Production of rice husk ash for use in concrete as a supplementary cementitious material

Rice husk ash (RHA), rich in silica content, can be produced from rice husk using appropriate combustion technique for use in concrete as a supplementary cementitious material. This paper discusses production process of RHA from rice husk and the quality of RHA produced using rudimentary furnace of the National University of Malaysia (UKM). Three combustion methods and two grinding methods were used to investigate physical characteristics and chemical aspects of RHA produced. Combustion temperature distribution of the furnace, ash particle size, silica crystallization phase and chemical content of the produced RHA were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). From the investigation, it was found that combustion period, chilling duration, and grinding process and duration are important in obtaining RHA of standard fineness and quality. In addition, air ducts in the furnace are very useful in order to supply air for proper burning of rice husk.