Synthesis of alite cement with low environmental impact by using sludge from a dam reservoir and zinc sulphate as a mineralizer

•The synthesis of an eco-cement at temperature lower than the ordinary cement (1300 °C versus 1450 °C).•In raw material, the use of sludge from a dam reservoir.•Using zinc sulphate as a mineralizer in order to obtain at this temperature preferentially C3S rather C2S. The objective of this study is the synthesis of a cement rich in reactive phases, obtained by burning, at a temperature lower than or equal to 1300 °C, a raw material composed of sludge from a dam with a complement of lime, and using zinc sulphate as a mineralizer. This study gives the mineralogical, physical and mechanical characteristics and properties of the synthesized cement. Qualitative and quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis was used to characterize the raw materials and the minerals of the cement. The evolution of its hardening was monitored and quantified by isothermal calorimetry, DTG, X-ray diffraction and mechanical compression tests on pure paste samples. The strengths obtained at 7 and 28 days make it possible to aim at a 32.5N classification.