article · Results in Engineering
Raw palm kernel shell and the ash produced by heating it to 900, 1000, and 1100 degrees Celsius undergo distinct structural and chemical changes. Raw shell material exhibits a moisture content of 6.56 percent, an ash content of 8.86 percent, and a density of 745 kilograms per cubic metre. Heating shifts its dark brown appearance through different brown gradations while increasing the concentration of silica, which is the primary constituent. Chemical analyses confirm a predominance of silicon compounds, specifically silanol and siloxane functional groups, with the silica existing in the crystalline form of quartz. Microscopy reveals that raising the combustion temperature alters the microstructure by decreasing pore concentration. These derived silica compounds show potential for use as partial reinforcing components within metal matrix composite formulations.
Converting agricultural by-products into industrial materials supports sustainable manufacturing and waste valorisation. Establishing how processing temperatures affect the mineral composition and microstructural porosity of palm kernel shell ash provides the technical foundation necessary to determine whether plant waste can replace conventional mineral reinforcements in advanced manufacturing applications.
The findings suggest palm kernel shell ash could serve as a partial reinforcing material in metal matrix composites, relevant to composite manufacturers and materials engineers. The work represents early-stage research focused on material characterisation, with testing of actual composite formulations or manufacturing methods remaining necessary before real-world adoption.
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This study investigated the characteristics of raw palm kernel shell (raw PKS) and the influence of temperature variation on palm kernel shell ash (PKSA). The PKSA was obtained under different temperature regimes of 900, 1000, and 1100°C. The characterization of the samples was carried out using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with attached Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) facilities. The results showed that moisture and ash contents and the density of raw PKS were 6.56%, 8.86%, and 745 kg/m3, respectively. The colour of the pulverized PKS was dark brown, as observed by visual examination based on standard colour gradation. This colour transformed into various shades of brown when PKS was subjected to different temperature regimes to form PKSA. The XRF analysis showed that silica is the main constituent of the raw PKS and PKSA samples. Silica content in the PKSA increased with the rise in the heating temperature. The FTIR and EDX spectra confirmed the predominance of silicon compounds with functional groups associated with silanol and siloxane. Also, XRD analysis revealed that the silica contents in the samples are quartz, while SEM examinations indicated that temperature increases during processing influenced the microstructure through the reduction of pore concentration in the samples. The silica obtained from the PKSA would find applications in metal matrix composites as partial reinforcing materials.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.rineng.2020.100173
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