Mineralfaserabfälle als reaktive Bindemittelkomponente

Mineral wool, particularly glass and stone wool is among the most widely used insulation materials in the construction sector. These materials are typically landfilled after the product's lifetime, leading to significant disposal costs due to their low density. With the amendment of the Austrian Landfill Ordinance in 2021, a landfill ban for artificial mineral fibres is expected to take effect in 2027, making the development of recycling and recovery options urgently necessary. This study involves the targeted mixing of mineral wool with correction materials using a mixing calculator. Dynamic viscosity, a crucial parameter for high-temperature processes, is evaluated using various viscosity models and compared with experimental data. The prepared mixtures undergo thermochemical treatment in an induction crucible furnace, followed by rapid cooling, ensuring amorphous solidification and forming a reactive binder component. The resulting output material is then analysed for its construction-related properties. A Monte Carlo simulation is also employed to predict future mineral wool waste generation. The results demonstrate that the output material meets the requirements for a substitute similar to typical ground granulated blast furnace slag regarding chemical composition, glass content, and reactivity. Some viscosity models are comparable with the measured values, whereas others exhibit significant deviations. Temperature and chemical composition are key influencing factors on dynamic viscosity. Furthermore, the simulation confirms trends consistent with waste statistics from the Austrian Federal Waste Management Plan and indicates an expected increase in mineral wool waste in the future.