The development of Bayer derived geopolymers as artificial aggregates

To establish a Bayer derived geopolymer industry of large enough volume to allow economies of scale, several product markets and applications will be required to generate consistent demand. One such market is to manufacture artificial aggregate from Bayer-derived geopolymer mortars. An artificial aggregate would normally have a high embodied energy however here it has been calculated to be 0.22 GJ/t, similar to other manufactured or recycled aggregates. Production rates could be between 0.1 and 10 million tonnes per annum per alumina refinery, depending upon local economics and refinery operational conditions.