Valorization of Dried Olive Pomace as an alternative fuel resource in cement clinkerization

Abstract The aim of the present investigation is to examine the potential utilization of Dried Olive Pomace (DOP) as an alternative fuel in cement clinkerization, determining the effects on the properties of the cement clinker produced, by substituting coal on the burning process for DOP by 50 and 100 wt%. Different amounts of DOP and coal ashes were introduced in the raw meal before sintering at 1450 °C and the clinkers produced were characterized by means of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After co-grinding with suitable amount of gypsum, the produced cements were evaluated by determining setting times, standard consistency, expansibility and compressive strength at 2, 7, 28 and 90 days, whereas XRD and TG/DTG analysis were carried out for the hydration study evolution. According to the results, DOP presents a promising alternative as a secondary fuel resource, as the presence of its ash in the raw mixes did not affect negatively neither the clinker mineralogical composition, nor the physico-mechanical properties of the final cements produced.