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Isabella LANCELLOTTI
Professore Associato
Dipartimento di Ingegneria "Enzo Ferrari"
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Pubblicazioni
- Procedimento ed impianto per realizzare materiali compositi
[Brevetto]
Barbieri, Luisa; Pozzi, Paolo; Lancellotti, Isabella; V., Colombo; E., Ghedini; D., Russo; G., Masini
abstract
La presente invenzione è relativa ad un procedimento e ad un impianto per realizzare materiali compositi, ed in particolare ad un procedimento e ad un impianto per caricare, in particolare rinforzare, una base polimerica con materiale di apporto per definire il materiale composito.
2024
- Shot-Earth as Sustainable Construction Material: Chemical Aspects and Physical Performance
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lanzoni, Luca; Marchetti, Roberta; Iotti, Simone; Tarantino, Angelo Marcello; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Soil has long been one of the most widely used building materials globally. The evolution of soil-based construction materials has seen steady improvement over the centuries, even as traditional materials have given way to newer options like reinforced concrete. Nonetheless, soil-based construction has maintained its relevance and, in recent decades, has garnered increased attention due to sustainability concerns and renewed research interest. Among the innovative earth-based materials, shot-earth (SE) stands out as one of the most advanced. Research on SE has facilitated efficient handling of soil variability in mix design and provided structural engineers with relevant models for dimensioning and detailing reinforced SE constructions. This paper focuses on studying the durability characteristics of various types of SE to ascertain their ability to withstand environmental degradation over their intended lifespan. The tests conducted indicate that SE can serve as a viable construction material in numerous real-life scenarios, offering a sustainable alternative to existing materials.
2023
- Characterization of Volcano-Sedimentary Rocks and Related Scraps for Design of Sustainable Materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, L.; Altimari, F.; Andreola, F.; Maggi, B.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
This work started as a joint academia and company research project with the aim of finding
new applications for domestically sourced volcanic products and related waste (pumice, lapillus,
zeolitic tuff and volcanic debris from Tessennano and Arlena quarry) by creating a database of
secondary volcanic raw materials and their intrinsic characteristics to help industry replace virgin
materials and enhance circularity. In this context, accurate chemical, mineralogical, morphological,
granulometric and thermal characterizations were performed. Based on the results presented, it can
be concluded that due to their lightness, these materials can be used in the design and preparation of
lightweight aggregates for agronomic purposes or in the construction field. Furthermore, due to their
aluminosilicate nature and amorphous fraction, pumice and lapillus can play the role of precursor or
activator for geopolymer preparation. With its porous nature, zeolitic tuff can be exploited for flue
gas treatment. Due to the presence of feldspathic phase (sanidine), these materials can be used in
tile production as a fluxing component, and with their pozzolanic activity and calcium content, they
have application in the binder field as supplementary cementitious material or as aggregates.
2023
- Effects of LED Lights and New Long-Term-Release Fertilizers
on Lettuce Growth: A Contribution for Sustainable Horticulture
[Articolo su rivista]
Sgarbi, Elisabetta; Santunione, Giulia; Barbieri, Francesco; Montorsi, Monia; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
The horticulture sector has been directed by European guidelines to improve its practices
related to environmental sustainability. Moreover, the practice of horticulture in urban areas is
increasing since it provides fresh products that are locally produced. At the same time, horticulture
needs to implement circular economy approaches and energy-efficient models. Therefore, to address
these issues, this study investigated the effects of an integrated fertilizer-box-based cultivation
system equipped with LED lights and coated porous inorganic materials (C-PIMs), which was
applied as fertilizer, on Lactuca sativa L. growth. Two different types of lightweight aggregates were
formulated considering agri-food and post-consumer waste, and they were enriched with potassium
and phosphorus. Involving waste in the process was part of their valorization in the circular economy.
Using PIMs as fertilizers enabled the controlled release of nutrients over time. The tests were carried
out in controlled conditions using two LED lighting systems capable of changing their light spectrum
according to the growth phases of the plants. The effects of two different lighting schemes on the
growth of lettuce plants, in combination with different amounts of aggregates, were studied. The
results showed that increasing the amount of C-PIMs statistically improved the lettuce growth in
terms of dry biomass production (+60% and +34% for two different types of PIM application) when
the plants were exposed to the first LED scheme (LED-1). Plant height and leaf areas significantly
increased when exposed to the second LED scheme (LED-2), in combination with the presence of
C-PIMs in the soil. The analysis of the heavy metal contents in the lettuce leaves and the soil at the
end of the test revealed that these elements remained significantly below the legislated thresholds.
The experimental achievements of this study identified a new approach to improve the environmental
sustainability of horticulture, especially in an urban/domestic context.
2023
- Green materials for construction industry from Italian volcanic quarry scraps
[Articolo su rivista]
Altimari, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Leonelli, C.; Andreola, F.; Elsayed, H.; Bernardo, E.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
Italian volcanic quarry scraps, with fine particle size and of little market interest, have been considered for the
manufacturing of lightweight geopolymers and highly porous foams. Both powders have been alkali activated
with NaOH solution at 8 M and 3 M, respectively.
Geopolymers were characterized in terms of density, porosity, humidity absorption/desorption, mechanical
strength and microstructure. All samples (with a bulk density of 1.5–1.6 g/cm3) exhibited a porosity of
approximatively 35 vol% but featured a quite variable compressive strength (3–7 MPa), depending on the use of
pumice or lapillus. The same quarry scraps were easily converted into highly porous foams (porosity of 75 vol%),
by intensive mechanical stirring of alkali-activated suspensions, with the help of a surfactant.
2023
- Pumice and lapillus scraps: New national environmental-friendly chance for the production of ceramic tiles
[Articolo su rivista]
Altimari, F.; Andreola, F.; Benassi, P. P.; Lancellotti, I.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
Italian pumice and volcanic lapillus scraps have been used in different percentages as alternative raw materials to
foreign feldspars in porcelain stoneware mixtures. The aim of this work was to create naturally colored support to
limit the use of artificial dyes while maintaining the technical properties of the reference product. For this
purpose, the significant presence of chromophores (Fe and Ti in particular) in by-products from extraction of
Italian volcanic pumice and lapillus was exploited. The work was carried out in collaboration with a company:
the products were made on a laboratory scale and then they were glazed and fired within the industrial production
cycle (48 min, 1210 ◦C).
The resulting slip and the fired samples were characterized by measuring the efflux time, density, linear
shrinkage, water absorption and tensile strength to evaluate the technological performance. In addition, thermogravimetric
analysis (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and optical and mechanical dilatometry were
performed to study the thermal behavior of the formulations.
The obtained products could be classified as porcelain stoneware and belong to the BIa group (WA 0.5%, B.
S.>35 MPa) in accordance with UNI EN 14411 ISO 13006.
2023
- Use of Foundry Sands in the Production of Ceramic and Geopolymers for Sustainable Construction Materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Sgarlata, C.; Ariza-Tarazona, M. C.; Paradisi, E.; Siligardi, C.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of reusing waste foundry sands derived from the production of cast iron as a secondary raw material for the production of building materials obtained both by high-temperature (ceramic tiles and bricks) and room-temperature (binders such as geopolymers) consolidation. This approach can reduce the current demand for quarry sand and/or aluminosilicate precursors from the construction materials industries. Samples for porcelain stoneware and bricks were produced, replacing the standard sand contained in the mixtures with waste foundry sand in percentages of 10%, 50%, and 100% by weight. For geopolymers, the sand was used as a substitution for metakaolin (30, 50, 70 wt%) as an aluminosilicate precursor rather than as an aggregate to obtain geopolymer pastes. Ceramic samples obtained using waste foundry sand were characterized by tests for linear shrinkage, water absorption, and colorimetry. Geopolymers formulations, produced with a Si/Al ratio of 1.8 and Na/Al = 1, were characterized to evaluate their chemical stability through measurements of pH and ionic conductivity, integrity in water, compressive strength, and microstructural analysis. The results show that the addition of foundry sand up to 50% did not significantly affect the chemical-physical properties of the ceramic materials. However, for geopolymers, acceptable levels of chemical stability and mechanical strength were only achieved when using samples made with 30% foundry sand as a replacement for metakaolin.
2023
- Waste Cork in Metakaolin–Geopolymer Matrix: Physico-Mechanical Characterization
[Articolo su rivista]
Dal Poggetto, Giovanni; Marchetti, Roberta; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
Cork powdery waste (CW) from agglomerated cork caps manufacturing is commonly
transported to waste-to-energy plants, although it could be locally exploited for lightweight building
materials. The transformation of CW into a geopolymer formulation to obtain a novel composite
formulation suitable for insulating panels is presented in this contribution. The geopolymer mix
was based on metakaolin added to NaOH and Na silicate solutions, to which 2.4, 4.8 and 9.1 wt%
(calculated upon dry metakaolin) of CW in the form of as-received powdery waste were added.
No pre-treatments were performed on CW and no thermal curing was conducted for the alkaliactivated product that was consolidated at room temperature to improve product sustainability. The
insulating panel presented an apparent density of about 1.521 to 0.990 ± 0.001 g/cm3
, combined
with a total porosity in the range of 35.61 to 56.22 ± 0.003 % for 2.4 to 9.1 wt% of CW, respectively,
and this was dependent upon ageing time. The values of its mechanical properties (compressive
strength ranged from 2.5 to 1.5 MPa at 28 and 90 days of curing time, complying with UNI EN 998-2)
and thermal insulating properties (thermal conductivity around 0.1146 W/mK) indicated that the
highest percentage of CW in the formulations, i.e., 9.1 wt%, was suitable to obtain self-standing
insulating panels.
2022
- A New System of Sustainable Silico-Aluminous and Silicate Materials for Cultivation Purpose within Sustainable Buildings: Chemical-Physical, Antibacterial and Cytotoxicity Properties
[Articolo su rivista]
Catauro, M.; Poggetto, G. D.; Pacifico, S.; Andreola, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
In this study, we compared the chemical-physical, antibacterial, and cytotoxicity properties of silico-aluminous and silicate materials for outdoor (green roof, planted walls) and indoor (urban farms, indoor microgreen gardens) cultivation purpose in a context of sustainable construction. Glasses and lightweight aggregates were tailored starting from waste, by-product, and post-consumer and bioproducts (packaging glass cullet, cattle bone flour ash, vegetable biomass ash, spent coffee ground, degreased from biomass of prepupae of Black Soldier Flies) mixed together with a national ferruginous red clay, quarry scrap pumice and, if necessary, with K2CO3 of reagent grade. The first type of material was obtained by melting at 1200 °C and the second one by powder sintering at 1000 °C. All specimens, subjected to antibacterial test, showed both low zone of inhibitions towards two Gram-negative and two Gram-positive bacterial strains. A cytotoxicity test on mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH-3T3 cell line directly exposed to the investigated materials was performed at three different exposure times (1 h, 3 h, and 6 h). Data acquired highlighted that the materials positively affected redox mitochondrial activity of the fibroblast cells. The concentrations of leachate heavy metals detected on selected materials in water at room temperature after 24 h were lower than the European law limit and an interesting release of P, K, and N nutrients was noted for those formulations designed for agronomic purposes. pH, falling on average within the 6.5–7.5 range, is optimal for most crops, and the specific conductivity <2 dS/m indicates no depression danger for crops. Both bulk density <1200 kg/m3 and porosity over 50% seem to ensure good performance of lightening, drainage, water reservation, and oxygenation of the roots.
2022
- Benefits of pre-treating MSWI fly ash before alkali-activation
[Articolo su rivista]
Righi, C.; Lancellotti, I.; Barbieri, L.; Kirkelund, G. M.
abstract
The significant amount of heavy metals and soluble salts contained in municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) and the corresponding risk of leaching make them classified as hazardous waste. Nowadays, the ashes are usually landfilled, but another application can be the inertization and valorization of MSWI FA in building materials. Geopolymer can be a potential material because it can naturally entrap heavy metals physically and chemically inside its matrix. This research investigated how the use of electrodialytic treatment compared to a water washing procedure, considered as pre-treatments for MSWI FA, influenced a metakaolin-based geopolymer as an encapsulation matrix for MSWI FA. Geopolymers with metakaolin and 5, 10, 20 wt% of raw or pre-treated MSWI FA were compared with a sample containing only metakaolin for environmental, mechanical, and physical properties. The formation of aluminosilicate gel was confirmed for all geopolymers, although with varying degrees of impurities. The results show low compressive strength for the sample with washed ash but good mechanical strength for geopolymers with raw and electrodialytic treated ash compared to metakaolin-based geopolymer or with geopolymer with washed ash. A decrease in leaching for all the metals in the samples confirms the encapsulation capacity of geopolymers. The electrodialytic pre-treatment decreases, particularly the leaching of Cr, Zn and chloride in geopolymers, confirming the potential use of this pre-treatment to improve the environmental and mechanical characteristics of geopolymers with MSWI FA.
2022
- Char Valorization into Sustainable and Performant Polyurethane Insulating Panels
[Articolo su rivista]
Malchiodi, Beatrice; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pozzi, Paolo
abstract
2022
- Effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Synthesis of Alkali-Activated Binders Based on Bottom Ash from Municipal Waste Incineration
[Articolo su rivista]
Tortora, P. C. D.; Maldonado-Alameda, A.; Manosa, J.; Quintero-Payan, A. C.; Leonelli, C.; Lancellotti, I.; Chimenos, J. M.
abstract
Weathered bottom ash (WBA) from municipal solid waste incineration is a calcium aluminosilicate-rich material mainly used in construction and civil engineering as a secondary aggregate. However, its use is also being considered as a precursor in the manufacture of alkali-activated binders (AA-WBA). This preliminary research aimed to deepen understanding of the potential use of WBA (>8 mm fraction) as the sole precursor of alkali-activated binders. To gain better knowledge of this material, the physicochemical, mechanical, and environmental properties of AA-WBA binders were evaluated. In addition, the effect of curing temperature (25 °C, 45 °C, 65 °C, and 85 °C) and humidity conditions (oven and climate chamber) were assessed. The results of this study revealed that temperature and humidity conditions play a fundamental role during the early formation stages of AA-WBA binders. Maximum compactness and compressive strength (29.8 MPa) were obtained in the sample cured at 65 °C in the oven and room humidity. At higher temperatures (85 °C), a substantial decrease in mechanical strength (21.2 MPa) was observed due to a lower cohesion of the binder phases. Curing in the climate chamber led to an increase in humidity, and therefore a decrease in compressive strength. Finally, lower porosity and longer curing time substantially decreased the heavy metals and metalloid leaching concentration of AA-WBA binders.
