Effect of swine-waste bio-char on the water absorption characteristics of cement pastes

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of an admixture, Swine-waste Bio-char (SB), on the water absorption characteristics of cement pastes. Design/methodology/approach The effect of SB percentages, heat treatment temperatures, water/binder ratios, and age on the water absorption percentages (WAPs) of SB modified cement pastes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectra, FTIR, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and laboratory experiments. Findings The WAPs of cement pastes with SBs produced at the low treatment temperature (LTT) of 340°C and 400°C were significantly lower (p<0.01) than pastes with SBs produced at the high treatment temperature (HTT) of 600°C and 800°C. This was attributed primarily to the more dominant presence of hydrophobic alkyl surface groups from non-volatilized matter in LTT-SBs. This had also resulted in lower surface areas and pore volumes in LTT-SBs. As a result of the volatilization of these labile hydrophobic groups at HTT, HTT-SBs were more hydrophilic and had higher surface areas and pore volumes. Consequently, HTT-SB pastes had higher WAPs and no significant differences (p<0.05) existed between HTT-SB pastes and control pastes. Also, low water/binder ratios and aging reduced water absorption of SB modified cement pastes. Practical implications LTT-SBs reduce water absorption and could reduce concrete deterioration; and as such, associated building repair, maintenance, and adaptation costs. Notably, reductions in concrete water absorption will extend the service life of concrete buildings and infrastructures, particularly in unfavorable environmental conditions. The observed benefits are tempered by the current lack of information on the effects of SB on compression strength, workability, and other durability properties. Social implications SB utilization in concrete buildings will enhance swine-waste disposal and reduce negative environmental impacts on swine farming communities; consequently, improving their quality of life. Originality/value Current bio-char research is focused on plant-derived bio-char toward soil remediation and contaminant removal, with very limited applications in concrete. This research advances knowledge for developing livestock-derived bio-char, as a PCRM, toward more sustainable and durable concrete structures.

Recent advancements in the use of biochar for cementitious applications: A review

“…The re duc tion in the work a bil ity of mor tar mix tures with the incor po ra tion of biochar as re place ment of the Port land ce ment can be as so ci ated with the higher wa ter ab sorp tion of the biochar which resulted in lim ited wa ter avail able for work a bil ity. Sim i larly, Ofori -Boadu et al [ 133 ] re ported a re duc tion in flow when swine biochar was in cor po rated as a re place ment of Port land ce ment in ce ment pastes. The flu id ity of paste con tain ing 2.5%, 5% and 10% swine biochar as re place ment of Port land ce ment is 20%, 33% and 36% lower than the paste with out biochar.…”

Physiochemical characterization of agricultural waste biochars for partial cement replacement

“…The adoption and commercialization of such agricultural waste-modified CBMs would create employment and improve living standards. Therefore, large-scale OPC replacement with agricultural waste materials in CBMs could have structural, environmental and economic benefits (Roy et al , 2017; Gupta et al , 2018a, b; Ofori-Boadu et al , 2018a, b, 2017; Suarez-Riera et al , 2020). However, agricultural wastes are composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin and so labile content makes them unuseable in structures (Phonphuak and Chindaprasirt, 2015; Haiping et al , 2007).…”

“…Pyrolyzed agro-food waste, coffee powder and hazelnuts shells improve flexural and compression strength, when used as carbon nanoaggregates due to pozzolanic reactivity and nucleation (Retuccia and Ferro, 2016). Ofori-Boadu et al (2018a) note that lower temperature treated swine-manure biochars reduce water absorption in cement pastes as a result of residual hydrophobic surface groups from the tars and oils in raw swine manure.…”

Examination of Future Construction Career Role Preferences and Identities of Construction Students

“…Construction students who had been engaged in bio-modified concrete research had found the research experience to be very valuable and enhanced their perception about the researcher role. Their research experiences in swine-waste modified cement pastes had led to several publications, presentations, and poster sessions [18][19][20]. Construction students had so much identified with their student researcher role that they shared these research experiences during interviews with potential employers; and in one instance, research experiences had contributed to the attainment of a job offer.…”