Transition metal valence in commercial glasses
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - Division Samhällsbyggnad Byggteknik Glas, Växjö |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | November 2020 - September 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Research infrastructure - utilisation and collaboration |
| Call | Industrial pilot projects for utilisation of large-scale infrastructures for neutron and photon based techniques – 2020 |
| End-of-project report | 2020-03776_Paroc.pdf (pdf, 358 kB) |
Important results from the project
The project aimed to investigate the redox of manganese and iron in stone wool products using X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Balder beamline at MAX IV. Paroc intends to increase the proportion of recycled material, which may contain manganese, at its production facilities in Hällekis and Hässleholm. The manganese content of these residual materials affects iron redox, which is an important process parameter. XANES provided a deeper understanding of the complex consequences of a higher admixture of manganese-containing residual material in stone wool production.
Expected long term effects
The project has the purpose to reveal the redox and the local environment of manganese (Mn) using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of volcanic-based glasses for stone wool applications. The results showed that in soda-lime-silica the presence of Mn increases the amount of Fe(III) in the redox equilibria reaction: Mn(III)+Fe(II) Mn(II)+Fe(III). In stone wool melts, there is also an increase in the amount of Fe(III) when Mn is present, however, the increase is not directly reflected by the Mn-concentration and the amount of Mn(II) does not necessarily increase simultaneously.
Approach and implementation
The project was divided into three activities, 1: Project management and communication, 2: Sample preparation and production of reference material, 3: X-ray absorption measurement of rock wool and reference material at Balder at MAX IV in Lund. RISE has led the project and was responsible for the X-ray absorption measurements. Industrial partner Paroc was responsible for commercial melt samples, industrial-like melt samples and chemical analysis. It remains to evaluate the sustainability effects and to implement the results in production in the future.