2022
- Management of agricultural waste biomass as raw material for the construction sector: an analysis of sustainable and circular alternatives
[Articolo su rivista]
Duque-Acevedo, Mónica; Lancellotti, Isabella; Andreola, Fernanda; Barbieri, Luisa; Belmonte-Ureña, Luis J.; Camacho-Ferre, Francisco
abstract
The agricultural and construction sectors demand enormous amounts of natural resources and generate environmental impacts that negatively affect ecosystems. One of the main problems is the generation and inadequate management of waste. For this reason, under the approaches of the new sustainable and circular models, waste valorization has been prioritised as a strategy for advancing towards the sustainability of production systems. This research aims to carry out a general analysis of Agricultural Waste Biomass (AWB) in the production of bio-based products for the construction sector. Bibliometric techniques were applied for the general analysis of the scientific production obtained from Scopus. A systematic review identified the main research approaches. In addition, European projects were reviewed to assess the practical application. This study is novel and provides relevant contributions to new trends in the valorisation of AWB in the building sector and the sustainability benefits. For policymakers, it is a source of information on the contribution of new policies to scientific advances and the aspects that need to be strengthened to improve sustainable and circular practices in both sectors.
2022
- Pyrolysis Process for the Recycling of Cork Dust Waste from the Processing of Cork Agglomerate Caps in Lightweight Materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Coppelli, Paride; Pedrazzi, Simone; Puglia, Marco; Morselli, Nicolo'; Allesina, Giulio; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
This study aimed to investigate the possibility of recycling cork scraps derived from the production of agglomerated bottle caps containing organic additives (glues and adhesives) in addition to virgin wood. The study involved pyrolysis treatment followed by the use of char to obtain lightweight material prototypes. The scrap was pyrolysed in order to achieve the thermal degradation of unwanted molecules with decomposition temperatures lower than the pyrolysis temperatures, but also to achieve the reduction in mass and size of the starting material. The substitution of 15% by weight of weight-lightening agent (char from pyrolysed cork, or half char and half spent coffee grounds) into the clayey matrix made it possible to obtain lightweight aggregates with pH and conductivity values that could be exploited in an agronomic context. The substitution of clay with of 5 to 15% by weight of pyrolysed cork char in the production of specimens pressed at 25 bar and fired slowly at 1000 ◦C led to lightweight ceramics with particularly interesting porosity (from 41 to 68%) and bulk density (850–1600 kg/m3) values.
2022
- Sustainable Chromium Encapsulation: Alkali Activation Route
[Articolo su rivista]
Sgarlata, C.; Leonelli, C.; Lancellotti, I.; Mortalo, C.; Berrettoni, M.; Fattobene, M.; Zamponi, S.; Giorgetti, M.
abstract
This article highlights recent experimental advances in the use of inorganic substances in the encapsulation of pollutants and, in particular, discusses the potential applicability and constraints of the geopolymerization process for the treatment of wastewater containing chromium. A great percentage of waste containing chromium salts is produced by the leather industry during the tannery process. Such industrial waste is in the form of liquor containing almost 40% of the initial chromium combined with many other pollutants. The stabilization/solidification (S/S) treatment of this type of waste must be combined with chromium encapsulation in an economic, environmentally friendly and efficient process to be industrially feasible. Here we present a novel process in which the wastewater is used as a component of the formulation together with a clay by-product and with the addition of NaOH pellets with the goal of a no-water plus no-waste technology approach. The final solidified “ceramic-like” material successfully immobilized the heavy metal cations as well as anions and macromolecules of surfactants, avoiding environmental damages to soil and groundwater. The article is completed by mentioning other S/S processes where wastewater has been treated and the resulting sludge encapsulated. The future of the S/S technologies in the tannery industry should progress in the direction of significantly reducing the amount of wastewater directed to the treatment plants, with associated reductions in transport and their CO2 emissions. This article intends to be a contribution in the direction of preventing waste, aligning circular economy and waste management objectives.
2022
- Weathered bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration: Alkaline activation for sustainable binders
[Articolo su rivista]
Maldonado-Alameda, A.; Giro-Paloma, J.; Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Chimenos, J. M.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
Alkali-activated binders (AABs) stand out as promising candidates to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC) since waste can be used as raw material for their manufacture. This study addresses the environmental feasibility of using weathered bottom ash (WBA) and metakaolin (MK) as alkali-activated binder precursors (AA-WBA/MK). Different proportions of WBA and MK were mixed (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75, and 0/100 wt%) with a mixture of waterglass (WG) and NaOH 8 M as an alkaline activator solution. The effect of increasing MK content was assessed from a chemical, physical, mechanical, and environmental perspective. The results revealed the formation of secondary reaction products of C-(A)-S-H, (C,N)-A-S-H, and N-A-S-H gels. The compressive strength of AA-WBA/MK binders decreased (from 61.6 MPa to 12.6 MPa) as the MK content increased. The monolithic tank test validated the use of AA-WBA/MK binders for construction purposes, although with some restrictions due to their content in As, Sb, and V. Finally, the encapsulation efficiency and mechanical performance of AA-WBA/MK binders was enhanced as the curing period increased.
2021
- Alkali activation of metallurgical slags: Reactivity, chemical behavior, and environmental assessment
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, I.; Piccolo, F.; Traven, K.; Cesnovar, M.; Ducman, V.; Leonelli, C.
abstract
Alkali-activated materials (AAMs) represent a promising alternative to conventional building materials and ceramics. Being produced in large amounts as aluminosilicate-rich secondary products, such as slags, they can be utilized for the formulation of AAMs. Slags are partially crystalline metallurgical residues produced during the high temperature separation of metallic and non-metallic materials in the steelmaking processes. In the present study, the electric arc furnace carbon or stainless steel slag (EAF) and secondary metallurgical slag such as ladle furnace basic slag (LS) were used as precursors in an alkali-activation process. EAF slag, with its amorphous fraction of about 56%, presented higher contents of soluble Si and Al species with respect to ladle slag R (35%). However, both are suitable to produce AAM. The leaching behavior shows that all the release values are below the regulation limit. All the bivalent ions (Ba, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) are well immobilized in a geopolymeric matrix, while amphoteric elements, such as As and Cr, show a slight increase of release with respect to the corresponding slag in alkaline and aqueous environments. In particular, for Sb and As of AAM, release still remains below the regulation limits, while Mo presents an increase of leaching values that slightly exceeds the limit for landfill non-dangerous waste.
2021
- Alkali‐activated mortars modified by epoxy‐carbon fiber composites wastes
[Articolo su rivista]
Saccani, A.; Manzi, S.; Totaro, G.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
Short chopped fibers coated by epoxy resin of different length (5 to 10 mm length) were added at low volume content (about 4.6% on the composite) to alkali‐activated fly ash or metakaolin mortars. These uncured scraps derive from the production of carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer composites and they are not presently recycled, despite their outstanding mechanical properties. The workability, microstructure, porosity, and physical and mechanical properties (mainly flexural strength) of the derived materials were investigated. Superior flexural strength and increased toughness were obtained. An acid treatment of the scraps further improved the mechanical properties of the mortars by changing the chemical structure of the surface, thus increasing the interaction with the inorganic phase. These results foster the use of these wastes to improve the performance of low carbon footprint building materials such as alkali‐activated composites in the building industry.
2021
- Amorphous silica wastes for reusing in highly porous ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Ketov, A.; Korotaev, V.; Rudakova, L.; Vaisman, I.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
The paper analyzes a solution in green manufacturing of foamed or cellular ceramics. The objective of this study was to determine the technical solution for rice husk ash and “tales” of mixed glass cullet reusing based on the specific properties of these materials for creation of spherical holes inside ceramic using the process of coalescence of cellular glass. The paper reports on experimental results obtained from the production of lightweight cellular glass granules produced using glass cullet and rice husk ash. Lightweight cellular glass granules were mixed with clay, pressed and fired in air at 920°C. Clay sintering and the formation of ceramic were followed with the coalescence of cellular structure of glass granules and with the formation of spherical hollows inside the matrix. Density and strength of the fired ceramic bodies were determined. It is observed that the lightweight ceramics with density 900 ÷ 920 kg/m3 possess a compressive strength of about 5 MPa that is acceptable for bricks or tiles manufacture. The utilization of amorphous silica waste for lightweight ceramics manufacture helps in reducing waste disposal concerns and costs associated, and also transforms the waste into an alternative raw material with added value, moreover making the final product cheap.
2021
- Antibacterial Properties and Cytotoxicity of 100% Waste Derived Alkali Activated Materials: Slags and Stone Wool-Based Binders
[Articolo su rivista]
Sgarlata, C.; Dal Poggetto, G.; Piccolo, F.; Catauro, M.; Traven, K.; Cesnovar, M.; Nguyen, H.; Yliniemi, J.; Barbieri, L.; Ducman, V.; Lancellotti, I.; Leonelli, C.
abstract
In this study we compare the leaching behavior and the antibacterial and cytotoxic properties of 100% slag or stone wool derived alkali activated materials. The antibacterial activity was measured as the inhibiting capacity against two Gram-negative bacterial strains, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one Gram-positive bacterial strain: Enterococcus faecalis. The cytotoxicity properties were tested on mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH-3T3 cell-line. It was proved that the high quality of the 3D aluminosilicate network of the consolidated materials obtained from powders of CaO or MgO-rich slags or stone wool, opportunely activated with NaO and/or Na-silicate, was capable of stabilizing heavy metal cations. The concentrations of leachate heavy cations were lower than the European law limit when tested in water. The effect of additives in the composites, basal fibers or nanocellulose, did not reduce the chemical stability and slightly influenced the compressive strength. Weight loss in water increased by 20% with basalt fibers addition, while it remained almost constant when nanocellulose was added. All the consolidated materials, cement-like in appearance, exhibited limited antibacterial properties (viability from 50 to 80% depending on the bacterial colony and the amount of sample) and absence of cytotoxicity, envisaging good acceptance from part of the final consumer and zero ecological impact. CaO-rich formulations can replace ordinary Portland cement (showing bacterial viability at 100%) with a certain capability for preventing the reproduction of the E. coli and S. aureus bacteria with health and environmental protection results.
2021
- Cleaner design and production of lightweight aggregates (LWAs) to use in agronomic application
[Articolo su rivista]
Martinez-Garcia, C.; Andreola, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Farias, R. D.; Cotes-Palomino, M. T.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
This research focused on the obtainment of sustainable lightweight aggregates (LWAs) for agronomic application. The cleaner production is based on saving matter through the valorization of waste available in industry as a substitute of clays into the formulation of the lightweight aggregates (LWAs). Three different types of clays (white, black, and red) and alternative raw materials were blended. Cattle bone flour ash (CBA) and a fertilizer glass (FG) were used to introduce K and P into the mixture in amounts suitable for fertilizer application, and a sewage sludge from a brewery wastewater treatment plant was used as pore forming agent. For the production of the LWAs, we mixed different percentage of waste in two different clay mixtures, which were thermally treated at 1000 °C for 1 h. Technological parameters such as loose bulk and oven dry density, total porosity, water absorption capacity, pH, and electrical conductivity were determined to evaluate the potential use of LWAs as a growing media. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) techniques were used, and leaching tests were performed to complete the samples’ characterization. The results indicated the potential for manufacturing highquality LWAs for the agronomic field by using energy-saving and matter-processing involving low temperatures with respect to the conventional process.
2021
- Comparison of Three Manufacturing Techniques for Sustainable Porous Clay Ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Sergi, Rachele; Cannillo, Valeria; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
This study proposes different manufacturing techniques (manual pelletization, powder pressing, and “shell scaffold”) to obtain lightweight clay ceramics containing recovery raw materials. The sintering in an electrical furnace (1000 °C, 1 h processing time) was conducted by traditional firing from room temperature, for pressed and shell-scaffold samples, while the flash heating (i.e., samples directly put at 1000 °C) was used only for the pellets. The porous materials (porosity 40–80%), functionalized with nutrients (K and P) in amounts to confer the fertilizer capability, gave suitable results in terms of pH (6.7–8.15) and electrical conductivity (0.29–1.33 mS/cm). Thus, such materials can be considered as feasible lightweight clay ceramics, with a positive
effect on the soil. These findings permit us to hypothesize a potential use in green roofs or in agronomic applications.
2021
- Eco-compatible construction materials containing ceramic sludge and packaging glass cullet
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Pozzi, P.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
This research reports results of eco-compatible building material obtained without natural raw materials. A mixture of sludge from a ceramic wastewater treatment plant and glass cullet from the urban collection was used to obtain high sintered products suitable to be used as covering floor/wall tiles in buildings. The fired samples were tested by water absorption, linear shrinkage, apparent density, and mechanical and chemical properties. Satisfactory results were achieved from densification properties and SEM/XRD analyses showed a compact polycrystalline microstructure with albite and wollastonite embedded in the glassy phase, similar to other commercial glass-ceramics. Besides, the products were obtained with a reduction of 200◦ C with respect to the firing temperatures of commercial ones. Additionally, the realized materials were undergone to leaching test following Italian regulation to evaluate the mobility of hazardous ions present into the sludge. The data obtained verified that after thermal treatment the heavy metals were immobilized into the ceramic matrix without further environmental impact for the product use. The results of the research confirm that this valorization of matter using only residues produces glass ceramics high sintered suitable to be used as tile with technological properties similar or higher than commercial ones.
2021
- Efficient chemical stabilization of tannery wastewater pollutants in a single step process: Geopolymerization
[Articolo su rivista]
Boldrini, G.; Sgarlata, C.; Lancellotti, I.; Barbieri, L.; Giorgetti, M.; Ciabocco, M.; Zamponi, S.; Berrettoni, M.; Leonelli, C.
abstract
The treatment of tannery wastewaters is a complex task due to the complexity of the waste: a mixture of several pollutants, both anionic and cationic as well as organic macromolecules which are very hard to treat for disposal all together. Geopolymers are a class of inorganic binders obtained by alkali activation of aluminosilicate powders at room temperature. Such activation process leads to a cement like matrix that drastically decreases mobility of several components via entrapment. This process taking place in the matrix can be hypothesized to be the in-situ formation of zeolite structures. In this work we use a metakaolin based geopolymer to tackle the problem directly in an actual industrial environment. To obtain a geopolymer, the metakaolin was mixed with 10 wt% of wastewater added with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate as activating solutions. This process allowed a rapid consolidation at room temperature, the average compressive strength was between 14 and 43 MPa. Leaching tests performed at different aging times confirm a high immobilization efficiency close to 100%. In particular, only the 0.008 and 2.31% of Chromium and Chlorides respectively are released in the leaching test after 7 months of aging.
