Recycling of Crystalline Silicon based Solar Modules Waste in Concrete

Abstract

Concrete is the most widely employed construction material on the planet, however, its production requires vast amounts of natural resources. The waste management of solar modules waste is an emerging challenge. The problem of how to dispose of used solar modules is big and expanding. Because recycling costs more than the economic worth of the materials recovered, a considerable portion of this waste is not recycled. Moreover, the continuous consumption of aggregate in concrete is depleting natural sand basins across the world. The focus of this research was to recycle solar module waste by replacing fine aggregate with 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, 16%, and 20% replacement ratios. The modified concrete was tested for compressive strength at the age of 7, 28, 56, and 91 days, freeze-thaw resistance at 7, 14, 28, and 56 cycles, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid resistance, and chloride migration. The results were promising as both the mechanical and durability properties were improved. The compressive strength improved at all ages. However, at a later age, the rise in compressive strength was more evident. The compressive strength of concrete modified with 20% solar module waste particles as fine aggregate was found to be 41 MPa after 91 days, which is 16.3% higher than the control specimen at the same age. The results of the tests revealed that when the solar module waste particles mixing ratio was increased, the freezing and thawing resistance, acid attack resistance, and chloride ion penetration resistance of the waste modified concrete were improved. The use of solar module waste particles as a replacement of sand particles resulted in better packing and a smaller pore size. The reduction in pore size and volume was verified by BET test. The use of solar module waste particles gives an environmentally appropriate answer to the problems of its disposal. It also provides a viable raw material source for the construction sector, so assisting in the conservation of natural aggregate resources. As a result, the advantages of employing solar module waste as fine aggregate in concrete have been proven.