Pozzolanic behaviour of a bagasse ash from the boiler of a Cuban sugar factory

Author(s)

Villar-Cocina, Ernesto ^[1] ; Frias, Moises ^[2] ; Hernandez-Ruiz, Jesus ^[1] ; Savastano, Jr., Holmer ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Cent Univ Las Villas, Dept Phys, Villa Clara - Cuba

^[2] CSIC, Eduardo Torroja Inst, Madrid - Spain

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, BR-05508 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ADVANCES IN CEMENT RESEARCH; v. 25, n. 3, p. 136-142, JUN 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

The paper presents a study of the pozzolanic reaction kinetics between calcium hydroxide and sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBAB) from the boiler of a sugar factory. A pozzolanic activity method (conductometric method) based on measurement of the electrical conductivity of the SCBAB/calcium hydroxide solution as the reaction proceeds is applied and the kinetic parameters are then quantified by applying a kinetic-diffusive model to the process. The kinetic parameters that characterise the process (in particular, the reaction rate constant and the free energy of activation) were determined with relative accuracy in the fitting process of the model. The pozzolanic activity is quantitatively evaluated according to the obtained values of the kinetic parameters. Other experimental techniques, such as X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, are also employed. Comparison with another bagasse ash calcined under controlled conditions in the laboratory is carried out. The results show the good pozzolanic properties of the SCBAB from the boiler of the sugar factory. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/12691-2 - Collaboration and advising in activities related with research projects in progress: topic: characterization and evaluation of agricultural wastes as pozzolanic materials for its efficient use in the production of sustainable construction materials
• Grantee: Holmer Savastano Junior
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International