2021
- Potentiality of the Use of Pyroclastic Volcanic Residues in the Production of Alkali Activated Material
[Articolo su rivista]
Barone, Germana; Finocchiaro, Claudio; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Mazzoleni, Paolo; Sgarlata, Caterina; Stroscio, Antonio
abstract
Volcanic rocks have been used for building activity by the inhabitants of important cities located on the slopes of Mt. Etna, Italy. In this paper, the potential use of volcanic residues (code 20 03 03—“Municipal waste” residues from road cleaning in the European Waste Catalogue (EWC)) for the production of alkali activated material, especially devoted to the restoration of buildings belonging to the Baroque Sicilian architecture, was investigated. In particular, large volcanic pyroclastic deposits of recent eruptions considered waste materials were studied and a volcanic paleo-soil, locally named ghiara, widely used for mortars and plaster production in XVII–XVIII century with good pozzolanic features, was also considered. Both volcanic materials were activated using different mixtures of NaOH and Na2SiO3. Furthermore, formulations with different amount of metakaolin addition (10–25 wt%) were prepared due to low reactivity of volcanic materials and to allow the activation at room temperature. X ray diffraction revealed the formation of small quantities of zeolites as a result of the alkali activation process. The mechanical-physical results evidenced that the mechanical strength is strongly dependent on the metakaolin amount (10–38 MPa); accessible porosity average 25% and an average pore diameter of 0.06 µm; water absorption range 9–15%, eluates conductivity in the range 20–350 µS/m. These results confirm the occurring of alkali activation and the good potential for these pyroclastic wastes for valorization in the restoration field.
2021
- Preliminary study on valorization of scraps from the extraction of volcanic minerals
[Articolo su rivista]
Piccolo, F.; Gallo, F.; Andreola, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Maggi, B.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
Powders < 3mm of pumice and lapillus (quarry scraps of national volcanic minerals) were employed in the tailoring and characterization (from the physical, chemical and mechanical point of view) of geo-polymers and lightweight aggregates. Geo-polymers were obtained at room temperature by substituting 70 - 80 wt% of metakaolin by volcanic scraps and employing an alkaline solution with a Na2SiO3/NaOH ratio from 0.8 to 1 for pumice and lapillus series, respectively. Within 24 h and in water, bulk specimens resulted with good integrity, with pH values around 9-11 and conductivity increasing over time, but less for the lapillus-containing sample richest in metakaolin indicating more compactness. The porosity, ranging around 32-33% for all the samples, increased up to 45% for the formulation based on 80% of lapillus. The best mechanical performance was achieved by lapillus samples: compressive strength in the range 35-38 MPa against 6-8 MPa of pumice ones. Lightweight aggregates were created by powder sintering at 1000 °C for 1 hour of 85 wt% of volcanic scraps and 15 wt% of spent coffee grounds used as pouring agent. Additional formulations were realized adding 50 wt% of nourishing mixture P and K-containing in the form of animal bone meal and vegetable biomass ashes. The specimens resulted porous and light (porosity around 60%), with good capacity of water retains, and, except in two cases, with neutral pH and conductivity values below 2 mS/cm, indicating a possible use for substrate (growing layer) in roof gardens, green roofs, house gardens, etc..
2021
- Synthesis and characterization of biochar-based geopolymer materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Piccolo, F.; Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
The aim of this research is to evaluate the possibility to realize alkali-activated materials exploiting biochar, a secondary raw material coming from pyrolysis/gasification processes, for environmental benefits, such as improvement of soil fertility and reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere thanks to the carbon sink process where carbon dioxide is subtracted from the cycle of carbon. For the matrix of the geopolymers, a waste material derived from incinerator bottom ash was used and compared to pure metakaolin matrix. The materials obtained are lightweight and porous, with high water absorption capacity and moisture adsorption/desorption. BET analysis shows an increase in specific surface by increasing the biochar content and the biochar acts as a filler in the pores. From porosimetry analysis it is possible to follow the evolution of the curing process of the geopolymer prepared: specimens containing 70 wt% biochar after 28 and 90 days showed an increase in total Hg intrusion volume, pore area and total porosity but a decrease in the dimensions of pores. Due to the technical properties of materials containing biochar, they can be used in the future for a cleaner design of products in the field of sustainable construction for insulating panels or lightweight materials for houses and gardens in terraces and balconies.
2021
- The effect of fibrous reinforcement on the polycondensation degree of slag-based alkali activated composites
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, I.; Piccolo, F.; Nguyen, H.; Mastali, M.; Alzeer, M.; Illikainen, M.; Leonelli, C.
abstract
Alternative cementitious binders, based on industrial side streams, characterized by a low carbon footprint, are profitably proposed to partially replace Portland cement. Among these alternatives, alkali-activated materials have attracted attention as a promising cementitious binder. In this paper, the chemical stability of the matrix, in fiber-reinforced slag-based alkali-activated composites, was studied, in order to assess any possible effect of the presence of the reinforcement on the chemistry of polycondensation. For this purpose, organic fiber, cellulose, and an inorganic fiber, basalt, were chosen, showing a different behavior in the alkaline media that was used to activate the slag fine powders. The novelty of the paper is the study of consolidation by means of chemical measurements, more than from the mechanical point of view. The evaluation of the chemical behavior of the starting slag in NaOH, indeed, was preparatory to the understanding of the consolidation degree in the alkali-activated composites. The reactivity of alkali-activated composites was studied in water (integrity test, normed leaching test, pH and ionic conductivity), and acids (leaching in acetic acid and HCl attack). The presence of fibers does not favor nor hinder the geopolymerization process, even if an increase in the ionic conductivity in samples containing fibers leads to the hypothesis that samples with fibers are less consolidated, or that fiber dissolution contributes to the conductivity values. The amorphous fraction was enriched in silicon after HCl attack, but the structure was not completely dissolved, and the presence of an amorphous phase is confirmed (C– S–H gel). Basalt fibers partly dissolved in the alkaline environment, leading to the formation of a C– N–A–S–H gel surrounding the fibers. In contrast, cellulose fiber remained stable in both acidic and alkaline conditions.
2021
- Valorization of Al slag in the production of green ceramic tiles: Effect of experimental conditions on microstructure and crystalline phase composition
[Articolo su rivista]
Romero, M.; Martin, M. I.; Barbieri, L.; Andreola, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Lopez-Delgado, A.
abstract
This work reports the results of an investigation aimed at the development of sintered glass-ceramic tiles by the sinter-crystallization of mixtures composed of aluminum slag and reclaimed packaging glass. The thermal behaviors of mixtures incorporating 50 and 60 wt% Al slag were established by differential thermal analysis (DTA). Green compacts were sintered in a temperature range of 800°C-1050°C and then soaked for 10-60 minutes. The mineralogical characterizations of the sintered materials were obtained by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The achieved results indicated that the sintering of aluminum slag and packaging glass reclaimed led to a glass-ceramic material composed mainly of needle-like crystals of wollastonite (CaSiO3). The bloating of samples during firing was evaluated according to a Cougny predictive diagram. After initial observations and according to bending strength characterizations, sintered tiles prepared from aluminum slag and glassy sand are appropriate for floor pavement and wall covering.
2020
- Alkali-Activated Binders From Waste Incinerator Bottom Ashes and Metakaolin Reinforced by Recycled Carbon Fiber Composites
[Articolo su rivista]
Manzi, S.; Lancellotti, I.; Masi, G.; Saccani, A.
abstract
In view of creating low-impact materials for the building industry, the fostering of alkali-activated binder gains high importance. Metakaolin can successfully be activated with alkalis at room temperature, but the contemporary use of wastes to create mixed binders can further increase the environmental benefits. Bottom ashes obtained from the incineration of municipal solid wastes have been tentatively mixed in different amounts to develop matrix with acceptable mechanical properties, which still can be cured at room temperature. Moreover, scraps obtained from the production of epoxy/carbon fiber composites are employed as a reinforcing phase. No chemical or physical treatments have been used to modify the epoxy/carbon fiber wastes, apart from size reduction, thus minimizing the overall economic and energy impact of the process. The workability, physical and mechanical properties, microstructure, and porosity of the obtained materials are investigated. Up to a 50 weight percent of bottom ashes from municipal solid waste incineration can be mixed with metakaolin. Fibers still embedded in the epoxy matrix disclose a fair interaction with the matrix, thus managing to increase flexural strength, toughness, and dimensional stability without decreasing the compressive strength.
2020
- Artificial neural networks test for the prediction of chemical stability of pyroclastic deposits-based AAMs and comparison with conventional mathematical approach (MLR)
[Articolo su rivista]
Finocchiaro, Claudio; Barone, Germana; Mazzoleni, Paolo; Sgarlata, Caterina; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Romagnoli, Marcello
abstract
Abstract: The investigation on the reticulation degree of volcanic alkali-activated materials, AAMs, were experimentally determined in terms of chemico-physical properties: weight loss after leaching test in water, ionic conductivity and pH of the leachate and compressive strength. Artificial neural network (ANN) was successfully applied to predict the chemical stability of volcanic alkali-activated materials. Nine input data per each chemico-physical parameter were used to train each ANN. The training series of specific volcanic precursors were tested also for the other one. Excellent correlations between experimental and calculated data of the same precursor type were found reaching values around one. The evidence of strong effect on chemical stability of the alkaline activator SiO2/Na2O molar ratio as well as the Si/Al ratio of precursor mixtures on the reticulation degree of ghiara-based formulation with respect to volcanic ash-based materials is presented. It must be noted that such effect was much less pronounced on the compressive strength values, appearing more insensitive the molar ratio of the alkaline activator. The comparison of the ANN results with more conventional multiple linear regression (MLR) testifies the higher prediction performance of the first method. MLRs results, less significant, are useful to confirm the powerful capacity of ANNs to identify the more suitable formulation using a set of experimental AAMs. This study, as few others, on the correlation between chemical stability and compressive strength of AAMs provide a great contribution in the direction of durability and in-life mechanical performance of these class of materials. Graphic abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
2020
- Char valorization in construction materials
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pozzi, Paolo; Vezzali, Vittorio
abstract
2020
- Construction and demolition waste (Cdw) valorization in alkali activated bricks
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Vezzali, Vittorio; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina; Grillenzoni, Andrea
abstract
2020
- DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTROLLED RELEASE PK FERTILIZERS FROM AGRO-RESIDUES
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Martínez García, Carmen; Cotes Palomino, Teresa; Montorsi, Monia; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
The aim of this study is to design and characterize a new controlled release fertilizers category by using valorization of residues
from agri-food, industrial and post consumers activities normally allocated into landfill disposal. The underlying strategy in
materials research fully agreed with the circular economy perspective and the more recent European legislation about critical raw
materials recovering. This study covers the development of lightweight aggregates, based on a local red clay (km 0 concept) and
pores former such as coffee grounds and brewery sludge. Functionalization has been performed with vegetable biomass and cattle
bone flour ashes, as received and after vitrification in a tailored fertilizer glass, containing high quantity of potassium and
phosphorous. Fully characterization by means of a multidisciplinary approach, including chemical, mineralogical, thermal, physical,
and plants growth in soils tests has been performed on starting and derived materials. Finally, growth test on basil’s plant have
demonstrated the beneficial effect of the aggregates designed and produced in this study in comparison with standard fertilizer
already on the market.
2020
- Dependence of the geopolymerization process and end-products to the nature of solid precursors: Challenge of the sustainability
[Articolo su rivista]
Kamseu, Elie; Alzari, Valeria; Nuvoli, Daniele; Sanna, Davide; Lancellotti, Isabella; Mariani, Alberto; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
This review retrieves the determinant role of the solid precursor on the definition, chemistry, processing and applications of geopolymers. It is demonstrated that the process, the alkaline solution, the curing conditions as well as the orientation of the end-products in term of performance and potential application are governed by the intrinsic nature and characteristics of the aluminosilicate precursors. In particular, the amorphous fraction and the available Al and Si cations governs the geopolymerization. Solid precursors with relatively large amount of amorphous phase are easily activated with standard alkaline solution (6–8 M) leading to the formation of a gel, designated as cement or binder. Al-rich gels are efficient for the design of high strength concretes or composites. Solid precursors with low amorphous fraction need relatively high concentrated alkaline solution (>8 M), particularly aluminosilicates with crystalline habitus such as fly ash, volcanic ash, feldspars, granites, nepheline, etc. In these cases, both the dissolution and the curing steps require temperature above ambient. The pastes produced are dominated by non-reacted or incongruently dissolved particles more addressed for mortars and precast. When high concentrated alkaline solution is used, some additions of Si-rich or Al-rich reactive materials are needed to stabilize the extra alkali present within the matrix: steam or long-term curing are, therefore, required. Regarding the curing conditions, the temperature and relative humidity to be applied are directly linked to the nature of the solid precursor. This paper should be viewed as a significant contribution for the understanding and classification of geopolymer cement and composites as well as the science and technology of the geopolymers.
2020
- Impianto e procedimento per l'abbattimento di inquinanti su un flusso gassoso
[Brevetto]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Bellei, Marco; Zanasi, Stefano; Moretti, Gianni; Tazzioli, Gabriella
abstract
È descritto un impianto per l’abbattimento di inquinanti su un flusso gassoso comprendente un sistema di aspirazione configurato per aspirare gli inquinanti generati da un impianto di produzione evitando che si disperdano nell’ambiente, un sistema di insufflazione di zeolite collegato al sistema di aspirazione e configurato per immettere la zeolite all’interno di detto sistema di aspirazione, un sistema di emissione del flusso gassoso, collegato al sistema di aspirazione e configurato per l’emissione in atmosfera del flusso gassoso trattato con la zeolite; è descritto inoltre un procedimento per l’abbattimento di inquinanti su un flusso gassoso.
