Beneficiation of Sugarcane Bagasse Boiler Ash via Production of Syntactic Foams and Thermal Refractory Materials

Abstract

Aqueous solutions of sodium polytungstate were used to fractionate samples of sugarcane bagasse ash by heavy media separation. Practically no cenospheres were recovered from the ash samples. The method was successful in separating fibrous carbonaceous particles with a uniform surface from particles containing more silica and having a less uniform surface. A geopolymer refractory brick having satisfactory durability was produced from sugarcane bagasse ash with metakaolin and ball clay fillers and a sodium metasilicate/hydroxide activator liquor. Drying and firing shrinkage, bulk density and ultimate compressive strength tests were performed to determine the most feasible combination of ingredients. Geopolymer samples produced using aluminium powder instead of ball clay were found to be very brittle and unsuitable for refractory service.