The Open Waste Management Journal

2012, 5 : 5-10
Published online 2012 May 29. DOI: 10.2174/1876400201205010005
Publisher ID: TOWMJ-5-5

Reuse of Paper Mill Ash in Plaster Blends

Saveria Monosi , Daniela Sani and Maria Letizia Ruello
Universita Politecnica delle Marche, Department of Physic and Engineering of Materials, Italy.

ABSTRACT

This work is part of a broad research conducted to study the re-use of industrial wastes in an economical and environmentally sustainable manner. Re-use of lightweight ash from the paper mill industry in the manufacture of plaster blends is examined in this study. Lightweight ash is produced during the combustion process of de-inking sludge. Studies demonstrate that lightweight ash is an excellent ingredient in the production of cement mortars and/or pozzolanic mortars to be used as plaster. In this research, ash valorization was researched by investigating the efficacy of the ash as it is, as a substitute for very fine sand.

If properly mixed at an optimal mix proportion, the mechanical strength ranges from 4÷10MPa with specific gravity between 1150 and 1350 Kg/m3. Water absorption may be reduced to a very low level with silane-based surface treatment.

Keywords:

Paper mill ash, de-inking ash, plaster, mortar, aggregate replacing.