2020
- METALLURGICAL WASTE VALORIZATION FOR FABRICATING GLASS-CERAMICS MATERIALS
[Articolo su rivista]
CEDILLO GONZALEZ, ERIKA IVETH; Jacobo Ruiz-Valdés, Juan; Álvarez-Méndez, Anabel; Siligardi, Cristina; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
The valorization of a metallurgical waste (i.e., an iron-rich slag) as raw material for the fabrication of high hardness glass-ceramics using differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy was investigated. The melting of the slag was aided by the addition of waste glass cullet (WGC) and the vitrification field of this system was investigated. The non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the parent glass with the highest slag content was studied by DTA and crystallization of the parent glasses led to of pyroxenic crystalline phases, suggesting the application of the obtained glass-ceramics as building materials. Environmental benefits such as the reduction in the consumption of virgin raw materials and the elimination or reduction of CO2 and SO2 emissions due to absence of carbonates and sulphates in the batch composition make it an interesting alternative for the application of this technology.
2020
- Manufacturing and durability of alkali activated mortars containing different types of glass waste as aggregates valorisation
[Articolo su rivista]
Saccani, A.; Manzi, S.; Lancellotti, I.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
Mortars containing glass waste as a partial substitution for natural sand have been formulated. Alkali activated fly ashes have been used as a binder. The selected cullets are those deriving either from the discarded lamps collection or the fraction of the selective urban glass collection (about 10 wt% on the whole amount) that, because of its highly heterogeneous composition, cannot be used in the production of new glass items. Mechanical properties of the obtained mortars have been investigated as well as their durability. In details, the reactivity towards alkali silica reactions and sulphates diffusion, as well as the stability to freeze–thaw cycles have been compared to the ones of unmodified mortars. Both types of waste do not lead to a decrease in the durability of the obtained materials. The inertness of these cullets towards alkali silica reaction is quite remarkable since both wastes are highly reactive in Portland cement matrix. This introduces a possible reuse in the formulation of low-impact renders for these fractions that presently have no alternatives to landfilling.
2020
- Mix-design and Properties of Mortars from Alkali-activated Fly Ashes Containing High Amounts of Unburned Carbon Matter
[Articolo su rivista]
Manzi, S.; Saccani, A.; Baldazzi, L.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
Alkali-activated materials are a promising type of binder candidate as a substitute to Portland cement. Fly ashes can be used as binder precursors giving higher environmental benefits. In the present research, fly ashes (Type F) containing different amounts of unburned carbonaceous matter have been used to formulate mortars. Serious problems concerning the workability in the fresh state have been found when high carbon content are reached. An attempt to avoid the preliminary treatments used to eliminate the unburned matter is carried out by exploiting different mix-design receipts obtained by changing the water/binder ratio, the ratio of the alkaline activators and using different types of superplasticizer additives. Data so far collected underline that a high amount of unburned carbonaceous matter can not only compromise the mechanical properties of the materials, but also the rheological ones and underline the necessity to develop ad hoc additives for this type of binders.
2020
- Preliminary Study on Sustainable NPK Slow-Release Fertilizers Based on Byproducts and Leftovers: A Design-of-Experiment Approach
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Andreola, Fernanda; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
In this study, an organic nitrogen-based coating was developed based on black soldier fly (BSF) prepupae reared on
poultry dejections and deposited on ceramic lightweight aggregates (LWAs), containing phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) from
agroresidues, leading to a complete nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer. To obtain a resistant coating with good
adhesion to LWAs, different plasticizing agents were tested (e.g., glycerol, cellulose, and polyethylene glycol). The coating
formulation was optimized through a design-of-experiment (DoE) approach to correlate the effect of each mixture component on
the coating’s performance. BSF biomass was characterized through chemical and thermal routes, as well as the final coated LWAs,
confirming their general agreement to fertilizer’s requirements. Release tests in static conditions highlighted the barrier action of the
coating, preventing uncontrolled release of potassium and phosphorus contained in the LWAs as well as the release of nitrogen after
21 days (near to 20%). Germination and growth tests indicated a valuable increase of the growth index, whereas the germination
process is limited by the coating barrier effect. This work proposes a new product in the field of slow-release fertilizers designed by
rational methodologies and innovative materials based on waste valorization, fully in agreement with a circular economy perspective
2020
- The Environmental Friendly Route to Obtain Sodium Silicate Solution from Rice Husk Ash: A Comparative Study with Commercial Silicates Deflocculating Agents
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Sodium silicate solutions were synthesized treating Rice Husk Ash (RHA) with sodium hydroxide solutions at low molar concentrations (1–4 M). During the study the operative conditions were optimized. Raman spectroscopy was used to check the chemical nature of the silicates solutions obtained by comparison with commercial ones. The defocculating efciency of the synthesized solutions was checked by rheological measures on clay suspensions (solid content 60 and 65 wt%). Some fndings of the study permit to confrm that the extraction of SiO2 increases by increasing NaOH concentration. The alkaline attack (NaOH solution) at 1.5 and 2 M show the best results for SiO2/Na2O ratio close to 2, this ratio is widely used as defocculating agents in ceramic sector using commercial silicates. The 0.5wt% content resulted the optimum dosage for all additives. In particular, the viscosity values obtained using the silicates synthetized from RHA are lower than those corresponding to the commercial products. The defocculating capability behaves similar, or even better, than commercial ones. This valorization of matter from RHA allows the obtainment of high added value products that can play role of “green” substitutes of commercial ones.
2020
- The circular economy of agro and post‐consumer residues as raw materials for sustainable ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
The circular economy in the area of waste management implies their re‐use as a raw material in different production cycles. Both the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the residues from the agro sector and those of the products of the ceramics sector make possible to think of a feasible application. This review will illustrate some examples of recycling of residues deriving from animal and vegetable sectors (and two post consume products, spent coffee grounds, and packaging glass cullet), studied by the authors, falling within the concept of urban and agricultural sustainable development. Not only the most traditional products such as glass‐ceramics, glazes, bricks, but also the most innovative lightweight aggregates for plant structures or in and out soil cultivation, as well as additives such as deflocculants for ceramic suspensions, which will be illustrated from the design/production, characterization, and comparison with commercial products.
2020
- The coordination core and charge of chromium in Metakaolin-geopolymers as revealed by X-Ray absorption spectroscopy
[Articolo su rivista]
Giorgetti, Marco; Berrettoni, Mario; Aquilanti, Giuliana; Boldrini, Giacomo; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Geopolymers obtained by mixing metakaolin powder with tannery wastewater and NaOH pellets are proposed as 3D aluminosilicate network to chemically entrap Cr(III) species. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy studies show the absence of toxic Cr(VI). The analysis of EXAFS also reveals a Cr(III) first coordination shell formed by 6 oxygens and a second shell of 7/8 Al or Si atoms, indicating strong bonding with the aluminosilicate network.
2020
- Valorization of spent coffee grounds, biochar and other residues to produce lightweight clay ceramic aggregates suitable for nursery grapevine production
[Articolo su rivista]
Ronga, D.; Parisi, M.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.; Andreola, F.; Bignami, C.
abstract
The valorization of agro-industrial by-products is one of the key strategies to improve agricultural sustainability. In the present study, spent coffee grounds and biochar were used as pore forming agents in the realization of lightweight clay ceramic aggregates that were used as sustainable fertilizers, in addition to tailored glass fertilizer containing phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) and nitrogen (N) synthetic fertilizer, for nursery grapevine production. The obtained fertilizers were assessed in a pot experiment for the fertilization of bare-rooted vines. Unfertilized (T0) and fertilized plants (T1, using NPK-containing commercial fertilizer) were used as controls. Plants fertilized by spent coffee grounds and spent coffee grounds + biochar-containing lightweight aggregates and added with 30 wt% of the above-mentioned glass and N fertilizers (T2 and T3, respectively) recorded higher values of plant height, shoot diameter, leaf and node numbers. Moreover, T2 treatment induced the highest chlorophyll content, shoot and root dry weights. The present study shows that lightweight clay ceramic aggregates containing spent coffee grounds and glass and N fertilizers can be used for nursery grapevine production, in turn improving the agricultural sustainability.
2019
- Composites obtained by recycling carbon fibre/epoxy composite wastes in building materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Saccani, Andrea; Manzi, Stefania; Lancellotti, Isabella; Lipparini, Luca
abstract
Wastes made of thermosets pre-preg scraps deriving from the production of epoxy-carbon fibres composites have been recycled without any previous high temperature or chemical treatments as reinforcement to produce building materials. Short chopped fibres coated by the resin (5-8 mm length) have been added up to about 5% volume content to different types of matrix, one based on conventional Portland cement and two based on geopolymers, deriving either from metakaolin or from fly ashes. In the last case, the derived materials are almost completely made of recycled ingredients. The workability, microstructure, porosity, physical and mechanical properties of the derived materials have been investigated. Superior flexural strength and increased toughness have been obtained. The reinforcing effect of the recycled waste is particularly interesting on the properties of the ambient cured fly ashes geopolymers and can promote the use of these matrix. This is an attempt to produce building materials with improved properties at the same time solving waste disposal problems.
2019
- Formulation of Green Particulate Composites from PLA and PBS Matrix and Wastes Deriving from the Coffee Production
[Articolo su rivista]
Totaro, G.; Sisti, L.; Fiorini, M.; Lancellotti, I.; Andreola, N.; Saccani, A.
abstract
Particulate composites based on poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene succinate) biopolymers have been formulated. Silver skin, the by-product derived from the roasting of coffee beans, has been used as a filler up to a 30 wt% of loading. The microstructure, crystallinity, thermal stability, mechanical properties and water absorption of the derived composites have been investigated. Data so far collected underline that a trade-off of the mechanical properties can be obtained by adding the filler, while the overall amount of crystallinity remains constant. Up to the highest filler content, moisture uptake follows a Fichian behaviour while the value of the contact angle is slightly increased by modification. Thus, silver skin, which actually is used for fuel or soil fertilization, finds here a different environmentally friendly valorization into the field of biocomposites.
2019
- Results of the two-year rebaf project: How to exploit biomass from river maintenance
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Pedrazzi, S.; Morselli, N.; Puglia, M.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.; Andreola, F.; Malcevschi, A.; Giorgini, L.; Ceotto, E.; Tartarini, P.
abstract
This paper discusses activities and results of the REBAF project: a two-year Italian regional research project focused on the energy conversion of biomass residues from river, canals and basins maintenance activities. Innovative pathways for the exploitation of grass and woodsy biomasses were investigated. Gasification and pyrolysis are the key technologies for biomass conversion into energy. Woodsy biomass was tested as fuel in a small scale commercial gasification power plants that produce heat and power using a IC engine. A valuable by-product of the process was biochar. This was tested as soil improver in giant reed crop parcels and a sensible increase of dry biomass production was achieved in comparison with control parcels. The grass residues obtained from canals maintenance were carbonized in lab-scale pyrolyzer at a temperature of about 450 °C through the hot exhaust of the engine fueled by the gasifier. The pyrolysis gases were used directly in the gasifier in substitution of the gasifying agent. The residual carbon afterward the pyrolysis process was used as filler in cements, plasters and polyurethane panels increasing performance of these building materials.
2019
- Spent Coffee Grounds in the Production of Lightweight Clay Ceramic Aggregates in View of Urban and Agricultural Sustainable Development
[Articolo su rivista]
ANDREOLA, Nora Maria; Borghi, Alessandro; PEDRAZZI, Simone; ALLESINA, GIULIO; TARTARINI, Paolo; LANCELLOTTI, Isabella; BARBIERI, Luisa
abstract
This paper presents an innovative application for spent coffee grounds (SCGs) used as filler for the formulation of lightweight clay ceramic aggregates (LWA). LWA can be used for urban and agricultural purposes as a sustainable solution. Spent coffee grounds were tested as a pore forming agent partially acting as a replacement for red clay in material formulation before firing. Substitutions of 10, 15, and 20 wt.% of red clay were tested. The properties of lightweight aggregates with 15 wt.% of SCGs were improved using a specifically tailored fertilizer glass due to its low pH and conductivity within the soil tolerance range. Packaging glassy sand, cattle-bone flour ash, and potassium carbonate were mixed and melted in order to obtain this glass, which when added to the clayey batch functionalized the aggregates by phosphorus and potassium nutrients. The results (in particular, porosity and bulk density) show that the lightweight aggregates obtained have interesting properties for possible uses both in urban (e.g., green roofs as a drainage layer) and agricultural purposes. Moreover, pH and conductivity are in line with the Italian Standard regarding soil amendment (D.lgs. 75/2010). In addition, several leaching tests were performed in a solution containing 2 vol.% citric acid (C6H8O7) to evaluate the release capacity not only of nutrients (P and K)mbut also to check the presence and release of heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), that may come from the glassy precursor. The results obtained showed that nutrients are effciently released in 21 days (P = 87.73% and K = 25.74% of released percentage) and Pb release is under the standard threshold of 30 ppm.
2019
- Synthesis of WEEE-based geopolymers and their cytotoxicity
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Catauro, M.; Barrino, F.; Pacifico, S.; Piccolella, S.; Lancellotti, I.; Leonelli, C.
abstract
Alkali activated metakaolin-based geopolymer materials were used to blend in fine powder glasses from waste electric and electronic equipment. In particular, glasses from funnel and panel parts of cathode ray tubes were recovered and re-utilized, thus obtaining GPVFNL and GPVBa enriched geopolymers. The materials were characterized by means of Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FT-IR), and in order to avoid health risk for humans, cytotoxicity was preliminarily assessed by means of MTT test towards NIH-3T3 murine fibroblast cell line. The synthetized geopolymers showed an important anti-bacterial activity vs. Escherichia coli.
2018
- Alkali activation as new option for gold mine tailings inertization
[Articolo su rivista]
Kiventerä, J.; Lancellotti, I.; Catauro, M.; Poggetto, F. D.; Leonelli, C.; Illikainen, M
abstract
The mining industry produces a huge quantity of sulphidic mine tailings, which cause several short- and long-term environmental problems when disposed by landfilling in impounding lakes. The possibility of immobilizing several heavy metals from gold mine tailings by reactive geopolymerization technique has been investigated in the present study. The chemical stability of geopolymers synthetized by the alkali activation of metakaolin and blast furnace slag and the addition of 40 to 50 wt% gold mine tailings is demonstrated. The geopolymers were cured at room temperature, and the effects of different Si/Al and Na/Al molar ratios and curing times were investigated. The inertization effectiveness was evaluated by means of leaching tests carried out according to standard EN 12457 after 7 and 28 days and after 18 months. The samples were immersed into the water for 1 day, and the leachable metals in the test solution were determined by ICP-OES. The results show that various elements (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn and Mn) from gold mine tailings are able to immobilize almost completely by alkali activation with proper co-binder material. The immobilization efficiency were highly improved with longer curing period also for the problematic elements As, V, Sb and B.
