Improvement of acid resistance of Portland cement pastes using rice husk ash and cement kiln dust as additives

This paper represents a laboratory study on the acid resistance of hardened ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and blended OPC pastes at two different curing temperatures. The blended materials used are rice husk ash (RHA) and cement kiln dust (CKD). The blended cement pastes were prepared using a water/solid (W/S) ratio of 0.3. The effects of immersion in deionized water (pH 7) and sulfuric acid solutions (pH 1, 2 and 3) at two temperatures (20 and 50 °C) on the compressive strength and phase composition of the various hardened blended cement pastes were studied. The results of compressive strength revealed that the increase of curing temperature from 20 to 50 °C resulted in increase the reduction of compressive strength due to acid attack up 2 months, but the resistance to sulfuric acid attack increases after that time due to the formation of crystalline calcium silicate hydrates (CSH) which have higher resistance to acid attack than the amorphous CSH formed at the early ages of hydration. The presence of RHA and CKD improves the resistance to sulfuric acid attack at both curing conditions. From the results of X-ray diffraction analysis and differential scanning calorimetric technique curves, the main hydration products identified are CSH, portlandite, and calcium sulfoaluminate hydrates.     

Thermal transformations of red wall tile pastes

This work focuses on the thermal and mineralogical transformations of red wall tile pastes. The pastes contain different amounts of calcareous and are prepared with Brazilian raw materials. Thermal transformations are evaluated by TG, DTG and DTA, dilatometric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. Four endothermic transformations were identified and interpreted as the release of physically adsorbed water, dehydration of hydroxides, dehydroxylation of kaolinite, and decomposition of carbonate. An exothermic transformation within the 925–950°C range is associated to crystallization of new phases such as calcium aluminosilicates and mullite. TG measurements indicate that the total mass loss of the pastes is dependent on the amount of calcareous addition. Dilatometric analysis indicates the onset of sintering at around 900°C, leading to shrinkage of the pellets. The thermal analysis results agree well with the X-ray diffraction.     

Thermal behaviour of glazed ceramic bodies

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Flower-shaped Ni-doped Fe3O4/SnS2 composite was synthesized by a one-pot solvothermal method, where nanosized Ni-doped Fe3O4 particles were dispersed...     

Thermal analysis of spurrite from a rotary cement kiln

A number of samples from the pre-burning zone of a wet-process cement rotary kiln were examined by combined DTA/TG and XRD for estimation of spurrite (2Ca₂SiO₄·CaCO₃). It was found that decarbonation temperatures of spurrite range from 1130 to 1190 K and they are 45 to 75 K higher than that of calcite occurring in the same sample. In the TG curves calcite and spurrite can be easily distinguished and accordingly both can be estimated from the same TG scan. Combined DTA/TG, supplemented by XRD, is a very effective method for qualitative and quantitative estimation of spurrite in cement rotary kiln materials.

---

Zusammenfassung Unter kombinierter Anwendung von DTA/TG und Röntgendiffraktionsverfahren wurde eine Anzahl Proben aus einem Vorkalzinator eines Drehrohrofens zur Zementherstellung nach dem Naßverfahren auf Spurrit (2Ca₂SiO₄·CaCO₃) untersucht. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die Temperatur für das Austreiben von CO₂ bei Spurrit zwischen 1130 und 1190 K und somit um 45–75 °C höher als bei in derselben Probe vorliegenden Kalzit liegt. Aufgrund der TG-Kurven können Kalzit und Spurrit leicht voneinander unterschieden und demzufolge mit einem einzigen TG-Scan bestimmt werden. Kombinierte DTA/TG, ergänzt durch Röntgendiffraktionsverfahren ist eine sehr leistungsstarke Methode zur qualitativen und quantitativen Bestimmung von Spurrit in Stoffen aus Zementdrehrohröfen.

---

(2Ca₂SiO₄ · CaCO₃), / , , . , 1130– 1190 , 46–75 , . . /, , .

---

---

The authors are very grateful to Mr. A. H. Dalmia, president, M/s. Orissa Cement Limited, Rajgangpur for allowing to collect the samples during the stoppage of the kiln and also for his permission to publish the paper.     

Microstructural changes during the firing of wall tile and sanitaryware

The influence od firing temperature and soaking time on phase composition, porosity and some other microstructural parameters of porous wall tile and sintered sanitaryware was investigated by means of X - ray diffraction, mercury porosimetry, SEM, dilatometry, DTA, TG and ultrasonic thermal analyses. The results were interpreted on the basic of the so called ⪡ New Silicate Concept ⪢ developed by the Author. The influence of various parameters of the microstructure on the physical properties was investigated.     

