Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel Ash
In recent decades, the global use of ashes derived from agro-industrial by-products, such as oil palm kernel shells, which are widely cultivated in Colombia and other tropical regions of the world, has increased. However, the application of these ashes in engineering remains limited due to their het...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Ramón Torres-Ortega Diego Torres-Sánchez Manuel Saba |
| author_facet | Ramón Torres-Ortega Diego Torres-Sánchez Manuel Saba |
| author_sort | Ramón Torres-Ortega |
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| description | In recent decades, the global use of ashes derived from agro-industrial by-products, such as oil palm kernel shells, which are widely cultivated in Colombia and other tropical regions of the world, has increased. However, the application of these ashes in engineering remains limited due to their heterogeneity and variability. This study utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess the influence of calcination temperatures, ranging from 500 °C to 1000 °C, as well as the physical processes of cutting, grinding, and crushing, on the silica content of the studied ashes. Specifically, the sample labeled M18A-c-m-T600°C-t1.5h-tr1h, which was subjected to a calcination temperature of 600 °C and underwent cutting and grinding before calcination, followed by post-calcination crushing, exhibited the highest silica concentration. Complementary techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were applied to this sample to evaluate its feasibility as an additive or partial replacement for cement in concrete. XRF analysis revealed a composition of 71.24% SiO<sub>2</sub>, 9.39% Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, and 2.65% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, thus, meeting the minimum oxide content established by ASTM C 618 for the classification as a pozzolanic material. Furthermore, XRD analysis confirmed that the sample M18A-c-m-T600°C-t1.5h-tr1h is in an amorphous state, which is the only state in which silica can chemically react with calcium hydroxide resulting from the hydration reactions of cement, forming stable cementitious products with strong mechanical properties. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-419415e09a444a219748a2bf0cd61653 |
| institution | OA Journals |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-419415e09a444a219748a2bf0cd616532025-08-20T02:00:35ZengMDPI AGChemEngineering2305-70842024-12-018612210.3390/chemengineering8060122Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel AshRamón Torres-Ortega0Diego Torres-Sánchez1Manuel Saba2Civil Engineering Program, University of Cartagena, Calle 30 # 48-152, Cartagena de Indias 130001, ColombiaDepartment of Civil and Engineering Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USACivil Engineering Program, University of Cartagena, Calle 30 # 48-152, Cartagena de Indias 130001, ColombiaIn recent decades, the global use of ashes derived from agro-industrial by-products, such as oil palm kernel shells, which are widely cultivated in Colombia and other tropical regions of the world, has increased. However, the application of these ashes in engineering remains limited due to their heterogeneity and variability. This study utilized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to assess the influence of calcination temperatures, ranging from 500 °C to 1000 °C, as well as the physical processes of cutting, grinding, and crushing, on the silica content of the studied ashes. Specifically, the sample labeled M18A-c-m-T600°C-t1.5h-tr1h, which was subjected to a calcination temperature of 600 °C and underwent cutting and grinding before calcination, followed by post-calcination crushing, exhibited the highest silica concentration. Complementary techniques such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were applied to this sample to evaluate its feasibility as an additive or partial replacement for cement in concrete. XRF analysis revealed a composition of 71.24% SiO<sub>2</sub>, 9.39% Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, and 2.65% Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, thus, meeting the minimum oxide content established by ASTM C 618 for the classification as a pozzolanic material. Furthermore, XRD analysis confirmed that the sample M18A-c-m-T600°C-t1.5h-tr1h is in an amorphous state, which is the only state in which silica can chemically react with calcium hydroxide resulting from the hydration reactions of cement, forming stable cementitious products with strong mechanical properties.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/8/6/122SEM analysissilicaoil palm kernel ashpozzolanic properties |
| spellingShingle | Ramón Torres-Ortega Diego Torres-Sánchez Manuel Saba Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel Ash ChemEngineering SEM analysis silica oil palm kernel ash pozzolanic properties |
| title | Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel Ash |
| title_full | Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel Ash |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel Ash |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel Ash |
| title_short | Impact of Physical Processes and Temperatures on the Composition, Microstructure, and Pozzolanic Properties of Oil Palm Kernel Ash |
| title_sort | impact of physical processes and temperatures on the composition microstructure and pozzolanic properties of oil palm kernel ash |
| topic | SEM analysis silica oil palm kernel ash pozzolanic properties |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-7084/8/6/122 |
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