2018
- Chelating Agent Treatment on Leaded Residuals from Glass Separated Urban Collection to Be Used in Cement Mortars
[Articolo su rivista]
Bursi, Elena; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Saccani, Andrea; Chiara Bignozzi, Maria
abstract
A mild chelating agent treatment was performed on the residuals of the sorting processes of separately collected urban
glass, which is currently landfilled. This fraction, that represents about the 10 wt% of the overall collected glass, has a very
heterogeneous composition and contains relatively high amounts of lead and barium and consequently cannot be used to
produce new glass containers. This contaminated material shows, when used as fine aggregate in Portland Cement based
composites, an expansive behaviour due to the alkali silica reactions. The expansion can only be partially reduced by using
finely ground soda lime glass, showing pozzolanic activity. However, after the chelating agent treatment, because of heavy
atoms surface depletion, the synergic effect of pozzolan addition leads to a suppressed expansion, thus allowing the use of
waste in the formulation of cement composites.
2018
- GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS FROM RIVER MAINTENANCE AND CHAR APPLICATION IN BUILDING MATERIALS PRODUCTION
[Articolo su rivista]
Vezzali, Vittorio; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pozzi, Paolo; Allesina, Giulio; Pedrazzi, Simone; Tartarini, Paolo
abstract
This paper exposes the research activities regarding REBAF (Energetic Recover of River Biomasses) project, focused on the maintenance operations self-sustainability of the Secchia river (Italy). Poplar was found as the most abundant and representative wood plant of Secchia riverbanks, with a good behavior during gasification process: from 1 hectare of maintenance every three year, it was possible to produce 23 MWh of electrical power and 31 MWh of thermal power. The biochar obtained was characterized and mixed with local red clay to create both lightweight aggregates (LWAs) for green roofs applications and bricks. Ashes coming from the gasifier cyclone were characterized and used to create bricks. The aims are the saving of raw materials and the obtaining of weight-lightened products with high porosity. Biochar and ashes were found to be suitable for this purpose given their organic carbonaceous nature, according to X-ray diffractometry, Loss on Ignition (LOI) and TG-DTA results. Application on LWAs by substituting 15%wt of the clay with biochar leads to a weight-lightening of the material. To optimize LWAs pH, spent coffee grounds (SCG) were added with proportion of 85% clay-15% biochar/SCG. A greater decrease in weight and pH values in the neutrality range were observed. Adding 20%wt biochar or ashes on bricks led to a significant reduction of materials bulk density (from 2 to 1.5 g/cm3) and the achievement of 40-45% porosity. With higher additions (until 40%wt) bulk density gets lower (1.2 g/cm3–1.3 g/cm3), but the material results weaker with a worst mechanical strength.
2018
- Inertization of mine tailing via cold consolidation in geopolymer matrix
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Lancellotti, Isabella; I., Kiventerä; J, Catauro; M., Poggetto; F., D Illikainen
abstract
he consolidation via geopolymerisation is a room temperature alkaline chemical reaction of condensation between SiO2 and AlO2 monomers. Such a matrix can retain a large number of cations to compensate for the Al+3 in place of Si+4 in the tetrahedra. Arsenic-rich mine tailings from a gold mining site were activated with NaOH solution and commercial Na-Silicate (Na2O/SiO2 = 3) to produce a no-hazardous final material. Granulated blast furnace slag and metakaolin were used as co-binders to optimize the formulations. Leaching test was used to evaluate the inertization capability of the matrix after curing times of 7 and 28 days. The leaching results show that increasing curing time there is a significant decrease of As leaching due to the better consolidation of the material. Leaching of Cu, V, Ba and Zn significantly decrease, while Ni and Cr remain almost constant and Sb slightly increases.
2018
- PROCEDIMENTO PER UTILIZZARE CHAR DA GASSIFICAZIONE E/O PIROLISI CON ALTRI SCARTI INDUSTRIALI PER LA FORMULAZIONE DI MATERIALI ALLEGGERITI CON EFFETTO FERTILIZZANTE E DI MATERIALI POLIMERICI PER ISOLAMENTO TERMICO
[Brevetto]
Allesina, Giulio; Andreola, Fernanda; Tartarini, Paolo; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pedrazzi, Simone; Vezzali, Vittorio; Pozzi, Paolo; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
L’invenzione si riferisce ad un procedimento per utilizzare char da gassificazione e/o pirolisi con altri scarti industriali per la formulazione di materiali, in particolare materiali alleggeriti con effetto fertilizzante e materiali polimerici per isolamento termico.
L’invenzione consiste nell’utilizzo di char ottenuto da processi di gassificazione/pirolisi di biomasse vegetali legnose all’interno di due tipologie di materiale:
1) Aggregati leggeri fertilizzanti, a base di argilla locale, ottenuti mediante trattamento termico. Il ruolo del char è inteso come agente porizzante mentre l’effetto fertilizzante è dato da un vetro appositamente preparato e ingegnerizzato, contenente fosforo e potassio. L’uso di questo vetro permette il rilascio controllato dei nutrienti nel tempo.
2) Pannelli per isolamento termico a base di polimeri (poliuretano) in campo edilizio dove il char funge da additivo per miglioramento delle proprietà termiche ed elettriche.
I vantaggi principali sono:
- Risparmio di materie prime naturali da cava
- Risparmio di materia prima «critica» come il fosforo
- Valorizzazione del Char in materiali per utilizzi agronomici ed edilizia sostenibile
- Ottenimento prodotti poliuretanici per isolamento edilizio dalle proprietà carbon sink
- Miglioramento proprietà termiche ed elettriche
2018
- Rice Husk Ash (RHA) Recycling in Brick Manufacture: Effects on Physical and Microstructural Properties
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Manfredini, T.; Bondioli, F.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
In this study RHA was used as silica source in the obtainment of clay bricks. Different compositions were prepared, substituting
the clays with diverse percentages of RHA (0–20 wt%) and requested water contents. The pastes obtained were extruded
in laboratory, dried and then fired in an industrial camera kiln. Technological tests were performed after drying (linear
shrinkage and naphtha absorption) and firing [(24-h immersion) water absorption, linear shrinkage, weight loss, average
flexural strength] steps. Besides, to analyze the effect on the microstructure and mineralogy, SEM/EDS and XRD analysis
of the fired bricks were performed. From the tests conducted it is possible to note that RHA content contributes to reduce
the linear shrinkage during drying while an opposite effect is observed for the water absorption. Regarding mechanical test,
the products containing up to 5 wt% of RHA are in according to the recommended values for roof. Bricks containing higher
amounts of RHA could be used in building manufacturing (light weighted faced load bearing walls) where moderate strengths
and penetration protection (porosity/permeability) are required. The carbon unburned present in the RHA contributes to
increase the final porosity and the weight loss of the bricks.
2017
- Addition of WEEE glass to metakaolin based geopolymeric binder: a cytotoxicity study
[Articolo su rivista]
Catauro, Michelina; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) types of glass, including Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass, are now separately collected in European Union 28 (EU28) zone. Due to the high level of Pb and Ba in their compositions, this type of waste finds its way to the disposal. In the present research, a geopolymer matrix based on metakaolin is used to blend in fine powder panel and funnel glass from personal computer (PC) and television (TV) monitors. Such waste glass, which cannot be directed to glass melting furnaces, is safely incorporated into a geopolymer matrix. The consolidation of the geopolymeric matrix containing the waste glass was followed by pH and conductibility up to 28 days of curing. Scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used to obtain information on the microstructure of the consolidated products. Cytotoxicity tests helped the environmental evaluation of these materials.
2017
- Effect of chemical composition of different types of recycled glass
used as aggregates on the ASR performance of cement mortars
[Articolo su rivista]
Saccani, Andrea; Chiara Bignozzi, Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Bursi, Elena
abstract
Glass with different chemical compositions, deriving from separate collection, has been used as fine aggregate to formulate cementitious mortars, substituting natural sand. Glass coming from cathode-ray tube monitors, fluorescent lamps, and crystal glass (from production of home décor items) along with glass deriving from soda-lime glass containers, which has been taken as a reference, have been investigated. Glass solubility has been determined in alkaline environment similar to the one inside the cementitious composites. Alkali silica reaction has been tested on glass modified cement mortar in different accelerated conditions. The obtained results highlight an expansion behaviour of mortar samples containing glass with chemical composition different with respect to soda-lime glass. This behaviour is largely dependent on the ratio among modifier and stabilizer oxides in the glass and affects its solubility and consequently the gels composition when alkali silica reactions take place.
2017
- Geopolymerization as cold-consolidation techniques for hazardous and non-hazardous wastes
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Leonelli, Cristina; Kamseu, Elie; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
Many interesting studies on the utilization of wastes produced in different human activities (urban, agricultural and industrial) have been carried out with the goals to reduce, to recycle, to reuse or to recovery: the R4 strategy. Many of these waste contains high amount of silicoaluminates, making them suitable for alkali activation to become one of the most promising binders for the future. Other type of wastes, even if hazardous, such as incinerator fly ash, electric arc furnace dust, lead smelting slag, etc. can be easily added as minor components to the geopolymer matrix for being immobilized as either cations or anions or both.
2017
- Geopolymers based on the valorization of Municipal Solid Waste Incineration residues
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Giro-Paloma, J.; Maldonado-Alameda, A.; Formosa, J.; Barbieri, L.; Chimenos, J. M.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
he proper management of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has become one of the main environmental commitments for developed countries due to the uncontrolled growth of waste caused by the consumption patterns of modern societies. Nowadays, municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) is one of the most feasible solutions and it is estimated to increase in Europe where the accessibility of landfill is restricted. Bottom ash (BA) is the most significant by-product from MSWI as it accounts for 85-95 % of the solid product resulting from combustion, which is classified as a non-hazardous residue that can be revalorized as a secondary aggregate in road sub-base, bulk lightweight filler in construction. In this way, revalorization of weathered BA (WBA) for the production of geopolymers may be a good alternative to common reuse as secondary aggregate material; however, the chemical process to obtain these materials involves several challenges that could disturb the stability of the material, mainly from the environmental point of view. Accordingly, it is necessary that geopolymers are able to stabilize heavy metals contained in the WBA in order to be classified as non-hazardous materials. In this regard, the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio plays an important role for the encapsulation of heavy metals and other toxic elements. The aim of this research is to formulate geopolymers starting from the 0-2 mm particle size fraction of WBA, as a unique raw material used as aluminumsilicate precursor. Likewise, leaching tests of the geopolymers formulated were performed to assess their environmental impact. The findings show that it is possible to formulate geopolymers using 100 % WBA as precursor, although more investigations are needed to sustain that geopolymer obtained can be considered as non-hazardous materials.
2017
- Lead waste glasses management: Chemical pretreatment for use in cementitious composites
[Articolo su rivista]
Bursi, Elena; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Andrea, Saccani; Maria, Bignozzi
abstract
This article investigates the effect of a low-impact chemical treatment based on a nitrilotriacetic acid chelating agent on the reactivity
of funnel glass derived from discarded cathode ray tubes. Treated and untreated glass has been recycled either as a supplementary
cementing material or as a fine aggregate in cementitious mortars. The effect of the treatment on the chemical and morphological
properties of cullets, as well as on the solubility in an alkaline environment has been evaluated. Data so far collected underline a
change in glass cullets characteristics that consequently affects their behaviour in cementitious mortars, reducing the pozzolanic
activity as supplementary cementing material, but strongly decreasing the tendency towards alkali silica reactions when added as a
fine aggregate. The leaching behaviour of lead on treated and untreated glass and on derived composites has been determined to verify
the sustainability of the prepared materials.
2017
- The energetic recover of biomass from river maintenance: The rebaf project
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Pedrazzi, Simone; Allesina, Giulio; Morselli, Nicolò; Puglia, Marco; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Ceotto, Enrico; Cappelli, Giovanni Alessandro; Ginaldi, Fabrizio; Giorgini, Loris; Malcevschi, Alessio; Pederzini, Chiara; Tartarini, Paolo
abstract
This paper exposes the first year of activities regarding an Italian regional project called REBAF (RecuperoEnergeticoBiomasse Alvei Fluviali = Energetic Recover of River Biomasses). The project concerns the modeling, realization and experimental validation of innovative pathways for the exploitation of grass and woodsy biomasses from river maintenance operations. The project is focused on the Secchia river situated in the mid North of Italy. The final goal is to make the river maintenance operations self-sustainability from the economic and environmental point of views. During the first year of the project, the typical biomasses of the Secchia river was recognized and quantified. Poplar was chosen as major representative of the wood biomasses. An evaluation about wood biomass quantity obtainable for every hectare of riverbanks maintenance was made. Several gasification tests of poplar wood chips from river maintenance was done in a small CHP gasifier. The biochar obtained was characterized and it was applied on field to some giant reed plantations in order to evaluate if there will be a productivity increase with biochar as soil amendant. In addition, a model to evaluate the giant reed annual productivity in the Secchia river banks was developed.