Positive effects of cement kiln exhausts on legume crops under simulation study

Soil application of cement kiln exhausts (electrostatic precipitator dust) at both lower and higher concentrations did not inhibit growth, nodule formation, and productivity inCajanus cajan, vigna radiata, andVigna mungo. In fact, growth was promoted, possibly because of the dust containing most of the elements, such as N, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, K, Zn, P, S, and Cu, which are needed for plant growth and root nodulation. Foliar application of the dust did not affect chlorophylls and carotenoids. The rate of photosynthesis as measured by CO2 uptake and stomatal diffusive resistance of all legumes were not affected. There was a biomagnification of Mg and K in leaves and seeds. Addition of the ESP dust did not affect either the soil or nodule rhizobial population. It is evident that the dust did not act as a phytotoxicant but as an elixir of plant life.     

A new look at XRD patterns of archaeological ceramic bodies

In this paper, the general rules of phase transformations in calcareous clay bodies during firing were used to estimate the equivalent firing temperature (EFT) of seventeenth century polychrome Persian haft rang tiles based on their X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The novelty of this work is, however, that it handles the XRD patterns of archaeological clay bodies with principal component analysis (PCA) in order to have a new look at their firing and thermal behaviour. Statistically handling the XRD patterns, different clusters were discriminated in the clay bodies whose mineralogical composition showed various proportions of amorphous and quartz contents. The results showed interesting trends in the different clusters in terms of the EFT, quartz content and the density of the bodies. The present work uses PCA to have a new look at XRD patterns of archaeological clay bodies and, moreover, to interpret the PCA results in order to estimate the EFT of a large number of archaeological clay bodies.     

Development of waterproof engobe layer for ceramic wall tiles

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Ceramic wall tiles, which are the most popular wall coverings, are especially used for internal applications due to their high porosity and high water...     

Multielemental neutron activation analysis of fugitive dust particulates from cement factories in Central India

Knowledge of occurrence and concentration of trace elements in dust particulates from and around industrial establishments is essential to know the source of pollutants and atmosphere quality. Dust particulates from two cement factories in the central part of India were analyzed for 5 minor (Cl, Fe, K, Mg, Na) and 23 trace elements (Ag, As, Ba, Br, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Dy, Eu, Ga, Hf, Hg, La, Mn, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sr, Th, W and Zn) by INAA and RNAA techniques. Significant differences have been observed for some toxic trace elements at different locations. Mn content is particularly high in all the dust particulates. Urban particulate (SRM 1648) and Coal fly ash (SRM 1633a) from NIST and Pond sediment (CRM No. 2) from NIES were also analyzed. The data have been analyzed and interpreted in terms of air quality at different locations inside the plant and two factories.     

The reason of the collapse of an ancient kiln in Egnazia from mineralogical and thermal analysis of ceramic finds

Two kilns, one of which collapsed during firing cycle together with its entire pottery load, have been excavated at the Egnazia site in Southern Italy. To understand the reason for the collapse, ‘Broad Line’ typology pottery finds were analysed by complementary analytical techniques. Analytical results not only suggest as cause of collapse sudden overheating in kiln due to uncontrolled increases in temperature, but also indicate a good technological cycle from the recovery of raw materials to the manufacturing and firing process, which tends to disprove the common assumption of non-professional production.     

Utilization of electric arc furnace dust as an admixture to Portland cement pastes

Electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is termed as a hazardous waste due to its contamination with heavy metals. Inertization of such very fine dust can be occurred via stabilization and solidification process within the hydrated Portland cement matrix. In this paper, the effect of the addition of various ratios of EAFD on the properties of the hardened Portland cement paste was investigated. Compressive strength, chemically combine water and free lime contents were determined. In addition, phase composition using XRD; DTA analysis; as well as microstructure of the formed hydrates for some selected samples were investigated using SEM. The obtained results showed that the paste containing 1/mass% EAFD give the highest compressive strength values at most hydration ages, specially the later ages, compared to the neat Portland cement blank paste. Whileas, the pastes containing 3 and 5/mass% EAFD showed lower values of compressive strength compared to those of the blank paste.     

Does application of cement kiln exhausts affect root nodule biochemistry and soil N2-fixing microbes?

