Development of Geopolymers as Substitutes for Traditional Ceramics for Bricks with Chamotte and Biomass Bottom Ash

Abstract

The greater environmental awareness, new environmental regulations and the optimization of resources make possible the development of sustainable materials as substitutes for the traditional materials used in construction. In this work, geopolymers were developed as substitutes to traditional ceramics for brick manufacture, using as raw materials: chamotte, as a source of aluminosilicate, and biomass bottom ashes from the combustion of almond shell and alpeorujo (by-product produced in the extraction of olive oil composed of solid parts of the olive and vegetable fats), as the alkaline activator. For the feasibility study, samples were made of all possible combinations of both residues from 100% chamotte to 100% biomass bottom ash. The tests carried out on these sample families were the usual physical tests for ceramic materials, notably the compression strength test, as well as colorimetric tests. The freezing test was also carried out to study the in-service behavior of the different sample groups. The families with acceptable results were subjected to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The results of the previous tests showed that the geopolymer was indeed created for the final families and that acceptable mechanical and aging properties were obtained according to European standards. Therefore, the possibility of creating geopolymers with chamotte and biomass bottom ashes as substitutes for conventional ceramics was confirmed, developing an economical, sustainable material, without major changes in equipment and of similar quality to those traditionally used for bricks.

Durability of Sustainable Ceramics Produced by Alkaline Activation of Clay Brick Residue

“…Sodium silicate or alkali metal hydroxide (Na or K) are frequently used activators to produce alkali-activated materials [18]. The most commonly used precursors are materials that have good pozzolanic activity when mixed with Portland cement, such as fly ash [19], blast furnace slag [20], and calcined clays [21].…”

“…The most commonly used precursors are materials that have good pozzolanic activity when mixed with Portland cement, such as fly ash [19], blast furnace slag [20], and calcined clays [21]. Additionally, several by-products and industrial wastes have been used as precursor material [22], such as red mud from the bauxite beneficiation process [23], rice husk ashes [24], glass waste [25,26], wastes from ceramic production [18,[27][28][29], among others.…”

Available Pathways for Operationalizing Circular Economy into the Olive Oil Supply Chain: Mapping Evidence from a Scoping Literature Review

“…The possible incorporation of olive pomace into clay bodies for developing ecofriendly ceramic materials has been positively assessed [75,80], although results from a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) indicate that associated environmental benefits are very limited [77]. Biomass bottom ash deriving from the combustion of olive cake or olive pomace together with almond shell can act as alkaline activator to develop chamotte-based geopolymers as substitutes for ceramic bricks [81]. Olive mill wastewater can replace fresh water, conventionally mixed with ceramic clayey raw materials, for developing building bricks with improved thermal insulation capability and reliable mechanical behavior [79].…”

“…Another option proposed by [81] is combusting olive cake or olive pomace together with almond shell to obtain an alkaline activator from biomass bottom ash, to develop chamotte-based geopolymers, as substitutes of traditional ceramics for brick manufacture.…”

Utilización de geopolímero para la mejora de las propiedades en morteros cal-puzolana y su empleo en países en desarrollo.

“…Entre estas fuentes alternativas podemos mencionar la ceniza de cascara de arroz [38], [39], los residuos vítreos urbanos e industriales [40], la tierra de diatomea [41], la ceniza de la paja de caña de azúcar [42], residuos de hormigón [43], biomasa provenientes de la combustión de cáscara de almendra y alpeorujo (subproducto producido en la extracción de aceite de oliva compuesto por partes sólidas de la aceituna y grasas vegetales) [44], residuos del corte de la piedra (mármol, piedra volcánica) [45].…”