2017
- Valorization of agro-industrial wastes in lightweight aggregates for agronomic use: Preliminary study
[Articolo su rivista]
Farias, Romina D.; García, Carmen Martínez; Palomino, Teresa Cotes; Andreola, Fernanda; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
This research was focused on the valorization of agro industrial waste/by products available in the local industry with the kilometer zero (km 0) concept, as a replacement of virgin raw materials (clay) to elaborate lightweight aggregates (LWAS). The alternative raw materials were employed as pore forming agent, in order to reduce sintering temperature and energy consumption of the furnace. The three technical nutrients studied were provided for local food industries: sludge from wastewater treatment plant from brewery industry (SB), meat-bone meal (MBM) and corn cob (CC). These materials were characterized in terms of chemical (XRF and elemental analysis - CHNS) and mineralogical (XRD) composition, as well as their thermal behavior (TGA/DTA/DSC) and LOI. For the production of LWAS different percentage of waste/by product (0, 5, 10 and 15%) were mixed with three types of clays (white, black and red) in two different clay-based mixtures. With the addition of water were produced approximately spherical pellets and thermal treated at two different temperatures (900 and 1000°C) for 1 hour. Technological parameters such as bulk and absolute density, total porosity, water absorption capacity, pH, electrical conductivity and organic matter content were measured, to determine their potential use in agriculture. XRD and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were performed for the characterization of different samples. The results indicate the potential for manufacturing high quality lightweight aggregates for agronomic purposes, using relatively simple processing and low sintering temperature that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
2016
- Design of inorganic polymer mortar from ferricalsialic and calsialic slags for indoor humidity control
[Articolo su rivista]
Kamseu, Elie; Lancellotti, Isabella; Sglavo, Vincenzo M.; Modolo, Luca; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Amorphous silica and alumina of metakaolin are used to adjust the bulk composition of black (BSS) and white (WSS) steel slag to prepare alkali-activated (AAS) mortars consolidated at room temperature. The mix-design also includes also the addition of semi-crystalline matrix of river sand to the metakaolin/steel powders. The results showed that high strength of the steel slag/metakaolin mortars can be achieved with the geopolymerization process which was particularly affected by the metallic iron present into the steel slag. The corrosion of the Fe particles was found to be responsible for porosity in the range between 0.1 and 10 μm. This class of porosity dominated (~31 vol %) the pore network of B compared to W samples (~16 vol %). However, W series remained with the higher cumulative pore volume (0.18 mL/g) compared to B series, with 0.12 mL/g. The maximum flexural strength was 6.89 and 8.51 MPa for the W and B series, respectively. The fracture surface ESEM observations of AAS showed large grains covered with the matrix assuming the good adhesion bonds between the gel-like geopolymer structure mixed with alkali activated steel slag and the residual unreacted portion. The correlation between the metallic iron/Fe oxides content, the pore network development, the strength and microstructure suggested the steel slag's significant action into the strengthening mechanism of consolidated products. These products also showed an interesting adsorption/desorption behavior that suggested their use as coating material to maintain the stability of the indoor relative humidity.
2016
- Environmentally friendly processes for the recovery of gold fromwaste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE): A review
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Lancellotti, I.; Giovanardi, R.; Bursi, E.; Barbieri, L.
abstract
The recovery of gold from waste is more attracting with respect to other metals. Base on the data of World Gold Council, the request for gold had an increasing trend during the last decade. Gold is commonly extracted from mines by mercury amalgamation and more refined techniques such as, cyanidization, flotation and smelting. These are processes which have high impact on the environment, for example, mercury is a common by-product; beside from mercury amalgam based processes, which are obsolete. In the last years many efforts were made in order to design alternative environmentally acceptable procedures. Besides the obtainment of gold from ores, nowadays it is particularly important the extraction of gold from secondary sources such as electronic and electric waste (WEEE). By considering the great amount of precious metals contained in electronic devices, the recovery process of such waste seems economically sustainable and recovery of precious metals, including gold from e-waste, is necessary in order to save the natural raw materials. Hydrometallurgical process has been exploited more often than the pyro-metallurgical process. The basic hydrometallurgy processing steps include extraction, concentration/purification, and recovery. The extraction consists of acid or alkaline leaching attacks of material containing gold. In the Chapter many leachants are reported belonging to two families: chloride and sulfur-based.
2016
- Mechanical and chemical resistance of composite materials with addition of anaerobic digestate,
[Articolo su rivista]
Taurino, Rosa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Tatàno, Fabio; Carchesio, Manuela; Pozzi, Paolo
abstract
Bioenergy, produced through the anaerobic digestion (AD) of renewable organic feedstocks, is considered to be one of the highly promising alternatives to fossil-derived energy.
The digestate residues obtained from AD finalized to bioenergy production have recently begun to be recognized as underutilized natural resources that have unrecognized value.
This work is focused on the new added valorization of digestates obtained from the AD of organic substrates. Effect of digestates treatments and concentration on the properties of composites were investigated.
The results obtained showed increase of mechanical and chemical resistance of composites by the heat treatment of digestates. Composite having 30% unsilanized calcined-digestate fillers was found to have the highest chemical and mechanical properties.
2016
- Production of cement blocks and new ceramic materials with high content of glass waste
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Taurino, Rosa; Leonelli, Cristina; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
Virgin inorganic raw materials can be partially replaced by glass waste in order to reduce the environmental impact being its recycling a significant problem for municipalities worldwide. In Italy in 2013, approximately 1, 600, 000 tons of container glass have been collected but it has not been possible to recycle all of them in the glass melting process. The valorization, reuse and reclamation of glass waste as raw material in new cement and ceramic products are here proposed with the aim to convert it from an environmental and economic burden to a profitable, added-value resource in the formulation of new mixes. Several parameters, such as grinding, forming, firing, etc. have been studied and optimized to transform glass waste in an alternative raw material for hot and cold consolidation processes. Chemical, physical and mechanical properties of products have proved that there are new and real possibilities to use high amounts of glass waste for fired items (up to 80wt%) and for cold cement mixes (up to 75wt%).
2016
- Recycling of industrial wastes in ceramic manufacturing: State of art and glass case studies
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Manfredini, Tiziano
abstract
Nowadays, ceramic tile are manufactured at zero emissions permitting to recycle all by-products and part of residues derived from depuration treatments (exhausted lime, glazing sludge and polishing sludge). In addition to this environmentally friendly tendency, in the last years an increasing number of scientific studies demonstrated the feasibility to use alternative raw materials in substitution of different component of the ternary clay-feldspar-quartz system. In the first part of the paper is reported the state of the art of industrial waste recycling in the ceramic sector, with the focus on review studies related to both ceramic tiles and bricks..In the second part of the work are reported two case studies conducted by the authors with the aim to formulate ceramic bodies using alternative raw materials. New tailored compositions were obtained replacing clays, flux and/or inert compounds (higher than 60. wt%) by scraps from packaging waste glass in tiles, and cathode ray tube glasses and packaging waste glass up to 20. wt% in the brick compositions.
2016
- Thermal approach to evaluate the sintering-crystallization ability in a nepheline-forsterite-based glass-ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Martín, M. I.; Rincòn, J. M. a.; Romero, M.
abstract
A glass in the SiO2–Al2O3–MgO–Na2O system was formulated using a non-conventional silica source and other pure raw materials. The thermal stability and crystallization mechanism have been studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Besides, the glass
ability to sintering–crystallization has been examined by optical dilatometry, a non-contact technique allowing the acquisition of dilatometric data in the viscoelastic temperature region. The experimental data were confirmed with theoretical equations. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used to verify the crystallization study and electron scanning microscopy to examine the fired sample microstructures. The prevalent crystallization mechanism has been evaluated from different parameters derived from characteristic temperatures of non-isothermal DSC curves, namely the working range (DTTS), reduced glass transition temperature (Tgr), and the dissimilarity in crystallization temperature (DTp) between fine (< 63 micron) and coarse (fragment) glass samples.
2016
- Valorization of glass wastes as support for lipase immobilization
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Bursi, Elena; Cramarossa, Maria Rita; Ferroni, Laura; Forti, Luca; Lancellotti, Isabella; Ponzoni, Chiara; Vassura, Ivano
abstract
This work focuses on treatment of lead polluted waste glass from urban collection (Pb≈5% wt) for its valorization as support in the immobilization of lipase, because soda-lime glasses are used in enzymatic catalysis.
First of all, an extraction process of surface Pb was performed. The process is based on nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) chelating agent. The operating conditions are: T=80°C, t=1h, pH 10, solid/liquid weight ratio=1/10, reagent concentration=0.1 M. Leaching tests at controlled pH performed on treated glass confirmed the typical inert nature of the glass and the effectiveness of the NTA treatment.
Afterwards lead polluted waste glasses, both untreated and treated with NTA, together with a commercial reference glass, were used as physical supports for the adsorption of Rhizopus oryzae lipase, in order to investigate their immobilization capability after specific washing/activation treatments to make functional their surface. The biocatalytic activity of the immobilized enzyme on the glasses was tested through the hydrolysis of para-nitrophenyl acetate to para-nitrophenol, quantifying the conversion percentage after 60 min of reaction by means of UV analyses at 410 nm.
From the first results, lipase immobilization on waste glasses appears to be encouraging. In particular, lipase immobilized on lead polluted glass from urban collection showed an activity comparable to that of reference glass.
2016
- Valorization of tyres waste pyrolysis residue in lightweight materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate an innovative way to utilize the char obtained from tyres pyrolysis, in order to realize light-weight materials for building. Pyrolysis residue, mixed with three types of waste glass, has been used as raw material to obtain lightweight materials, exploiting its capability to behave as foaming agent. The results demonstrate that the pyrolysis char is a good foaming agent for the mixtures 50/50 with glassy sand and packaging glass waste, thermal treated at 900°C for 45 minutes with degassing isotherm (500°C, 60 min). At these conditions, the samples obtained showed thermal behavior intermediate between an insulating commercially brick and a commercial refractory such as apparent density values lower than 1 g/cm3, compared to traditional ceramic material where density values are higher than 2 g/cm3. It can therefore be concluded that the materials produced have suitable properties for use in buildings as thermal and acoustic insulating.
2016
- Valorization of wastes, "end of waste" and by-products using hot and cold techniques
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbieri, L.; Andreola, F.; Taurino, R.; Ponzoni, C.; Manfredini, T.; Leonelli, C.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
2016
- Valorization of wastes, “end of waste” and by-products using hot and cold techniques
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbieri, L.; Andreola, F.; Taurino, R.; Ponzoni, C.; Manfredini, T.; Leonelli, C.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
The Framework Directive 2008/98/EC, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree no. 205/2010, in addition to reporting specific criteria and targets, gave the impression of a new cultural attitude that offers the combination of sustainable use of resources coupled with sustainable management of waste. The adoption of the best available technologies for processing and valorization respects first of all the proximity of the production of the waste. The final aim is the increase of recycling practice to reduce the pressure on the demand for raw materials with a double effect: reuse valuable materials, that would otherwise end up as waste, and reduce energy consumption and emissions of greenhouse gases in the process of extraction and machining. By 2020, we must manage waste as a resource through those instruments and actions that will affect the diffusion of wastes separated collection, promotion of efficient and of high-quality recycling. Contemporary we will assist to the development of markets for the new raw materials obtained by waste recovery and energy recovery limited to the non-recyclable materials regardless of the decrease in per capita and the removal of illegal shipments as well as the landfill.
2015
- Cathode ray tube (CRT) lead glass: Lead leaching study after a chelating agent treatment
[Articolo su rivista]
Bursi, Elena; Ponzoni, Chiara; Lancellotti, Isabella; Vassura, Ivano; Ferroni, Laura; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
This study is focused on the removal of leachable lead present in CRT (cathode ray tube) glass employing different chelating agents, NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) and ATMP (amino trimetilen phosphonic acid), and then on the evaluation of their extractive capability. The operating conditions are the following: T=80°C, t=1h, pH=10, solid/liquid weight ratio=1/10, reagent concentration= 0.1 M. Afterwards a number of leaching tests at controlled pH were performed in the 5-9 range for 48h at room temperature to define the lead leaching curves for CRT glass matrix and to evaluate the chelating process efficiency.
Experimental leaching curves showed a semi-U-shaped pattern, with maximum lead release at acid pH. Results demonstrated that NTA is able to remove the 66-80% of lead leachable at pH 5.
2015
- Chromium liquid waste inertization in an inorganic alkali activated matrix: Leaching and NMR multinuclear approach
[Articolo su rivista]
Ponzoni, Chiara; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Spinella, Alberto; Saladino, Maria Luisa; Martino, Delia Chillura; Caponetti, Eugenio; Armetta, Francesco; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
A class of inorganic binders, also known as geopolymers, can be obtained by alkali activation of alumi-nosilicate powders at room temperature. The process is affected by many parameters (curing time, curingtemperature, relative humidity etc.) and leads to a resistant matrix usable for inertization of hazardouswaste. In this study an industrial liquid waste containing a high amount of chromium (≈2.3 wt%) in theform of metalorganic salts is inertized into a metakaolin based geopolymer matrix. One of the innova-tive aspects is the exploitation of the water contained in the waste for the geopolymerization process.This avoided any drying treatment, a common step in the management of liquid hazardous waste. Theevolution of the process - from the precursor dissolution to the final geopolymer matrix hardening - ofdifferent geopolymers containing a waste amount ranging from 3 to 20% wt and their capability to iner-tize chromium cations were studied by: i) the leaching tests, according to the EN 12,457 regulation, atdifferent curing times (15, 28, 90 and 540 days) monitoring releases of chromium ions (Cr(III) and Cr(VI))and the cations constituting the aluminosilicate matrix (Na, Si, Al); ii) the humidity variation for differentcuring times (15 and 540 days); iii) SEM characterization at different curing times (28 and 540 days);iv) the trend of the solution conductivity and pH during the leaching test; v) the characterization of theshort-range ordering in terms of T O T bonds (where T is Al or Si) by29Si and27Al solid state magic-anglespinning nuclear magnetic resonance (ss MAS NMR) for geopolymers containing high amounts of waste(10–20% wt). The results show the formation of a stable matrix after only 15 days independently on thewaste amount introduced; the longer curing times increase the matrices stabilities and their ability toimmobilize chromium cations. The maximum amount of waste that can be inertized is around 10 wt%after a curing time of 28 days.
2015
- Design of glass foams with low environmental impact
[Articolo su rivista]
Mugoni, Consuelo; Montorsi, Monia; Siligardi, Cristina; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Bernardo, Enrico; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
Raw materials and their granulometry play a fundamental role in ceramic tile production especially as concern the mechanical properties of the final body. Aim of the present work is to
accurately investigate the role of the raw materials granulometry on the mechanical properties of a green porcelanized stoneware body. Correlations existing between the particle size distribution and flexural strength and Young's modulus of a standard gres mixture were investigated by using the Design of Experiments method. In particular, a starting mixture of clay, which composition was kept constant, feldspar and quartz, considered in two different granulometry, was used to define a statistical combination of components-mixture. After statistical analysis of the experimental data, regression models were calculated, relating the mechanical properties of the green ceramic body to the starting granulometry. Results obtained from the present study were considered for further investigations in order to produce gres with specific properties.
