Effect of sewage sludge ash on mechanical and microstructural properties of geopolymers based on metakaolin

[EN] This paper explored the effect of sewage sludge ash (SSA) on the mechanical and microstructural properties of geopolymers based on metakaolin (MK) involving two different SiO2/Na2O molar ratios (0.8 and 1.6), two temperature curing conditions (25 degrees C and 65 degrees C) and various ages of curing (1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 90 or 180 days). The geopolymers were characterized using different techniques as X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and compressive strength of mortars. The compressive strength tests showed that the replacement of MK by SSA in 10 wt% when cured at 25 degrees C with the highest SiO2/Na2O molar ratio reaches similar compressive strengths after 14 days of curing compared to the samples with only MK, which reached a maximum compressive strength of 50.8 MPa at 180 days. The FTIR analyses carried out in the geopolymer pastes with SSA (10 wt% of SSA and 90 wt% of MK) showed a formation of N-A-S-H gels in the samples cured at 25 degrees C. The microstructural studies by XRD, TGA and SEM pointed out the formation of a crystalline phase as Na P-type zeolite in MK/SSA based-geopolymer pastes cured at 65 degrees C, which explained the loss of compressive strength of the samples cured at high temperature. However, the SSA retarded the crystallization process in the MK based-geopolymer. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research has been supported by funding agency Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) (processo n° 309015/2015-4).Istuque, D.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Akasaki, J.; Melges, J.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.... (2019). Effect of sewage sludge ash on mechanical and microstructural properties of geopolymers based on metakaolin. Construction and Building Materials. 203:95-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.01.093S9510320

Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Uncontrolled-Combusted Sewage Sludge Ash

[EN] Waste management is a crucial issue facing modern society. The generation of sewage sludge is increasing annually due to the urbanization and improvement of sanitation systems of cities. The construction sector has emerged as a solution for the elimination of waste due to the enormous volume of materials that this sector can absorb. This paper evaluates the pozzolanic activity of sewage sludge ash (USSA) obtained following an uncontrolled-combustion process, a simple and economic procedure. Compressive strength of Portland cement/USSA mortars with 5%¿25% by weight USSA were evaluated. Calcium hydroxide/USSA and Portland cement/USSA pastes were chemically and physically characterized through thermogravimetric/differential-thermogravimetric (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The increase in the replacement of Portland cement by USSA is associated with an increase in the compressive strength of mortars. These values for USSA containing mortars cured for 90 days were in the range of 49.6¿55.4 MPa, higher than the one reached by the reference mortar. According to the microstructural analysis, the increment on the compressive strength can be attributed to the formation of hydrated products (C¿S¿H, C¿A¿S¿H, and C¿A¿H) by the pozzolanic reaction of USSA.This research was financed in part by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior-Brasil (Capes)Finance Code 001, and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) (Processo Nos. 309015/2015-4 and 478057/2013-0). Thanks go to the Scanning Electron Microscopy Service of FEIS/UNESP, Servico Municipal Autonomo de Agua e Esgoto (SEMAE) from the Sao Jose do Rio Preto city (Sao Paulo, Brazil).Istuque, DB.; Reig, L.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Pinheiro Melges, JL.; Akasaki, JL.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.... (2021). Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Uncontrolled-Combusted Sewage Sludge Ash. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. 33(6):1-12. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.000376511233

Evaluation of the long-term compressive strength development of the sewage sludge ash/metakaolin-based geopolymer

