf> with the aid of triethanolamine (TEA) solutions at doses of 0, 5, 10 and 20% w/w. The precipitated CaCO<inf>3</inf> was characterized, and the application of CaCO<inf>3</inf> as a filler in epoxy resin was tested. The results showed that the precipitated CaCO<inf>3</inf> was mainly calcite, with a 76.6% yield. Cubic calcite was primarily obtained in TEA solutions, whereas small and agglomerated spherical vaterite and cubic calcite particles were formed in non-TEA solutions. The CaCO<inf>3</inf>-filled epoxy composites showed higher compressive strength than the neat resin. However, the transparency of specimen plates was reduced. These results can serve as guidelines for the application of CCR slurry filtrate obtained from the sedimentation ponds of acetylene plants and help to reduce the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated. CO<inf>2</inf> gas from industrial flue gas combined with TEA solution could be applied to precipitate CaCO<inf>3</inf> for carbon-neutral manufacturing.