2015
- Effects on Folsomia candida Willem, 1902 of products resulting from anaerobic digestion of biomass tested at different soil pH
[Articolo su rivista]
D’Errico, Michele; Mauri, Marina; Taurino, Rosa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Sabatini, Maria Agnese
abstract
In recent years, it has become increasingly important to reduce the production and impact of wastes on the environment, and to save and restore natural resources. A way of disposing industrial, agro-industrial and urban wastes is their treatment by anaerobic digestion, with the production of biogas and residual organic material. The latter is commonly called digestate and can be used in agriculture as fertilizer, soil improver or adsorbent material, but only scarce or no evaluations of its biological effects on soil organisms are presently available. The aim of the present research was to study the effects of digestate, when added to soils with different pH values, on the survival and reproduction of the collembolan Folsomia candida. The digestate investigated in this study was obtained from agro-industrial wastes mixed with biological sludge. We exposed springtails to two different concentrations of digestate (2.5%; 5%) in two artificial soils with pH values of 6 and 4.5. The addition of digestate resulted in an increase of experimental-soil pH values, depending on the concentration and original pH value of the artificial soil used. The negative effects of digestate detected on the survival and reproduction of F. candida was mainly attributed to pH values > 6. The high pH value, however, does not explain by itself the strong decrease in number of juveniles in the experimental soil when the highest concentration of digestate was combined with the highest pH value reached: in this case it is possible to assume a combined effect of pH and other digestate characteristics such as nitrogen content and salinity, currently under study.
2015
- Geopolymers: An option for the valorization of incinerator bottom ash derived “end of waste”
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Cannio, Maria; Bollino, Flavia; Catauro, Michelina; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
In the present paper, bottom ashes from urban waste incineration wer used as sole source material to develop geopolymers activated with alkali solution. This study intends to gather basic structural data on the synthesized materials at fixed curing times (3 h;1, 4, 5, 7, 30 days; 20 months) by X-ray (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis. Curing time affects both crystalline phase transformation and the geopolymeric gel structure. The XRD results showed the starting of geopolymerization, due to the alkali activation, already within the first 3 hof curing. New phases such as hydrated sodium carbonate and gismondine, confirming the progressive ash reactivity, appeared after 4 h and 1 day of curing respectively. Finally, after approximately 30 days curing at room temperature, the condensation process and, consequently, the formation of a stable 3D gel of aluminosilicate network occurred. FTIR showed a 40 cm_1 displacement of the band at 980cm_1 during the first hours of the geopolymer formation confirming the formation of the geopolymeric network also from a matrix without metakaolin. Furthermore Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM–EDS) analyses were performed to assess morphological characteristics and to evaluate the presence of unreacted aluminosilicate particles in the obtained geopolymers.
2015
- Glass waste as supplementary cementing materials: The effects of glass chemical composition
[Articolo su rivista]
Bignozzi, M. C.; Saccani, A.; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Sustainable cements containing 25 wt% of different types of recycled glass have been investigated as a supplementary cementing material in order to highlight the role of glass chemical composition during the hardening process. Glass formers, stabilizers and modifiers regulate the glass dissolution in the alkaline environment during cement hydration. As a consequence, pozzolanic reaction and/or alkali–silica reaction are strictly related to the glass chemical composition. The mechanical and microstructure characterizations of mortar samples containing glass blended cements and un-reactive aggregates allow to determine which oxides in the glass have to be carefully monitored to avoid deleterious reactions.
2015
- Recycling of aluminum and titanium chips by microwave augmented SHS
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Veronesi, Paolo; Rosa, Roberto; Colombini, Elena; Lancellotti, Isabella; Giovanardi, Roberto; Leonelli, Cristina; Montecchia, L.; Cavatorta, G.
abstract
Recycling of titanium and aluminium chips to manufacture wear and corrosion-resistant intermetallic-based coatings is achieved by microwave assisted Self Propagating High Temperature Synthesis (SHS). A multi-physics model implementing both reaction kinetic and microwave heating and heat transfer has been developed in order to optimize the synthesis condition. Numerical simulation allowed to investigate the preferable applicator geometry and to quantify the excess heat generated, which could be useful to promote further reactions with an iron-based substrate, thus realizing intermetallic-coated steel-based products.
2015
- Use of alkali-activated concrete binders for toxic waste immobilization
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
The increasingly urgent need for the use of industrial inorganic waste as raw material for new materials poses geopolymers as an alternative to the traditional Portland cement /concrete. These alkali activated materials can, in fact, be considered a resource in a sustainable waste management as it is possible to formulate them starting from waste, mostly aluminosilicates, not dangerous. Nevertheless it is also possible to design and use alumina and silica bearing wastes as matrices for inertization of hazardous compounds which might be contained in the waste itself or that can be added on with the purpose to reach solidification/stabilization. In this sense we can define the geopolymerization of waste materials the technique that combines the alkaline activation of the aluminosilicatic and/or phosphatic component to act as matrix and the dissolution/activation/hydrolization of the surface of the particles of waste. The surface reactivity is in fact responsible for the bond that is formed between the waste particles and the aluminosilicatic matrix immobilizing the heavy metal ions. The nature of the waste, in terms of mineralogy, alumina and silica contents, particle size, surface area and morphology, significantly affect the reactivity of the waste itself. Single heavy metals cations as well as more complex hazardous wastes of industrial or urban origin have been successfully treated with the geopolymeration technique over the past few years.
2015
- Valorization of inorganic waste, end of waste and by-product for ceramics
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbieri, Luisa; Andreola, Nora Maria; Taurino, Rosa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Recycling and re-use of waste are economically attractive options for public and private actors due to widespread separate collection and the development of functional markets for secondary raw materials. The ceramic sector is particularly sensitive to this setting through re-entry into the production cycle of all by-products and partially amounts of residues derived from depuration treatment process. Besides, thanks to academic and industrial research results, there is the tendency to see different inorganic wastes, “end of wastes” and by-products as new good candidates.
In the present work, two case studies, one describing ceramics with high amount of glass waste and one ceramics with different kind of wastes, end-of-wastes and by-products, are reported with a commented list of technological and environmental benefits.
2015
- Wastes materials in geopolymers
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Lancellotti, I.; Ponzoni, C.; Barbieri, L.; Leonelli, C.
abstract
A promising process, often indicated as geopolymerization, describes the formation of an aluminosilicate amorphous matrix where Ca is absent or contained in low amount. Geopolymers are obtained from an aluminosilicate powder activated by alkaline solutions and the synthesis process involves three separate stages: dissolution, condensation and polymerization. Sodium silicate is used for the activation of many kinds of aluminosilicate precursors and hazardous wastes. In the present work, three case studies of solid and liquid, hazardous and non-hazardous wastes added in geopolymers will be presented. The results show the versatility of this technique and the possibility to obtain geopolymers from aluminosilicate-based waste and to immobilize their hazardous ions.
2014
- Comparison of biomethane production and digestate characterization for selected agricultural substrates in Italy
[Articolo su rivista]
M., Carchesio; F., Tatàno; Lancellotti, Isabella; Taurino, Rosa; E., Colombo; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
Starting from (but not limited to) their importance in the Italian context, three agricultural substrates, two of fruit origin (grape seeds and plum stones) and one of herbaceous origin (woad), were comparatively tested for both biomethane production and digestate characterization. The anaerobic digestion tests showed that grape seeds had the highest net methane production of 253.0NmL g volatile solids (VS)−1, followed by plum stones, whose best resulting net methane production was 174.7NmLgVS−1, and finally by woad with a net methane production of 153.1NmLgVS−1. Interestingly, the best methane productions of the fruit substrates were obtained with different substrate to inoculum ratios (on aVS basis), 1:1 for grape seeds but 2:1 for plum stones. On the other hand, a three-month ageing of woad caused a limited reduction of methane production. The estimation of obtained degrees of conversion, carried out on a chemical oxygen demand (COD) basis for the specific tests achieving the respective best methane productions, gave values of 48%, 31%, and 33% for grape seeds, plum stones, and woad, respectively. The estimated degrees of conversion were evaluated along with the respective methane productions and substrate COD/VS ratios. The comparison of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and differential thermal analysis (DTA) profiles, carried out for selected digestates in pairs, revealed some distinctive differences in the relative intensities or presence and absence of particular peaks in the FT-IR spectra and in the relative intensities of the exothermic peaks or horizontal curve shifting of the DTA profiles.
2014
- Ecotoxicological assessment of products resulting from the anaerobic digestion of organic wastes using the collembolan Folsomia candida.
[Abstract in Atti di Convegno]
D’Errico, Michele; Mauri, Marina; Taurino, Rosa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Sabatini, Maria Agnese
abstract
In recent years waste disposal has increasingly become greater as a result of the current economic system based on continued growth in production and consumption of goods and services. It is therefore important to reduce the production and the waste impact on the environment, and to save natural resources by waste retrieving. A way of waste disposal is its treatment by anaerobic digestion, which is a treatment technique of industrial, agro-industrial and urban wastes used for their management and to produce biogas. The digested materials resulting from the process are frequently used in agriculture as fertilizers, soil improvers or adsorbent material but scarce or no evaluations of the biological effects on soil community are available. One of the most important problems of agricultural soils is the alteration of structure, which can be addressed by adding organic complex materials, such as digestate. However, if the added material alters the physico-chemical conditions such as pH or buffer capacity, it may cause ecotoxicological problems, such as a release of metals in soluble form, and it can modify the environmental conditions leading to the fitness decrease of the present populations. So, this practice could exacerbate the decline of biodiversity in agricultural soils rather than improve it. The digestate investigated in this study was obtained from the anaerobic digestion under mesophilic conditions of grape-seeds and kernels of plums, mixed at a 1:1 ratio with a biological sludge from the treatment of urban wastewater. The aim of present research was to evaluate the impact of the digestate added on soil on survival and reproduction of the collembolan Folsomia candida. We exposed F. candida to different concentrations of digestate (0; 2.5%; 5%). The alkaline nature of the digestate leads to the variation of soil pH, therefore we set up twoconcentration test series at two different initial soil pH values (4.5 and 6 respectively). Experimental groups at pH 6 and pH 7, respectively, were also arranged in order to evaluate the biological effects of soil pH alone. The ecotoxicological tests with F. candida were carried out according to ISO protocol (ISO 11267:1999, 2014). One-way ANOVA tests were performed to assess the effect of digestate concentration and soil pH on the biological performances. A Student-Newman-Keuls test was then carried out when appropriate. The results highlighted that the pH values of the experimental soils were dependent on the amount of the added digestate and the initial pH of the artificial soil. A statistically significant effect on survival was associated with the increase of the pH of the experimental soil. No effect on survival was directly caused by the addition of digestate to the experimental ground, as the springtail survival significantly decreased with the higher digestate concentration used (5%) only in the experimental group at higher soil pH. No effect on reproduction was detected related to the addition of digestate to the experimental ground, while a statistically significant effect on reproduction was associated with the increase of the pH of the experimental soil. In fact, reproduction resulted significantly modified depending on pH reached in soil. In soils where the higher digestate concentration was used (determining a higher pH value: pH=8) the juvenile number strongly decreased with respect to other experimental groups. In all experimental groups characterized by pH ≥ 7 their reproduction was negatively affected independently from the digestate added (0; 2.5%; 5%). In the group with 2.5% of digestate and experimental soil pH = 6 the number of juveniles was not different from the number of juveniles found in the control group with experimental soil pH = 6. The effect on the survival and reproduction of the springtail F. candida, who normally prefer to settle on weakly acid soils, seemed related to the alkaline nature of the digest
2014
- Environmental friendly management of CRT glass by foaming with waste egg shells, calcite or dolomite
[Articolo su rivista]
Fernandes, H. R.; Ferreira, D. D.; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Ferreira, J. M. F.
abstract
Panel (P) and funnel (F) glasses from Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) have been used to obtain glass foams by a simple and economic processing route, consisting of direct heating the glass powders at relatively low temperatures (650-750 °C) using different foaming agents (FA) such as egg shells, calcite, dolomite. Mixtures in different proportions of P and F glass powders were tested and the effects of composition and heat treatment temperature on the foaming behaviour were evaluated. Glass foams featuring apparent density and compressive strength values of 0.29 g/cm3 and 2.34 MPa, respectively, could be produced from a P/F ratio=1 with added 3 wt% of egg shells upon heat treating at 700 °C for 15 min. The P/F ratio was found to strongly influence the foaming behaviour and, consequently, the physical properties of the final foam glass. The relative performance of other foaming agents under a given set of experimental conditions revealed to be dependent on the type of glass (composition and thermal properties).
2014
- Glass-ceramic foams from borosilicate glass waste
[Articolo su rivista]
Taurino, Rosa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
In this study, we reported the studies on a glass-ceramic foam with wollastonite and cristobalite micrometric crystals prepared by sintering a borosilicate glass waste with organic binder as foaming agent. The waste glass, coming from the dismantling of washing machine, was characterized by high CaO content and low-temperature sinterability. The effect of the temperature on the sinter-crystallization ability of the borosilicate glass waste was followed with thermal analysis, heating microscopy, and electron scanning microscopy (ESEM) observations. Additionally, the effect of temperature on the evolution of crystalline phases and density variation was monitored with XRD and density measurements. The softening started at 800°C and crystallization at 845°C to be completed at 900°C with a linear expansion of 38-40% in the range 850-900°C. Wollastonite and cristobalite were identified as crystalline phases in variable proportions dependently upon temperature. No crack evidence was found at high ESEM magnification even though cristobalite crystals were present. The final products showed a total porosity around 78-79% and an apparent density of about 0.5 g/cm3, in line with common porous closed-cell glass foams used for thermal insulation. © 2014 The American Ceramic Society and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
2014
- Incinerator Bottom Ash and Ladle Slag for Geopolymers
Preparation
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Ponzoni, Chiara; Maria Chiara, Bignozzi; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Ladle slag (LS) and urban incineration bottom ash (BA) are two types of non hazardous inorganic wastes which do not contain significant amounts of pollutants such as heavy metals and organics. Nowadays they are necessarily disposed of with little attention placed for re-use or recycling. Considering their chemical composition, rich in silica and alumina with substantial levels of lime and iron oxides, these residues can be suitable for generating new alkali activated materials. A safe reuse of these residues in high percentages (60–70 wt%) is presented in this study for mortar production. The final room-temperature consolidated materials, also known as geopolymers, have been characterized in terms of thermogravimetric analysis, morphology, porosity, and crystalline phases evolution. When incinerator BA is used, the morphology of the resulting geopolymer is very close to that of pure metakaolinic pastes, whereas for LS based geopolymers calcium presence promotes the formation of calcium–aluminate–silicate–hydrate phase. This investigation also demonstrated that the content of reactive fraction of BA is of primary importance to assess its possible use in alkaline activation process.
