Biochar Produced from Saudi Agriculture Waste as a Cement Additive for Improved Mechanical and Durability Properties—SWOT Analysis and Techno-Economic Assessment
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Materials
2.2. Preparation of Biochar-Concrete Specimens
2.3. Experimental Tests on Concrete Specimens
2.3.1. Compressive Strength
2.3.2. Flexural Strength
2.3.3. Electric Resistivity
2.3.4. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Compressive Strength
3.2. Flexural Strength
3.3. Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV)
3.4. Electrical Resistivity ρ (kΩ-cm)
3.5. SWOT Analysis
3.5.1. Strengths
3.5.2. Weakness
3.5.3. Opportunities
3.5.4. Threats
3.6. Technical and Economic Feasibility of the Biochar-Concrete System
4. Conclusions
- The compressive strength of biochar-concrete increased with increasing biochar content and showed a maximum 28%, 26%and 29% improvement in power at 28-day age with the incorporation of 0.75%, 1.00%, and 1.50% of biochar. The biochar-concrete containing 0.75 wt% biochar loading indicated 16% higher flexural strength than the control mix. The increased surface area, small particle size, and water retention capability of porous biochar lead to a denser concrete matrix, formation of cement hydrates, and filler effect resulting in stronger concrete.
- Biochar-concrete showed high values (>7.79 km/s) of UPV demonstrating high-performance concrete. The electrical resistivity reduced linearly with the incorporation of biochar. This confirmed the formation homogeneous and denser biochar-concrete network resulting in lower permeable concrete.
- The SWOT and techno-economic assessment analysis further corroborates that the biochar-concrete system possessed the high potential to be commercially adopted as green and sustainable material despite the economic and engineering challenges.
- In general, it is suggested that biochar derived from Saudi agriculture waste can be used as a beneficial product for infrastructure designs requiring high-performance and durable building materials to attain technical and environmental benefits.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Specimen | Cement (kg/m3) | Sand (kg/m3) | Gravel (kg/m3) | Biochar (kg/m3) | w/c Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Control | 466.56 | 685 | 934 | - | 0.45 |
0.25 wt% BC | 465.39 | 685 | 934 | 1.166 | 0.45 |
0.50 wt% BC | 466.22 | 685 | 934 | 2.33 | 0.45 |
0.75 wt% BC | 463.06 | 685 | 934 | 3.49 | 0.45 |
1.00 wt% BC | 461.89 | 685 | 934 | 4.66 | 0.45 |
1.50 wt% BC | 459.56 | 685 | 934 | 6.99 | 0.45 |
Strengths | Weaknesses |
---|---|
| Biochar production is an energy-intensive process Biochar dispersion in concrete is not homogeneous Biochar possessed varied surface morphology Limited research High biochar production cost Lower acceptability |
Opportunities | Threats |
| High energy consumption in biochar production Limited technology advancements |
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Khan, K.; Aziz, M.A.; Zubair, M.; Amin, M.N. Biochar Produced from Saudi Agriculture Waste as a Cement Additive for Improved Mechanical and Durability Properties—SWOT Analysis and Techno-Economic Assessment. Materials 2022, 15, 5345. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155345
Khan K, Aziz MA, Zubair M, Amin MN. Biochar Produced from Saudi Agriculture Waste as a Cement Additive for Improved Mechanical and Durability Properties—SWOT Analysis and Techno-Economic Assessment. Materials. 2022; 15(15):5345. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155345
Chicago/Turabian StyleKhan, Kaffayatullah, Muhammad Arif Aziz, Mukarram Zubair, and Muhammad Nasir Amin. 2022. "Biochar Produced from Saudi Agriculture Waste as a Cement Additive for Improved Mechanical and Durability Properties—SWOT Analysis and Techno-Economic Assessment" Materials 15, no. 15: 5345. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155345