Implementation of an automated dryer with solar collector

This research work consists of the development of an automated sustainable drying system using forced and preheated air to reduce the production time of handmade bricks, so a dryer witha solar collector wasimplemented to take advantage of the energy from solar radiation. A virtualinstrument was developed, which allows to visualize the variables of temperature and humidityinside the drying chamber, additionally a temperature control was implemented, this control allows the system to maintain a constant temperature during the drying process. Samples were taken from the production of the brick kiln “El Tejar” and dried by this device, thenthe drying times and their physical and mechanical properties were compared, finding that the bricks dried with the proposed prototype retained these properties. As for the compressive strength tests for samples of both processes was around 30.6 Kgf/cm2 and 31.2 Kgf/cm2, the deflection resistance was around 1.2 Kgf/cm2 and 1.3 Kgf/cm2, the initial absorption rate was around 0.3 g/cm2/min and 0.4 g/cm2/min, and finally the percentage of water absorption for both processes were around 12.9% and 13.1%. The difference lies in the drying times, since drying in the artisanal brick kilns takes about 15 daysin the proposed dryer takes 9 days, resulting in a decrease of 40% in this process.

A STUDY ON DIFFERENT PROPERTIES OF CEMENT MORTAR BY PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF FINE AGGREGATE WITH BOTTOM ASH

This paper consists of the results of an experimental research on the effect of bottom ash as partial replacement of natural sand on the properties of cement mortar. The experimental works were carried out by replacement of fine aggregate with varying percentages of bottom ash i.e. 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. As the microstructure of mortar matrix changes with varying water cement ratio, the w/c was kept constant i.e. 0.45.Mortar cubes of 70.6mm×70.6mm×70.6mm were casted and vibrated on an electrically operated vibrator. Then various tests including compressive strength, water permeable porosity (apparent porosity), percentage of water absorption, sorptivity were performed on mortar cubes replaced with bottom ash. The results were compared with the results of control mix and all the tests were performed at 3, 7, 28, 56 and 90 days. Based on the results, it is concluded that fine aggregates can be replaced up to 20% with bottom ash in cement mortar.

Sustainable Production of Roofing Tiles Using Glycerine Pitch as An Alternative Binder

A large quantity of glycerine pitch (GP) generated from the oleo-chemical industry has led to significant environmental issues when it is disposed of without proper treatment. This study investigated the possibility of utilizing glycerine pitch as an alternative binder in the production of roofing tile, namely GP-RT. The percentage of GP incorporated by weight of tile ranges from 3 – 9 %. A transverse strength test was performed on the tiles in dry and wet conditions to investigate their durability in harsh conditions. A water absorption test was performed to determine the water uptake of the tiles produced. The specimen with the greatest flexural strength was achieved when 7% of GP was utilized. The mechanical properties of the tile can be enhanced when GP was mixed with a similar amount of used cooking oil (UCO), which achieved the greatest strength (4389 N and 9.48 MPa) when 5% of GP and 5% of UcO were used for the tile’s production. The water resistivity of the tiles can be enhanced by the coating process. The lowest percentage of water absorption (2.82%) and the greatest wet transverse strength (2746 N) were achieved when the tile was coated with a layer of UCO via the immersion method. Conclusively, the full replacement of cement with GP as an alternative binder is possible. The incorporation of multiple waste materials (GP, UCO, and fly ash) in tile production is a feasible attempt to reduce the disposal of these waste materials to landfills, thus preserves a greener environment for future generations.

Improving Hydrophobicity of Tropical Hardwood along Axial Positions

Wood is hygroscopic and is considered dimensionally unstable materials when exposed to wet conditions. To increase the hydrophobicity of wood, this study focused on the modification of tropical hardwood (Triplochiton scleroxylon) along different positions of the stem using acetic anhydride The weight percent gain (WPG) was determined and acetylation reaction was confirmed with FTIR. The dimensional stability of the wood was characterized by water absorption (WA), volumetric swelling (VS), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), and water repellent efficiency (WRE). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance at α0.05. It was observed that the weight gain (WG) by acetylation increases along the axial position (base to top) of T. scleroxylon wood. IR-spectra confirmed properly the substitution of the acetyl group. The treatment resulted in a marked improvement in the WA and VS, ASE, and WRE of acetylated T. scleroxylon wood were also found to improve considerably from base to top of the wood. It could be said that the WPG and hydrophobicity increased, but the percentage of water absorption and volumetric swelling diminished. Hence, the modified wood showed good hydrophobicity and improved dimensional stability.