The research work carried out on cement exhausts centers mostly around vegetation and crop productivity (1-3) with little or no work on root nodulation. Soil plus foliar application of exhaust dusts did not affect soil/nodule rhizobial population, nodule initiation, and possible N₂-fixing capacity inCajanus cajan, Vigna radiata, Vigna mungo,Vigna catjung, andGlycine max. The nodular biochemistry was investigated in detail. The heme protein leghemoglobin was higher compared to the control. The levels of intermediary N compounds like total ureides of the nodules, which may serve as indirect evidence of symbiotic N₂ fixation, were higher in the treated plants. There were also increments in free proline, free amino acids, soluble proteins, soluble starch, soluble sugars, total nitrogen, and phenols in the treated plants. The levels of total nitrates, soluble sucrose, and soluble SH compounds of the nodule of the control and treated plants did not show a significant difference. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and Superoxide dismutase were significantly higher, possibly indicating their role in alleviation of H₂O₂ and O ₂ ^- damage by the exhausts. Enzymes like nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase, and glutamine synthetase, and also the activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases were not affected. The presence of beneficial soil microbes likeAzotobacter, Azospirillum, and mycorrhizae was not affected at all.     

Biochemical response of Cupressus sempervirens to cement dust: Yields and chemical composition of its essential oil

The effects of cement dust on the yield and chemical composition of the essential oil were investigated in Cupressus sempervirens. Exposure to cement dust resulted in a significant increase in the essential oil yields. Significant factory distance-related changes in qualitative and quantitative composition of the essential oil were observed. Increasing pollution with dust increased the content of monoterpene hydrocarbons concomitant to increase of α-pinene, suggesting a redirection of the secondary metabolism of C. sempervirens towards biosynthesis of monoterpenes. In contrast, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were strongly reduced. These results provide an overall picture of the different responses of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes to air pollution caused by cement dust. They also reveal the suitability of using C. sempervirens in the creation of green areas around cement factories and encourage the use of dusted plants as potential source of valuable natural products.     

Assessment of mercury emission at Norcem’s cement kiln by the use of <Superscript>203</Superscript>Hg-tracer

In manufacture of cement clinker, mercury is introduced in the cement kiln system via the fuels and as constituents in the raw matends, i.e., limestone, iron ore, etc. The permissible emission of Hg to air is very low (0.05 mg/Nm³) due to its toxicity. Thus, it is important to know how mercury distributes and behaves in the kiln system. The objective of the study was to measure the distribution of mercury in the kiln system, to measure the hold up time of Hg, to measure the portion of emission through the chimneys, and to see the dependence of the injection sites on these parameters. The results showed that the amounts of mercury being emitted through the exhaust gases were largely dependent on where it was injected. The residence time of mercury in the system was nevertheless long, after 10 hours it was still increase in the count rate of the mercury absorbed. There was also an immediate increase in the filter dust, but nothing could be measured in the clinker. This knowledge is neededfor the reduction of mercury emissions.     

Determination of elemental composition of airborne dust and dust suspended in rain

To clarify the magnitude of wash-out effect of rain on the elemental composition of airborne dust and the possible origin of the dust, the dust samples were collected with a high-volume air sampler at the JAERI-Tokai. The dust suspended in rain was also collected from rain by filtration. Up to 20 elements in both types of the dust were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. It was found that the elements determined could be classified into 3 groups from the elemental composition and the elemental correlation in both types of the dust samples.     

Onset of cohesion in cement paste

It is generally agreed that the cohesion of cement paste occurs through the formation of a network of nanoparticles of a calcium-silicate-hydrate ("C-S-H"). However, the mechanism by which these particles develop this cohesion has not been established. Here we propose a dielectric continuum model which includes all ionic interactions within a dispersion of C-S-H particles. It takes into account all co-ions and counterions explicitly (with pure Coulomb interactions between ions and between ions and the surfaces) and makes no further assumptions concerning their hydration or their interactions with the surface sites. At high surface charge densities, the model shows that the surface charge of C-S-H particles is overcompensated by Ca2+ ions, giving a reversal of the apparent particle charge. Also, at high surface charge densities, the model predicts that the correlations of ions located around neighboring particles causes an attraction between the particle surfaces. This attraction has a range of approximately 3 nm and a magnitude of 1 nN, values that are in good agreement with recent AFM experiments. These predictions are stable with respect to small changes in surface-surface separation, hydrated ion radius, and dielectric constant of the solution. The model also describes the effect of changes in cement composition through the introduction of other ions, either monovalent (Na) or multivalent (aluminum or iron hydroxide).