Influência do uso de aditivos na moagem de cinzas de casca de arroz para sua adequação como co-produto

Abstract

According to the new environmental paradigms, the pursuit of sustainable development is essential for the lengthening of natural reserves and reduction of pollution. In order to minimize negative environmental impacts, ever more investments are made in research about the efficient use of nonrenewable natural resources. Agribusiness is a major generator of waste and due to that fact, begins to realize the importance of proper disposal. Rice husk ash (RHA), which proceeds from the burning of the husk for energy generation, is generated in large quantities and low density, making it difficult to manage, as it requires a large space for storage and disposal. Thus, recycling this ash becomes an excellent alternative to minimize the environmental impact caused by its inappropriate disposal and reduce landfill disposal costs. RHA has a high content of silica in its composition, making its use possible as a by-product to several industries such as: construction, ceramics, chemical, glass and steel. To encourage the placement of this waste as a by-product with higher aggregated value, this study aims to contribute to increase the efficiency of rice husk ash milling. In this way, additives were used to facilitate the milling for its suitability as a by-product, considering the quality, time and process economy. To elaborate this study, the rice husk ash was ground with and without additives in four different times (30min., 1h, 2h and 4h) and two types of additives were used, a commercial additive and a solid waste from the metal-mechanic industry (cleaning cast parts dust). These additives were added in three different concentrations: 0.03, 0.045 and 0.06% for the commercial additive and 2, 6 and 10% for the dust. To evaluate the milling process, chemical, physical and structural characterizations were carried out for all samples: as received RHA, segregated RHA and grounded RHA. The characterization of RHA, used in this dissertation, showed a material more adequate, when compared to former works using RHA from the same source, confirming the influence of the energetic efficiency of the rice shell burning on the RHA quality as by-product. In relation to the additives SIKA-GRIND 200 and granalha dust, the results indicated that they did not influence significantly in the decreasing of medium diameter of RHA particles. However, the use of additives to reduce the size of the RHA grains must be better studied to qualify RHA as a raw material to civil construction.