Influence of the Main Process Parameters on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of the Bottom Ash Ceramics

Abstract

Bottom ash has been presented as a major problem of disposal throughout the world, since it is produced from the process of coal combustion in thermal power plants. However, its physical and chemical properties make the bottom ash an adequate potential construction material in variety of applications.
The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of utilization of bottom ash for production of ceramics compacts and to analyse the influence of the main process parameters and their interaction on the physical and mechanical properties of the final product.
Consolidation of the powders was conducted on two bottom ash samples with particle size (S) -0.250+0.125 mm and -0.500+0.250 mm, pressing pressure (P) of 100 and 150 MPa and sintering temperature (T) of 1100 and 1150 oC. The density (r) and bending strength (s) of the dense bottom ash compacts were the response function. The optimization was performed through implementation of main effect plots, Pareto charts and 3D surface method using “Statgraphics Centurion” software package.
The obtained model equations of the density and bending strength dependence from the main process parameters are solid basic data for modeling the process of ceramic production.