A thermodynamic model for blended cements

A chemical thermodynamic model has been developed for blended cements, called CEMCHEM. Given the chemical compositions of the blend materials, CEMCHEM calculates the equilibrium phase distribution, achieved at 25oC. It is based on a portion of the CaO-Al2O3- SiO2- SO3- H2O system, whose phase relations have been determined from the results of 'compatibility experiments'. Solubility models have been developed for the cement hydrate phases used in CEMCHEM, for use with the computer codes MINEQL, PHREEQE and EQ3/6. Validation of the overall approach is provided by the agreement between observed and calculated aqueous compositions for the compatibility experiments. Thus CEMCHEM, with the cement hydrate solubility models, can be used as the basis for modelling near field chemistry in cementitious radwaste repositories. (author)