Geopolymerization of Boiler Slag and Coal Fly Ash for the production of

Potassium Aluminosilicate Compound

Raw Material
Nowadays, the boiler slag is only used as application on roads and ground in the
plantations and mills. The compositions of boiler slag were consisting of potassium,
silicon, phosphorous which is suitable to use as fertilizer and also additive in concrete
and cement. However, so far no study has been done about utilization of boiler slag in
production of geopolymer As such, future work will be study about the utilization of
boiler slag as geopolymer material. For there is a possibility to use boiler slag as
geopolymer material. Since boiler slag also consist silicon, further study was required
in order to investigate the probability to use boiler ash as raw material for geopolymer.
Boiler slag composed principally of silica, alumina, and iron, with smaller percentages
of calcium, magnesium, sulfates, and other compounds. The composition of the boiler
slag particles is controlled primarily by the source of the coal and not by the type of
furnace. The chemical analysis of selected samples of boiler slag from different coal
types and different regions,

Since Boiler slag contains an amount of Silica and Alumina, there is a possibility for it
to be utilized as geopolymer material.
Process: (Geopolymerization)
Synthesis

of aluminosilicate-based geopolymer was first

patented by Joseph

Dovidovitts in the late 1970s in France. Since that name geopolymer is used as the

identity of inorganic polymer. The nature and use of geopolymer to date continue to be
done in various disciplines of science and technology. The potential of the use of
geopolymer as low-tech materials include: brick, decorative stone. ceramic floor heat
insulation. Medium to high-tech materials include: fire proof coating. composites for
aircraft and automobile components. containers of toxic and radioactive waste.
Geopolymer resin consist of 2 main components [2] namely:
1. Solid particles containing the reactive nature of Si02 aiid A1203 in the fonu of
numbers and the reactive forms as well as ash. active clay. pozzolana. slag and so on.
2. Alkali activating solution. where the solution (containing water) may be an alkali
hydroxide. silicate, aluminate. carbonate and sulfate or a combination of the solution.
A Fly ash is the term used for the mention of solid particle which small rounded and
fly during coal burning process. The process of coal combustion produces 2 types ash.
fly ash and bottom ash. Fly ash was catch by the dust collector unit while the bottom
ash is the ash that remains in the bottom of furnace. The main compounds in fly ash
and bottom ash are Si02, A1203, CaO and Fe203.
Activators are substances that activate the silicon and aluminum in the fly ash to
transform from glassy to solid and hard materials, type of alkali used include sodium
and potassium in the form of hydroxide. Sulfate, carbonate, silicate or a combination
of these materials. For industrial purposes. there are 2 types of water glass. alkaline
water glass. where the ratio of Na20 and Si02 under 2.85:1 and neutral water glass.
where Na20 and Si02 over 2.85:1. Type and concentration of alkali will affect the
process of dissolution of silicon and aluminum in the liquid phase bonds between
geopolymer and solid particles that determine the mechanic al strength after curing.
Geopolymerization synthesis described by Joseph Davidovitts is by taking samples of
raw materials or precursors of metakolin MK-750 [4]. Active aluminosilicate materials
under the influence of strong alkali will dissolve and form a free Si04 and tetrahedral
AlO4, this process is called dissolution. In line with the reaction time, water will
escape, then Si04 and AlO4 will share the oxygen between the 2 units to form
tetrahedral amorphous geopolymer. There are three common types of geopolymer
chains. polysialat Al-O-Si. polysialat siloxo Al-O-Si-Si and polysialat disiloxo Al-O-SiSi-Si. The reaction begins with alkalination and the formation of tetravalent Aluminum
on the side sialate then continues with polycondensation and evenmally forms a
network of chain Na-polysialate disiloxo (albite).
The temperature and curing time is 2 factors playing an important role in the
formation of the filial structure and mechanical strength of geopolymer. Geopolymer
synthesis can take place at a temperature of 25C-90C [4]. At low temperature or

room temperature. the reaction will run very slow. At higher curing temperature
beetwen 40C - 90C. the curing process has been able increase the mechanical
strength of geopolymer. While at room temperature. activator concentration will give
considerable influence in increasing the mechanical strength of geopolymer.
Product
One relatively new type of inorganic matrix is potassium aluminosilicate, an
environmentally friendly compound made from naturally occurring materials. This
matrix is a two-part system consisting of an alumina liquid and a silica powder that
cures at a reasonably low temperature of 150C. In addition, hardeners can be added
to facilitate room-temperature curing. The Federal Aviation Administration has
investigated the feasibility of using this matrix in commercial aircraft due to its ability
to resist temperatures of up to 1000C without generating smoke and its ability to
enable carbon composites to withstand temperatures of 800C and maintain 63% of
their original flexural strength. Potassium aluminosilicate matrices are compatible
with many common building materials including clay brick, masonry, concrete, steel,
titanium, balsa, oak, pine and particleboard. Processing requirements and mechanical
properties of carbon/carbon composites; ceramic matrix composites made with silicon
carbide, silicon nitride and alumina fibres; and carbon/potassium aluminosilicate
composites indicated that the carbon / potassium aluminosilicate composites have
mechanical properties that are better than most fire-resistant composites.