[EN] This paper aimed to evaluate the long-term compressive strength development of the sewage sludge ash/metakaolin (SSA/MK)¿based geopolymer. SSA/MK¿based geopolymeric mortars and pastes were produced at 25ºC with different SSA contents (0 - 30 wt.%). Compressive strength tests were run within the 3-720 curing days range. A physicochemical characterisation (X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy) was performed in geopolymeric pastes. All the geopolymeric mortars presented a compressive strength gain with curing time. The mortars with all the SSA evaluated contents (10, 20, 30 wt.%) developed a compressive strength over 40 MPa after 720 curing days at 25ºC. The maximum compressive strength of the mortars with SSA was approximately 61 MPa (10 wt.% of SSA), similarly to the reference mortar (100% MK-based geopolymer). The microstructure analyses showed that the SSA/MK¿based geopolymer presented a dense microstructure with N-A-S-H gel formation.This study was financed partly by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Su-perior -Brasil (CAPES) -(Finance Code 001 and CAPES/DGU n. 266/12), and the National Council of Scientific and Technological Development -Bra-sil (CNPq) -(n. 14/2013, process 478057/2013-0 and 309015/2015-4). The authors would like to thank Programa Institucional de Internacionalizacao - CAPES -PrInt. The authors acknowledge the Scanning Electron Microscopy Service of FEIS/UN-ESP, Servico Municipal Autonomo de Agua e Es-goto (SEMAE) from the Sao Jose do Rio Preto city -SP, Brazil and Diatom Mineracao Ltda. The authors would like to thank Programa Institucional de Internacionalizacao CAPES -PrInt.Istuque, D.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Akasaki, JL.; Melges, JLP.; Tashima, MM. (2021). Evaluation of the long-term compressive strength development of the sewage sludge ash/metakaolin-based geopolymer. Materiales de Construcción. 71(343):1-10. https://doi.org/10.3989/mc.2021.13220S1107134

Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Uncontrolled-Combusted Sewage Sludge Ash

Waste management is a crucial issue facing modern society. The generation of sewage sludge is increasing annually due to the urbanization and improvement of sanitation systems of cities. The construction sector has emerged as a solution for the elimination of waste due to the enormous volume of materials that this sector can absorb. This paper evaluates the pozzolanic activity of sewage sludge ash (USSA) obtained following an uncontrolled-combustion process, a simple and economic procedure. Compressive strength of Portland cement/USSA mortars with 5%–25% by weight USSA were evaluated. Calcium hydroxide/USSA and Portland cement/USSA pastes were chemically and physically characterized through thermogravimetric/differential-thermogravimetric (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The increase in the replacement of Portland cement by USSA is associated with an increase in the compressive strength of mortars. These values for USSA containing mortars cured for 90 days were in the range of 49.6–55.4  MPa, higher than the one reached by the reference mortar. According to the microstructural analysis, the increment on the compressive strength can be attributed to the formation of hydrated products (C─ S─ H, C─ A─ S─ H, and C─ A─ H) by the pozzolanic reaction of USSA

Behavior of metakaolin-based geopolymers incorporating sewage sludge ash (SSA)

[EN] In recent years, geopolymers have become a widely researched binding material. There are technological and environmental advantages tousing this type of binder instead of Portland cement. In this study, binary systems of geopolymers were produced by using mixtures of metakaolin (MK) ,a well-known aluminosilicate raw material, and a residue from sewage sludge incineration: sewage sludge ash (SSA). This ash was used to partially replace the metakaolin in proportions of 0 20%. The mixtures were activated with alkaline solutions and they were cured by using two different conditions: at room temperature (25 °C) and in a thermal bath (65 °C). The samples were assessed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (pastes) and compressive strength (mortars). The results from these studies showed zeolite formation (faujasite) in geopolymers cured in the thermal bath, which caused a decrease in the compressive strength of the alkali-activated mortars.Replacement of MK with SSA caused a lower reduction in the compressive strength of mortars cured at 65 °C. However, at room temperature, similar mechanical strength was observed for the MK and MK-SSA systems. These results demonstrated that SSA is a suitable mineral precursor for partial replacement of MK in geopolymer production.The authors acknowledge Santander Universidades for the grant to Lucia Reig (program: Becas lberoamerica Jovenes Profesores Investigadores Espana 2014), CAPES (CAPES/DGU no 266/12), CNPq (no. 14/2013 processo 478057/2013-0) Scanning electron microscopy service of FEIS/UNESP and CNPq (processo 309015/2015-4).Istuque, D.; Reig Cerdá, L.; Moraes, J.; Akasaki, JL.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Soriano Martínez, L.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.... (2016). Behavior of metakaolin-based geopolymers incorporating sewage sludge ash (SSA). Materials Letters. 180:192-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2016.05.137S19219518

