A Study Into the Properties of Sandcrete Blocks Produced From Spent Catalytic Catalyst as a Partial Substitute for Portland Cement

Abstract

Spent Catalytic Catalyst (SCC) is a siliceous and aluminous material residue produced by the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) Limited of Ghana, which pose environmental concerns. The SCC has therefore been used as a partial replacement for Portland cement in sandcrete blocks production. The properties of the sandcrete blocks are therefore examined and reported in this study. Partial replacement of Portland cement in the sandcrete blocks was done within the range of 5% to 20% (by mass) with an increment of 5%. The compressive strength, water absorption and setting time data between the control and with the SCC additives were made. The results obtained show that XRD pattern of SCC is dominantly zeolites and that, the partial replacement of portland cement with 10 wt. % of SCC gave the highest sandcrete block compressive strength of 34.0 N/mm2.