Valorisation of firewood ash waste for fired clay ceramics production

Filipe Santos,José Nilson França Holanda,Fabrício Bagli Siqueira

doi:10.33765/thate.12.2.1

Filipe Santos, José Nilson França Holanda + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33765/thate.12.2.1

Copy DOI

Abstract

The objective of this work was to investigate the valorisation of firewood ash waste as an alternative raw material for clay ceramic production, through replacement of industrial plastic clay up to 20 wt.%. For this purpose, clay ceramic pieces were produced by uniaxial pressing and fired at temperatures ranging from 800 °C to 1100 °C. The technical properties of the fired clay ceramic pieces have been determined. It was found that the technical properties of the clay ceramic pieces depend on the firewood ash waste amount and firing temperature. The fired pieces incorporated with up to 20 wt.% of firewood ash waste showed a water absorption level of 9.90 to 16.62 % and flexural strength of 4.12 to 12.02 MPa, indicating their conformity for clay ceramic production (bricks and roofing tiles). Obtained results confirmed the feasibility of valorisation of firewood ash waste in the production of fired clay ceramics.

Highlights

Brazil stands out in the world in the production of renewable energy from biomass [1 - 3]
The results showed that higher concentrations of firewood ash waste (MS4 and MS5 compositions) negatively affect the mechanical strength of the clay ceramic pieces
This work demonstrates the feasibility of valorisation of firewood ash waste from Campos dos Goytacazes - RJ, Brazil, as lowcost alternative raw material for the clay ceramic industry

Summary

Introduction

Brazil stands out in the world in the production of renewable energy from biomass [1 - 3]. Despite the economic and social importance of biomass in the Brazilian energy matrix, large amounts of biomass ashes are produced every year [2, 3]. Such biomass ashes are solid waste materials that cause high environmental impact. The clay ceramic industry in the Campos dos Goytacazes - RJ region, Brazil, which assembles about 100 plants, is mainly specialised in the production of bricks, ceramic blocks, and roofing tiles. The main fuel used in the firing step of the industrial clay ceramic processing is firewood, mainly eucalyptus [4]. An important issue for the local clay ceramic industry is to find an economical and ecological solution for the final disposal of the firewood ash waste

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion