Abstract
Pozzolanic properties of Pennisetum purpureum grass ash were tested on Portland cement. Results show that the ash can be blended with cements without compromising binding strength of the cement. It was found that Portland cement could be blended with Pennisetum purpureum up to a ratio of 3:2 compromising compressive strength of mortar.Mortar with lower cement replacement took longer to set as evidenced by lower compressive strength within the 28-day aging time. Mortar with higher cement replacement had lower water absorption capacity, an indication that the test pozzolan was of smaller particulate size. XRF analysis and the FTIR spectrum showed that the ash has a higher content of silica. The XRD pattern of the ash showed that the ash was predominantly amorphous. SEM images showed that the ash produced at 600 o C had residual carbon material.
Highlights
Reports in the literature suggest that global cement manufacturing contributes about 5% anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions (Huntzinger and Eaton, 2009; Worrell et al, 2001)
We report a potential application of Pennisetum purpureum ash, better known as elephant grass ash as a pozzolan in cement production
The elemental composition shows that the ash has a high silica content of 81.09% which can slightly be increased by acid leaching. This is comparable with the content rice husk ashes and sugarcane bagasse ashes that have been tested as potential pozzolanic material (Ugheoke and Mamat, 2012; Teixeira, 2010)
Summary
Reports in the literature suggest that global cement manufacturing contributes about 5% anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions (Huntzinger and Eaton, 2009; Worrell et al, 2001). A number of researchers have reported on potential pozzolanicmaterials and these include rice husk ash (Habeeb and Fayyadh, 2009; Salas et al, 2009), zeolites (Madandoust et al, 2013), metakaolin (Courard et al, 2003), silica fumes (Wong and Razak, 2005), coalfly ash (Kiattikomol et al, 2001) and slag. Use of such material in cement manufacture contribute towards reduction of energy consumption and release of carbon dioxide. It is mostly used as thatching grass, most of it is burnt out during land clearance and cut to improve visibility along roadsides
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