Characterization of ashes produced from different biomass fuels used in combustion systems in a pulp and paper industry towards its recycling

In the boilers of pulp mills the fuel blends used vary because they are essentially composed of residual forest biomass. Consequently, the physical-chemical properties of the produced ash streams can exhibit high temporal variability, making their proper management and recycling difficult. This study aims to characterize the ash from the incineration of biomass samples used as fuel in order to understand its influence on the properties of the generated ash fluxes. This can anticipate suitable blending procedures that minimize the variability of the ash characteristics. For this purpose, typical biomass samples (eucalyptus bark, treetops and knots, pine treetops, silver wattle, Sydney golden wattle, white poplar, and grey willow) were incinerated (at 550 and 825 °C) and the resulting ashes were characterized. The thermal behavior of the biomass was evaluated by TG/DTA and the generated ash content was determined. The particle size distribution (laser diffraction), morphology (SEM), mineralogy (XRD), and chemical composition (XRF) were other evaluated properties. From the results obtained it is concluded that the ashes cannot be used as raw materials for clinker production. However, they can be used in concrete and mortar formulations, as a cement substitute or as filler. The maximum incorporation amount depends on the type of biomass used, ranging from 54 wt% for pine treetops to 100 wt% for eucalyptus bark. This knowledge is fundamental to understand how to optimize the biomass blends used in industrial combustion systems to obtain ashes with suitable properties to be used as secondary raw materials in building materials formulations.