Energy Cane Ash: Property Assessment for Its Valorization in Sustainable Cementing Systems

Gabriela Pitolli Lyra, Lisiane Brichi, Josefa Roselló, María Victoria Borrachero, Lourdes Soriano (), Jordi Payá and João Adriano Rossignolo
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Gabriela Pitolli Lyra: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Lisiane Brichi: Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
Josefa Roselló: Department of Agroforestry Ecosystems, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain
María Victoria Borrachero: Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain
Lourdes Soriano: Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain
Jordi Payá: Institute of Concrete Science and Technology (ICITECH), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), 46022 València, Spain
João Adriano Rossignolo: Department of Biosystems Engineering, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-21

Abstract: Cogeneration with energy cane, a highly productive variety compared to conventional sugarcane, significantly increases ash generation, presenting waste management challenges for the sugar and ethanol industries. This study evaluates the potential of energy cane ash as a sustainable alternative material for partial cement replacement in construction, contributing to circular economy practices. A productivity analysis was conducted for planted areas, and the different parts of sugarcane and energy cane were dried and examined using scanning electron microscopy. These parts were calcined at 450 °C and 600 °C and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, particle size distribution, and thermal analysis. The reactivity of the ashes was tested in cement mortars with 5%, 10%, and 20% cement replacement using washed ash. The results revealed that energy cane produces approximately four times more ash per hectare than sugarcane, with leaf ash containing up to 60% silica and stalk ash being rich in potassium. The highest compressive strength was observed in a mortar with 10% cement replacement using washed energy cane ash, achieving 102.43% of the reference value after 28 days of curing, indicating excellent pozzolanic reactivity. These findings highlight the potential of energy cane ash to enhance sustainability in cementitious systems by reducing Portland cement use and promoting waste valorization. Furthermore, the reuse of ash can mitigate waste accumulation and support the development of more sustainable construction materials, contributing to a circular economy and a low-carbon society.

Keywords: sustainable cement composites; sugarcane ash; energy cane ash; waste valorization; phytoliths; chemical composition; pozzolanic materials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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