FGD GYPSUM - TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC-ASPECTS OF A SECONDARY RAW-MATERIAL, PART 2

Industrial processing of the FGD gypsum generated during flue gas desu lphurization to make gypsum building materials is one of the most sign ificant examples of overcoming an industrial waste problem. This revie w records the progress of FGD gypsum fi om waste material to secondary raw material. The description leads from the legislative measures to limit the emission. of pollutants from large combustion systems, via c omparison of the characteristics and assessment of FGD gypsum with tho se of natural gypsum, to the development of new processes and products . The practical differences between FGD gypsum and natural gypsum are explained, and an, indication is given of the growing importance of ut ilizing lignite-derived FGD gypsum from the Rhineland lignite mining a rea and the new federal states. Removal of FGD gypsum from the Europea n Waste Catalogue and its acceptance as a product form a high point in the efforts to put FGD gypsum on an equal footing with natural gypsum as a raw material.