Cement production with pozzolans from residual tropical soils formed from paragneiss with a high silicon oxide content

Abstract

The manufacture of cement demands a lot of energy and gives off large amounts of CO2. Calcined clays need less energy and emit water instead of CO2, which has drawn attention to them, especially those rich in kaolinite. However, their use has been discouraged due to their location and high market price. Hence, the present study focuses on calcined clays with a low kaolinite content, specifically those derivedfrom paragneiss. In Colombia they are located in weathering horizons with depths of up to 40 meters. The results showed contents of 20%Al2O3, less than 14% Fe2O3, more than 60% SiO2, less than 40% kaolinite, 20% illite and more than 30% quartz. Calcined at 750 °C, they were used in mortars, obtaining SAI values of between 80 and 100% after 28 days, which, added to the results of Frattini tests, show that their use as a supplementary cementing material is feasible.