Cryogels for Solving Environmental Problems at the Disturbed Areas of Mining Quarries
L. K. ALTUNINA, V. N. MANZHAY, M. S. FUFAEVA
Institute of Petroleum Chemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Tomsk, Russia
Keywords: polyvinyl alcohol, cryogel, elasticity, coal, ecology
Pages: 441-445
Abstract
Elastic cryogels of rubber-like consistency were formed from a two-component solution of polyvinyl alcohol in water after a freeze-thaw cycle. Interest in these ecologically friendly polymer cryostructurates with their inherent viscoelasticity is due to their high potential as structural materials in oil mining and construction industry. Cryogels based on the aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol containing the particles of soil or fine coal as the dispersed phase, as well as emulsified mineral oil waste, are proposed for practical use. The rheological characteristics of the polymer solution and the direct emulsion based on it are investigated, along with the elastic and waterproofing properties of filled cryogels. It is demonstrated that the materials based on multicomponent cryogels possess increased elasticity and good waterproofing properties, which allows them to be used as the materials for impervious screens in hydraulic structures. Cryogels were obtained after cryostructuring of the suspension of fine coal in the aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol, and their drying resulted in obtaining fuel briquettes with high physical, mechanical, and energy characteristics. These briquettes may be used for domestic and industrial properties. To solve environmental problems, a methodology for soil reclamation and development of a stable vegetation cover on the territory of mine facilities is proposed.
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