Characterisation of sugar cane straw waste as pozzolanic material for construction: Calcining temperature and kinetic parameters

This paper reports on the influence of calcining temperature (800 and 1000 °C) on the pozzolanic activation of sugar cane straw (SCS). The reaction kinetics of SCS ash–lime mixtures were inferred from physicochemical characteristics (X-ray diffraction patterns and thermogravimetry analysis. The fitting of a kinetic–diffusive model to the experimental data (fixed lime versus time) allowed the computing of the kinetic parameters (reaction rate constant) of the pozzolanic reaction. Results obtained confirm that the sugar cane straw ash (SCSA) calcined at 800 and 1000 °C have properties indicative of very high pozzolanic activity. No influence of calcining temperature on the pozzolanic activity was observed. Also, no crystalline compounds during the pozzolanic reaction were identified up to 90 days of reaction. Environmental durability and strength of the consequential mortars remain to be assessed.