Cinza de bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (CBC) como adição mineral em concretos para verificação de sua durabilidade

O setor sucroalcooleiro vem se expandindo nos últimos anos, alavancado principalmente pelo advento da bionergia. No Brasil, a produção de cana-de-açúcar vem avançando em áreas destinadas à pecuária extensiva e a outras culturas importantes como a soja, o milho e a laranja, e concerne à geração de energia elétrica pela queima do bagaço (cogeração) e ao uso de etanol como combustível de veículos automotores. Contudo, a produção de açúcar, álcool e energia a partir de cana-de-açúcar pode causar problemas ambientais em decorrência da geração de resíduos como a cinza do bagaço de cana-de-açúcar (CBC). Deste modo, este trabalho apresenta a viabilidade técnica da utilização de cinza resultante do processo de queima do bagaço de cana para a geração de energia como adição mineral, em concretos. Para isso foram realizados ensaios de caracterização química e difração de raios-x na CBC. Produziram-se concretos contendo a CBC nos teores de 5%, 10%, 15% e 20%, em massa, como substituição parcial ao agregado miúdo. Realizaram-se ensaios mecânicos e, a partir dos resultados obtidos, o traço de concreto que apresentou os melhores resultados foi submetido aos seguintes ensaios de durabilidade: resistência ao ataque químico, absorção por capilaridade, penetração de cloretos e abrasão. O trabalho foi realizado com CBC de baixa atividade pozolânica, entretanto, os resultados indicaram ser possível utilizar a CBC como substituição parcial do agregado miúdo na produção de concretos, pois seus resultados são similares ao concreto sem adição da cinza

The role of dissolved rice husk ash in the development of binary blast furnace slag-sewage sludge ash alkali-activated mortars

[EN] This study evaluated the compressive strength performance and microstructure of binary blast furnace slag-sewage sludge ash (BFS-SSA) alkali-activated mortars, in which rice husk ash (RHA) was dissolved in NaOH solution to replace commercial sodium silicate. The dissolution of RHA, performed in a thermal bottle with NaOH solution, enhanced the compressive strength of the alkali-activated mortars based on BFS up to 4.5-fold. BFS-SSA based mortars (10¿40% SSA), activated with NaOH/RHA-based sodium silicate suspensions, reached a compressive strength up to 30 MPa after 28 curing days at 20¿C. The RHA dissolution enhanced the strength and sustainability of the BFS-SSA alkali-activated mortars.This study was financed partly by the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior - Brazil (CAPES) - (Finance Code 001). Thanks go to Cementval, the DACSA Group and the Pinedo Wastewater Treatment Plant for supplying some raw materials. Thanks go to the Electron Microscopy Service of the Universitat Politècnica de Valencia.Istuque, DB.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Monzó Balbuena, JM.; Mitsuuchi Tashima, M. (2022). The role of dissolved rice husk ash in the development of binary blast furnace slag-sewage sludge ash alkali-activated mortars. Journal of Building Engineering. 52:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.1044721145

Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Uncontrolled-Combusted Sewage Sludge Ash

Waste management is a crucial issue facing modern society. The generation of sewage sludge is increasing annually due to the urbanization and improvement of sanitation systems of cities. The construction sector has emerged as a solution for the elimination of waste due to the enormous volume of materials that this sector can absorb. This paper evaluates the pozzolanic activity of sewage sludge ash (USSA) obtained following an uncontrolled-combustion process, a simple and economic procedure. Compressive strength of Portland cement/USSA mortars with 5%-25% by weight USSA were evaluated. Calcium hydroxide/USSA and Portland cement/USSA pastes were chemically and physically characterized through thermogravimetric/differential-thermogravimetric (TG/DTG), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. The increase in the replacement of Portland cement by USSA is associated with an increase in the compressive strength of mortars. These values for USSA containing mortars cured for 90 days were in the range of 49.6-55.4 MPa, higher than the one reached by the reference mortar. According to the microstructural analysis, the increment on the compressive strength can be attributed to the formation of hydrated products (C-S-H, C-A-S-H, and C-A-H) by the pozzolanic reaction of USSA. © 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers