Alejandro Escalera’s research while affiliated with Polytechnic University of Valencia and other places

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Publications (2)


Auto-Combustion of Corn Straw: Production and Characterization of Corn Straw Ash (CSA) for Its Use in Portland Cement Mortars
  • Article
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September 2024

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34 Reads

Materials

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Alejandro Escalera

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Agricultural waste availability implies the possibility of recovering energy as biomass. The collateral effect is the production of ashes that, in some cases, have the potential to be reused in the manufacture of cement, mortar, and concrete. This article presents the study of the auto-combustion (unlike all previous studies) of corn (maize) straw (stems and leaves). The auto-combustion temperature was monitored, and the obtained corn straw ash (CSA) was characterized by means of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the behavior of ground CSA was analyzed in both the fresh state by measurement of workability on the spreading table and the hardened state by compressive strength measurement on mortars in which 10% of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was replaced with CSA. These values were compared to both a control mortar (OPC) and a mortar in which OPC was partially replaced with 10% limestone filler. Ashes showed adequate pozzolanic reactivity because, at 90 curing days, the compressive strength of the mortars with 10% replacement of OPC with CSA was practically equal (98% of the strength) to the control mortar without pozzolan replacement. The auto-combustion of biomass is a process that can be easily available, and the results on pozzolanic reactivity of CSA are satisfactory. The auto-combustion could be used by low-income communities to reduce Portland cement clinker use and to recover waste.

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Figure 2. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs of Arundo donax cane dried at 105 °C: (a) general view of the external part (C-E); (b) detailed view of C-E with holes and protuberances; (c) general view of the internal part (C-I) containing a zone with the intact epidermis and a zone without it showing the internal cellular structure; (d) detailed view of the internal cellular structure with perforations (pits).
Figure 8. Ternary diagram for the classification of biomass ashes (according to [18]) indicating Arundo donax-derived ashes.
Figure 9. Autocombustion container: (a) Arundo donax leaves and sheath leaves before ignition; (b) remaining ashes after autocombustion.
An Approach to a New Supplementary Cementing Material: Arundo donax Straw Ash

November 2018

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271 Reads

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10 Citations

Sustainability

Arundo donax is a plant native to Asia and is considered an invader species in the Mediterranean region and many tropical zones in the world. These invader plants can be collected to produce a biomass, which can be converted to ash by combustion. The scope of the study is to assess the use of these ashes (Arundo donax straw ash [ADSA]) as supplementary cementing material due to their relatively high silica content. Electron microscopy studies on dried and calcined samples of different plant parts (cane, sheath leaf and leaf) were carried out. Some different cellular structures were identified in the spodogram (remaining skeleton after calcination). Major silica content was found in leaves and sheath leaves. The main element in all the ashes studied, together with oxygen, was potassium (22 to 46% depending on the part of the plant). Chloride content was also high (5–13%), which limits their use to non-steel reinforced concrete. The pozzolanic reactivity of ADSA was assessed in pastes by thermogravimetric analysis and in mortars with ordinary Portland cement based on compressive strength development. Excellent results were found in terms of reactivity.

Citations (1)


... PLA). Furthermore, micropatterning capability of OleoPlast has been demonstrated through compression molding, producing a replica of an Arundo donax leaf (Fig. 5b and c), wherein structures of a few microns, such as stomata [75], can be appreciated in the inset. This property positions the material as a potential new platform for bio-soft robotics and microfluidics, presenting itself as a sustainable thermoplastic alternative to PDMS, which currently stands as a preferred choice in these fields. ...

Reference:

Beyond Plastic: Oleogel as gel-state biodegradable thermoplastics
An Approach to a New Supplementary Cementing Material: Arundo donax Straw Ash

Sustainability