Current Science

Mangesh V. Madurwar ¹, Sachin A. Mandavgane ², Rahul V. Ralegaonkar ³

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Construction Management and Research, Pune 411 045, IN
2 Department of Chemical Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, South Ambazari Road, Nagpur 440 010, IN
3 Department of Civil Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, South Ambazari Road, Nagpur 440 010, IN

Abstract

Application of bio-fuel by-product sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) as a principal raw material for the manufacturing of bricks was studied. The bricks were developed using the quarry dust (QD) as a replacement to natural river sand and lime (L) as a binder. SBA as a principal raw material was characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRF confirms SBA as a cementitious material. TGA confirms thermal stability till 650°C, whereas SEM monograph shows individual ash with a rough surface and numerous fine pores. Elemental analysis of quarry dust and lime was also carried out using XRF and classic wet test. The physical properties of quarry dust and lime were determined using the laboratory test methods. SBA-QD-L combination bricks were designed and developed in different mix proportions. Physico-mechanical properties of the developed bricks were studied according to recommended standards. The results of the SBA-QD-L bricks were compared with physico-mechanical properties of commercially available burnt clay-and-flyash bricks. It was observed that SBA-QD-L bricks are lighter in weight, energy efficient and meet compressive strength requirements of IS 1077:1992. The bricks also serve the purpose of solid waste management and innovative sustainable construction material. The bricks can be used in local construction especially for non-load-bearing walls.

Keywords

Bricks, Quarry Dust, Lime, Sugarcane Bagasse Ash.

Full Text

   

Vasudha D. Katare ¹, Mangesh V. Madurwar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Civil Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur 440 010, IN

Abstract

The industrial waste generated from sugar production, i.e. bagasse is further used as a biofuel. This generates a huge amount (44,000 tonnes/day) of waste in the form of sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA). Asreceived boiler SCBA shows lower performance in terms of pozzolanic characteristics. In this study, the role of mechanical and thermal treatment in improving the pozzolanicity of SCBA has been examined. The preliminary characterization of SCBA was done using laser granulometry, SEM, XRF, XRD and TG analysis. The four methods were adopted to quantify the pozzolanic behaviour, viz. reactive silica determination, pozzolanic activity index, electrical conductivity drop and Chapelle activity. Further, the experimental data were analysed using ANOVA. The coefficient of regression (0.86–0.99) reflects effective and significant logarithmic models. The study concludes that the adopted processing of SCBA is highly effective in improving the pozzolanicity. Thus the processed SCBA is a sustainable solution to the cement industry.

Keywords

Biofuel, Cement Industry, Sugarcane Bagasse Ash, Sustainable Pozzolana.

Full Text