Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate (Gypsum)
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Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate is a type of Gypsum. It is also commonly known as Gypsum Dihydrate or simply Gypsum. Overall, Gypsum is a versatile material that can be used in a wide range of dry-mix and pre-packaged bagged products to improve workability, reduce cracking, and improve the overall performance of the finished product. When mixed with water, it undergoes a chemical reaction known as hydration and starts to harden, forming a solid mass in a few minutes. The final product, Calcium Sulfate, is anhydrite, a complex and robust material.
- Setting time: Gypsum can accelerate or retard the setting time of concrete depending on the desired result. This allows for more precise control over the setting time, which is particularly useful in construction projects where timing is critical.
- Strength: Adding Gypsum can enhance concrete’s compressive and flexural strength by promoting the formation of Calcium Silicate Hydrates (CSH) and Calcium Aluminate Hydrates (CAH), the main bonding agents in concrete.
- Durability: Gypsum can improve the durability of concrete by reducing the permeability of the material, which can help prevent water and other corrosive substances from penetrating and damaging the concrete over time.
- Appearance: Gypsum can improve the appearance of concrete by reducing surface defects such as cracking and crazing. It can also help produce a smoother surface finish, particularly useful for decorative applications.
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Gypsum is a mineral compound that is commonly used in water treatment applications. It is a soft sulfate mineral of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4ยท2H2O).
Gypsum has many uses in water treatment, including:
- Coagulation and Flocculation: Gypsum is used as a coagulant and flocculant in water treatment to remove impurities such as suspended solids, turbidity, and color. Gypsum helps to coagulate and flocculate these impurities, which makes them easier to remove from water.
- pH Adjustment: Gypsum is also used in water treatment to adjust water pH. It is added to water to increase the pH, which can help reduce water’s corrosive properties and prevent damage to pipes and equipment.
- Softening: Gypsum can soften hard water by removing excess minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It works by exchanging the calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions, which makes the water softer and more suitable for domestic and industrial use.
- Byproduct Management: Gypsum is also used in water treatment as a byproduct management tool. It is commonly used to treat wastewater from coal-fired power plants and other industries to remove heavy metals, sulfur, and nitrogen compounds.
The benefits of using Gypsum in water treatment include:
- Cost-effective: Gypsum is a cost-effective option for water treatment compared to other chemical treatments. It is readily available and inexpensive, which makes it a convenient option for many water treatment applications.
- Safe: Gypsum is a non-toxic and non-hazardous material, which makes it safe to handle and use in water treatment applications.
- Environmentally friendly: Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral and is considered environmentally friendly. It does not produce any harmful byproducts or contribute to pollution.
- Effective: Gypsum is an effective coagulant and flocculant in water treatment. It can remove impurities such as suspended solids, turbidity, and color, and can also be used to adjust the pH of the water and soften hard water.