Title:
Physical and Chemical Properties of Municipal Solid Waste Fly Ash
Author(s):
Jubal D. Hamernik and Gregory C. Frantz
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
88
Issue:
3
Appears on pages(s):
294-301
Keywords:
cements; chemical analysis; concretes; fly ash; wastes; physical properties; pozzolans; Materials Research
DOI:
10.14359/1929
Date:
5/1/1991
Abstract:
The physical and chemical properties of several types of fly ash obtained from the burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) were determined. Variables included the type of fly ash {from a mass-burn plant or from a processed refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plant}, as well as three different plant operating conditions (determined by furnace temperature, loading rate, and emissions) for the RDF material. Tests included chemical analysis, particle size and surface structure, specific gravity, loss on ignition, moisture content and absorption, pozzolanic activity indexes with lime and cement, and time of set. Test results indicate that the RDF fly ashes generally met the Class C pozzolan requirements except for fineness or loss on ignition. The mass-burn fly ash did not meet several of the chemical requirements for Class C pozzolans. Although the mean particle size of the MSW fly ashes was larger than 45 microns, most of the fly ashes met the requirements of ASTM C 618 for pozzolanic activity. "Better" burning conditions of the RDF produced fly ashes with higher pozzolanic indexes with cement. The MSW fly ashes showed high amounts of several leachable heavy metals.