Abstract
Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) is a pozzolanic material that has great potential in concrete production. POFA sizes range from 1 to 10 μm is preferable. Thus, there is a need for efficient method to separate the POFA according to the sizes needed. This study explores the idea of using a simple wind tunnel as a separator for ultrafine POFA. The existing operation of the wind tunnel is simulated using ANSYS-CFX, a numerical modelling software. The identified weakness of the wind tunnel design is located at the hopper. The wind tunnel is simulated with a different air inlet velocity in order to visualize the air flow profile as well as air flow energy at the hopper. Different air inlet velocities has a similar air flow profile but the air flow intensity is different. For further study the modifications of the air flow profile were conducted. By altering the hopper angle shows that the air flow profile is changed. Based on the simulation results, the hopper at 60° yields the best flow characteristic. At angle 60° of the hopper, the air flow is mostly directed downward into the tunnel and the air flow energy is low. Therefore, it allows the POFA to be directed into the tunnel and reduced the ultrafine POFA losses at the tip of the hopper. This practical method utilizes a simple open wind tunnel that enables the process to be more efficient and cost efficient thus the production of ultrafine POFA can be increased.
Highlights
Palm oil has become a significant product in the global market
As millions of tons of the by-product known as Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) have been disposed off annually; it indirectly contributed a negative impact to the environment
POFA has been identified as pozzolanic material [4] which is suitable to be used in concrete production in 20th century [5]
Summary
Palm oil has become a significant product in the global market. Palm oil is obtained from a plant that is oil palm tree, scientifically known as Elaeis guineensis [1]. Malaysia has endeavoured to advance with the increasing demand for vegetable oil as palm oil industry is one of the biggest agricultural industries.[3]. As millions of tons of the by-product known as Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) have been disposed off annually; it indirectly contributed a negative impact to the environment. POFA has been identified as pozzolanic material [4] which is suitable to be used in concrete production in 20th century [5]. This waste material can be integrated as a partial cement replacement to produce various types of concrete which consume lesser amount of cement, more environmental friendly and economical [4]. As the fineness of the POFA influenced the strength of the concrete [3], it is essential to have a proper method to separate the ultrafine POFA in order to get ultrafine POFA sizes range from 1 to 10μm. [6]
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