• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2021

Rice Husk Ash (RHA) geopolymer paste activated by sodium aluminate were characterized by X-ray diffractogram (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion X-Ray analysis (EDAX)and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Five series of RHA geopolymer specimens were prepared by varying the Si/Al ratio as 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. The paper focuses on the correlation of microstructure with hardened state parameters like bulk density, apparent porosity, sorptivity, water absorption and compressive strength. XRD analysis peaks indicates quartz, cristobalite and gibbsite for raw RHA and new peaks corresponding to Zeolite A in geopolymer specimens. In general, SEM micrographs show interconnected pores and loosely packed geopolymer matrix except for specimens made with Si/Al of 2.0 which exhibited comparatively better matrix. Incorporation of Al from sodium aluminate were confirmed with the stretching and bending vibration of Si-O-Si and O-Si-O observations from the FTIR analysis of geopolymer specimen. The dense microstructure of SA2.0 correlate into better performance in terms of 28 days maximum compressive strength of 16.96 MPa and minimum for porosity, absorption and sorptivity among the specimens. However, due to the higher water demand to make the paste workable, the value of porosity, absorption and sorptivity were reportedly higher as compared with other geopolymer systems. Correlation regression equations were proposed to validate the interrelation between physical parameters and mechanical strength. RHA geopolymer shows comparatively lower compressive strength as compared to Fly ash geopolymer.

• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2021

Rice Husk Ash (RHA) geopolymer paste activated by sodium aluminate were characterized by X-ray diffractogram (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersion X-Ray analysis (EDAX)and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Five series of RHA geopolymer specimens were prepared by varying the Si/Al ratio as 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. The paper focuses on the correlation of microstructure with hardened state parameters like bulk density, apparent porosity, sorptivity, water absorption and compressive strength. XRD analysis peaks indicates quartz, cristobalite and gibbsite for raw RHA and new peaks corresponding to Zeolite A in geopolymer specimens. In general, SEM micrographs show interconnected pores and loosely packed geopolymer matrix except for specimens made with Si/Al of 2.0 which exhibited comparatively better matrix. Incorporation of Al from sodium aluminate were confirmed with the stretching and bending vibration of Si-O-Si and O-Si-O observations from the FTIR analysis of geopolymer specimen. The dense microstructure of SA2.0 correlate into better performance in terms of 28 days maximum compressive strength of 16.96 MPa and minimum for porosity, absorption and sorptivity among the specimens. However, due to the higher water demand to make the paste workable, the value of porosity, absorption and sorptivity were reportedly higher as compared with other geopolymer systems. Correlation regression equations were proposed to validate the interrelation between physical parameters and mechanical strength. RHA geopolymer shows comparatively lower compressive strength as compared to Fly ash geopolymer.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.38-47
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• 2018

Integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) is a next generation energy production technology that converts coal into syngas with enhanced power generation efficiency and environmental performance. IGCC produces almost coal gasification slag as the solid by-product. IGCC slag is generated about 140,000 tons for a year although recycling of it is still in the early stages. We evaluated the potential of IGCC slag which is generated from a pilot plant in South Korea as an alkali-activated cement. Samples which were activated with the combined activator of sodium silicate solution and caustic soda had an average compressive strength of 4.5 MPa, showing expansion. Expansion of the alkali-activated slag was presumed to be caused by free CaO in the slag, although it was not detected by the ethylene glycol method. Samples that were activated with the combined activator of sodium aluminate and caustic soda had an average compressive strength of 10 MPa. Hydroxy sodalite and $C_3AH_6$ were found to be the new crystalline phases. IGCC slag can be used as an alkali-activated material, but the strength performance should be improved with proper mix design approach to calculate optimum proportions which can alleviate the expansion issue at the same time.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.23-29
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• 2019

In order to recover pure alumina from balck dross, precipiatation experiments were done to the NaOH leaching solution of mechanically activated black dross. In this work, hydrogen peroxide was added to the synthic solution as a precipitating agent. Among some variables, the concentration of $H_2O_2$ and the volume ratio of $H_2O_2$ to solution showed a remarkable effect on the precipitation of aluminum hydroxide. At the optimum conditions, most of the aluminate was precipitated. Calcination of the aluminum hydroxide at $1200^{\circ}C$ led to the formation of ${\theta}$ and ${\alpha}$-alumina. The charactistics of the synthesized activated alumina was measured by XRD and EDS. The average particles size of the alumina was $3.73{\mu}m$.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 2020

Particulate matters of PM_2.5, particularly focusing on 0.1~1 ㎛ decrease the efficiency of dust-collector due to the brownian-motion. This study is to verify the effect of coagulant on the particle size distributions of potassium and PM_2.5. The activated coagulant was spayed to the coal fired fluidized bed combustion boiler by the weight ratio of 1,200 : 1 = coal : coagulant, and the size distributions of captured particles at both the cyclone (FP) and electrostatic precipitator (EP) were measured. As the result of XRP analysis, the potassium content of FP increased to 13.33% (averagely from 1.65% to 1.87%) and, in EP at 17.68% (averagely from 1.65% to 2.03%). And it was confirmed by the particle size distribution analyzer and SEM image analysis that the distribution rates of PM_2.5 decreased at 89.53% on average in FP, and at 88.57% in EP. The total dust concentration (mg/㎥) confirmed by tele-monitering system (TMS) decreased during the primary test from 2.6 to 1.7~1.9 and also the secondary test from 2.9 to 1.7~1.9.