A STUDY ON DIFFERENT PROPERTIES OF CEMENT MORTAR BY PARTIAL REPLACEMENT OF FINE AGGREGATE WITH BOTTOM ASH

This paper consists of the results of an experimental research on the effect of bottom ash as partial replacement of natural sand on the properties of cement mortar. The experimental works were carried out by replacement of fine aggregate with varying percentages of bottom ash i.e. 15%, 20%, 25% and 30%. As the microstructure of mortar matrix changes with varying water cement ratio, the w/c was kept constant i.e. 0.45.Mortar cubes of 70.6mm×70.6mm×70.6mm were casted and vibrated on an electrically operated vibrator. Then various tests including compressive strength, water permeable porosity (apparent porosity), percentage of water absorption, sorptivity were performed on mortar cubes replaced with bottom ash. The results were compared with the results of control mix and all the tests were performed at 3, 7, 28, 56 and 90 days. Based on the results, it is concluded that fine aggregates can be replaced up to 20% with bottom ash in cement mortar.

The effect of corn stalk fiber loading on tensile properties and absorption ability on polybutadiene adipate terephalate composite.

The natural fiber have recently become attractive and been widely used as reinforcement material to replace synthetic fiber as a concern to environmental issue. However, there are some of natural fiber unable to perform well as reinforcement material due to their natural properties. In this research study, the corn stalk fiber was selected as natural fiber reinforced with polybutadiene adipate terephalate (PBAT) to form bio-composite materials. There are two type of PBAT used which are in pellets form and powder form. The objectives of using different type of PBAT are to identify their compatibility with filler and the dispersion of corn stalk fiber in both forms of matrix. Then, the both type of PBAT also compounded with difference loadings of corn stalk fiber. Lastly, their effect on tensile properties and absorption ability were identified. After the test is run, the composite of neat PBAT in powder form shows highest tensile strength and elongation at break but lowest in water absorption percentage compared to others. However, the composition of pellets PBAT with 30wt% of corn stalk fiber shows highest percentage of water absorption compared to others.

Effect of Silicon Carbide on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Snake Grass/Sisal Fiber Reinforced Hybrid Epoxy Composites

In this study, an attempt was made to develop and characterize Snake Grass Fiber (SGF)/Silicon Carbide (SiC)/epoxy and Snake Grass Fiber/Sisal Fiber (SF)/Silicon Carbide/epoxy hybrid composites using a compression moulding technique. Mechanical characteristics of the produced hybrid composites such as tensile, flexural, and hardness tests were analyzed. Also experiments have been carried out to predict the thermal stability of the fabricated composite samples. The interface between fiber and matrix was examined by using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Among SGF/SiC/epoxy and SGF/SF/SiC/epoxy composites, it has been observed that hybrid composite SGF/SF/SiC/epoxy exhibits the higher hardness of 82 Shore-D, tensile strength of 51 MPa and flexural strength of 73 MPa. In contrast to the mechanical properties, the percentage of water absorption was lower in the SGF/SiC/epoxy hybrid composite. It is proven from the results that the SGF/SF/SiC/epoxy hybrid composites will enhance the strength of the composites. This composite material is also a potential candidate for the hardware of energy devices including electrochemical energy along with Fuel Cell systems.

Effect of Plastic and Tire Wastes on Marshall Properties, Density and Water Absorption of Polymer Pavement

The amount of plastic wastes and tire wastes were continuously increasing. The old tires and polymer which was low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were used to create polymer-modified pavement to get rid of plastic wastes and tire wastes replacing asphalt road. LDPE of 15 wt% was the main matrix material of the modified road pavement instead of asphalt; moreover, ground tire rubber (GTR) at various concentration of 3, 5, 7 and 10 phr was used as the additive mixed with mineral aggregates of 85 wt%. In this study, the Marshall method was used to prepare the sample. The properties of Marshall stability, Marshall flow, bulk specific gravity and voids of the polymer-modified pavement were studied for comparing to commercial asphalts. The results showed that the strength of the modified pavement increased which was higher than commercial asphalts although void concentration increased. The bulk specific gravity decreased as increasing amount of GTR. The percentage of water absorption increased as addition of GTR content. This study might be benefits in reduction of waste and valuable resources as bitumen, and also recovery an environment

The Effects of Using Ceramic Waste Powder and Palm Fiber on Mortar properties

There are multiple industries that generate ceramic in the world. The ceramic waste ends as a landfill; and there is no it’s recycle. Moreover, palm fibers can be used for various purposes such as it can be mixed with mortar in order to minimize cracks. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of using ceramic waste powder and palm fiber on properties of mortar. OPC is partially replaced with ceramic waste powder with different percentages such as 10%, 20%, and 30% and palm fiber is added with 10% of replacement only at 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% of the weight of cement. The specimens are compared with the reference mix in the water absorption test under 105co for 24/h and compressive strength test after 7 and 14 days. The results showed that the optimum percentage of cement replacement with ceramic powder was 10%. Regarding the fiber, the percentage of water absorption got increased while increasing the fiber. The compressive strength of mortar with fiber was obtained more than the normal. More percentage of fiber led to more strength of mortar.