2014
- Preliminary studies on the valorization of animal flour ash for the obtainment of active glasses
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Andreola, Nora Maria; Bellucci, Devis; Cannillo, Valeria; Lancellotti, Isabella; A., Lugari; Rincon, J. M. a.; M., Romero; Sola, Antonella
abstract
Animal flour ash, rich in phosphorous, calcium and alkaline oxides, has been used to formulate (i) controlled-release fertilizers, since they manage to release the nutrient elements (P, K) at a low rate, and (ii) bioactive glasses.
(i) Four formulations were tailored using different amounts of animal flour ash (35–48 wt%), potassium carbonate (10–25 wt%) and a fixed amount of glassy sand (40wt%) in order to get glasses and glass-ceramics. The materials were characterised from a chemical (XRF), crystallographic (XRD) and microstructural (SEM/EDS) point of view. Moreover, in order to check the ability to release the macro-and micro-nutrients, tests were conducted to determine the kinetics of glass dissolution in different media (2% citric acid solution, 1% hydrochloric acid solution and ammonium citrate solution). The results obtained allowed to confirm all samples show a very low solubility in water (less than 1%) and high values (>40%) of P, Ca, K and Na in the other media.
(ii) The rich content of phosphorous and calcium oxides makes the animal waste-derived ash a potential low-cost raw material to produce bioactive glasses. The analysis was focused on a bioactive glass, named BG_Ca, whose composition comes from the standard Bioglass® 45S5, got by increasing as much as possible the CaO content to combine a controlled behaviour during processing and a good apatite-forming ability in a simulated body fluid (SBF). This preliminary investigation shows that animal flour ash is a versatile material,which may be successfully used for several applications as various as the production of fertilisers and the preparation of bioactive glasses.
2014
- Rapid screening of different chelating agents in the lead
extraction from cathode ray tube (CRT) funnel glass
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Ponzoni, Chiara
abstract
The cathode ray tube (CRT) glass is one of the most important problem that afflicts the electronic waste
disposal whose solution lies in the identification of efficient
and ecofriendly processes to detoxify and reutilize leadcontained funnel glass. This study is focused on a rapid
screening of different chemical and mechanochemical processes to reduce lead content in waste CRT glass downgrading the risk correlated to it. In particular, as a possibility to clean waste CRT glass, treatments of lead-containing glass with different chelating agents (EDTA, NTA, ATMP, EDTMP and HEDP) were performed to evaluate their extractive capabilities. Furthermore, the influence of the grinding, the chelating agent functional groups (polyamino-carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid, and polyamino phosphonic acid), and the time and the temperature on lead content reduction were analyzed. ESEM and EDS analysis were performed on all the samples to evaluate the lead amount before and after the treatments.
2014
- Release of agronomical nutrient from zeolitite substrate containing phosphatic waste
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; T., Toschi; E., Passaglia; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
The principal plant nutrients are phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium. Among these compounds, phosphorous is the most critical: it reacts rapidly, becoming an insoluble compound. The combination of zeolitites with phosphate materials (zeoponic substrate) agrees to a gradual and controlled phosphorous release in soils: phosphorous for plant uptake is released by the combination of dissolution and ionexchange reactions. Animal bone ashes, rich in phosphorous and leached alone, release little amounts of soluble phosphorous and a great deal of alkaline sodium and potassium. Concerning chabazitic-zeolitite, it encourages a both gradual and growing soluble phosphorous release from animal bone ashes, in accordance with clinoptilolitic- and phillipsiticzeolitite abilities; in particular, that release increases, thanks to both a higher zeolitite/bone ash ratio and ammonium enrichment of zeolitite. The use of zeolitite is environmentally sustainable in Italy because large amounts of deposits of zeolitite were present in Italy.
2014
- Sinter-crystallization in air and inert atmospheres of a glass from pre-treated municipal solid waste bottom ashes
[Articolo su rivista]
A., Karamanov; L., Maccarini Schabbach; E., Karamanova; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; B., Ranguelov; G., Avdeev; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Glass powders, obtained after vitrification and milling of iron-rich Municipal Solid Waste Bottom Ashes (MSWA),
were studied towards manufacture of sintered glass-ceramic material. The crystallization kinetics was investigated
both in air and argon atmospheres by non-isothermal Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). The densification
behaviors at different temperatures were studied with optical dilatometry. The formed crystal phases were
evaluated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the microstructure of samples were observed by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM).
The investigated composition is characterized with a high crystallization trend and formation of pyroxene solid
solutions and melilite solid solutions. Due to additional nucleation process and lower viscosity (because of the
lack of Fe2+ oxidation) the phase formation in inert atmosphere is accelerated and is carried out at lower
temperature.
In the interval 800–900 °C the densification in both atmospheres is inhibited by the intensive phase formation.
However, after increasing the sintering temperature up to 1120–1130 °C secondary densification is carried out,
resulting in material with zero water absorption, low closed porosity and high crystallinity. Some decreasing of
sintering temperature and finer crystal structure are predicted at densification in inert atmosphere.
2013
- Alkali activation processes for incinerator residues management
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Ponzoni, Chiara; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Incinerator bottom ash (BA) is produced in large amount worldwide and in Italy, where 5.1 millions tons
of municipal solid residues have been incinerated in 2010, corresponding to 1.2–1.5 millions tons of produced
bottom ash. This residue has been used in the present study for producing dense geopolymers containing
high percentage (50–70 wt%) of ash. The amount of potentially reactive aluminosilicate fraction in
the ash has been determined by means of test in NaOH. The final properties of geopolymers prepared
with or without taking into account this reactive fraction have been compared. The results showed that
due to the presence of both amorphous and crystalline fractions with a different degree of reactivity, the
incinerator BA geopolymers exhibit significant differences in terms of Si/Al ratio and microstructure
when reactive fraction is considered.
2013
- Anaerobic digestion of selected Italian agricultural and industrial residues (grape seeds and
leather dust): combined methane production and digestate characterization
[Articolo su rivista]
C., Caramiello; Lancellotti, Isabella; F., Righi; F., Tatàno; Taurino, Rosa; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
A combined experimental evaluation of methane production (obtained by anaerobic digestion) and detailed digestate characterization
(with physical-chemical, thermo-gravimetric and mineralogical approaches) was conducted on two organic
substrates, which are specific to Italy (at regional and national levels). One of the substrates was grape seeds, which have
an agricultural origin, whereas the other substrate was vegetable-tanned leather dust, which has an industrial origin. Under
the assumed experimental conditions of the performed lab-scale test series, the grape seed substrate exhibited a resulting
net methane production of 175.0NmLg volatile solids (VS)−1; hence, it can be considered as a potential energy source via
anaerobic digestion. Conversely, the net methane production obtained from the anaerobic digestion of the vegetable-tanned
leather dust substrate was limited to 16.1NmLgVS−1. A detailed characterization of the obtained digestates showed that
there were both nitrogen-containing compounds and complex organic compounds present in the digestate that was obtained
from the mixture of leather dust and inoculum. As a general perspective of this experimental study, the application of diversified
characterization analyzes could facilitate (1) a better understanding of the main properties of the obtained digestates to
evaluate their potential valorization, and (2) a combination of the digestate characteristics with the corresponding methane
productions to comprehensively evaluate the bioconversion process.
2013
- Analisi di impatto ambientale mediante LCA di un palettizzatore
[Abstract in Atti di Convegno]
Gheduzzi, Sebastiano; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Neri, Paolo; Ferrari, Anna Maria
abstract
Obiettivo dello studio è la valutazione del danno ambientale e dei costi esterni dovuti al ciclo di vita di un palettizzatore prodotto da un’azienda del settore. L'analisi ambientale viene effettuata con il metodo del Life Cycle Assessment. I confini del sistema studiato comprendono l'estrazione dei materiali costituenti i componenti, il trasporto del prodotto finito, il consumo di energia per la fase d’uso, la manutenzione e il fine vita per il quale si suppone che i materiali dei componenti siano separabili e quindi riciclabili. La maggior parte dei dati sono primari. In mancanza di essi, i dati sono stati ottenuti dalla letteratura esistente o da statistiche di settore. Per la valutazione sono stati usati i metodi IMPACT, ReCiPe ed EPS 2000. Con tutti i metodi la fase più impattante della vita del palettizzatore è risultata essere l’utilizzo a causa dei consumi di energia elettrica.
2013
- CRYSTALLISATION AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF NEPHELINE FORSTERITE GLASS-CERAMICS
[Articolo su rivista]
M. I., Martín; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Bondioli, Federica; Lancellotti, Isabella; Rincón, J. M. a.; M., Romero
abstract
This work presents the results of a study focused on the development of forsterite-nepheline glass-ceramic with the use of rice husk ash (RHA) as a silica source. The glass-ceramics were produced by a sintering process of a glassy frit formulated in the MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 base system with the addition of B2O3 and Na2O to facilitate the melting and pouring processes. The crystallisation study was carried out by depicting the TTT curve (Time-Temperature-Transformation). The mineralogical characterisation of the glass-ceramic materials was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The crystallisation activation energies were calculated by the Kissinger method. The results obtained show that nepheline (Na2O•Al2O3•SiO2) is the major crystalline phase in the temperature interval 700-950ºC and forsterite (2MgO•SiO2) predominates at temperatures above 950ºC. A study of the microstructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed to establish the morphological evolution in both shape and spatial arrangement of the nepheline and forsterite crystals on heating.
2013
- INERTIZATION OF CHROMIUM LIQUID WASTE IN INORGANIC POLYMERS VIA ALKALI ACTIVATION OF METAKAOLIN
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Ponzoni, Chiara; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
In the present work, a hazardous waste deriving from the colouring process of ceramic tiles surfaces was
immobilized in geopolymeric inorganic matrix. This waste is in liquid homogeneous form composed prevalently of
aqueous solutions of metals compounds which develop colours during the firing cycle.
The colorant solution contains Fe, Mo, Mn, Co, Cr, depending on the final colour, together with mineralisers
and complexes. One of the innovative aspects of this research is the exploitation of water content of the waste and
the absence of the drying step, the latter being a common step in the management of liquid hazardous wastes.
2013
- Inorganic polymers from alkali activation of metakaolin: Effect of setting and curing on structure
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Michelina, Catauro; Ponzoni, Chiara; Flavia, Bollino; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Geopolymers, obtained by chemical reaction between aluminosilicate oxides and silicates under highly
alkaline conditions, are studied in this paper. The proposed mechanism of geopolymer setting and
hardening or curing consists of a dissolution, a transportation or an orientation, as well as a
polycondensation step. The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of the curing time and
temperature, the relative humidity and the reagents temperature on the geopolymerization process in
order to obtain a resistant matrix usable for inertization of hazardous wastes. The evolution of the
process from the precursors dissolution to final geopolymer matrix hardening has been followed by
FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, SEM/EDS and leaching tests. The results show the significant
influence of both curing temperature in the curing stage and of the mould materials on the matrix
stability. The easy-to-run preparation procedure for a chemically stable metakaolin geopolymer
individuated can be summarized as reagents setting and curing at room temperature and material
mould which permits moisture level around 40%.
2013
- Management of agricultural biomass wastes:Preliminary study on characterization and valorisation in clay matrix bricks
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Taurino, Rosa
abstract
In this work the feasibility of using woody agricultural biomass wastes as grapes and cherrie sseeds,saw- dust,as pore forming agent,and sugar cane ash,as silica precursor,in bricks,were reported.
Sawdust and grapes and cherries seeds,thanks to their organic substances content,during their com- bustion,bring an energetic support in the bricks firingphase and act as pore formi ng agent.Usually the addition of this kind of waste is limited to 10 wt.%in order to reach an equilibrium between positive (weightand shrinkage decrease and porosity increase)and negative (increase of water absorption and mechanical resistance decrease)effects.The results show that grapes and cherries seeds,added in aper- centage of 5wt.%to abrick formulation,have better influencewith respect to the sawdust,maintaining the mechanical properties of the firedbrick (950C),showing modulu sof rupture around 21–23MPa with aweight reduction of 3–10%(respectto the standard one).Regarding the sugar cane ash,the addi- tion of 5wt.%improves the mechanical properties (modulusof rupture around 27 MPa)and no weight decrease is observed.These results confirmedthe role played by this kind of agricultural waste,which thanks to its high silica content (61wt.%)is capable to demonstrate afillerand plasticity reducing effect on the brick bodies.Tests carried out highlighted that the addition of these by-products (5wt.%)do not change negatively the main technological properties measured (waterabsorption,linear shrinkage,flex-ural resistance,etc.)and permit to hypothesize their use to obtain bricks with both insulating and higher mechanical properties using apore agent forming or silica carrier alternative raw materials,respectively.
2013
- Mix-design and characterization of alkali activated materials based on metakaolin and ladle slag
[Articolo su rivista]
Maria Chiara, Bignozzi; Stefania, Manzi; Lancellotti, Isabella; Kamseu, Elie; Barbieri, Luisa; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Recycling industrial waste to produce newmaterials is a driving path to promote a sustainable development. Alkali
activation can be a very effective tool to reach this goal especially when the starting material can be carbon
fly ash and blast furnace slag instead of calcined natural clays such as metakaolin. With the aim to further increase
the type ofwaste to be used as precursor and to promote a new recycling route, alkali activated materials
based on partial substitution of metakaolin with ladle slag, deriving from the refining process of steel produced
by arc electric furnace technology, are reported. In particular, being ladle slag rich in Ca-containing crystalline
phases, its effect on the consolidation process has been investigated by means ofmicrostructure analysis carried
out with XRD, SEM and MIP techniques. The results show that ladle slag are activated by alkaline solutions and
participate in gels formation. Indeed, an optimization in terms of ladle slag content (60–80 wt.%) and the coexistence
of different types of gels (3D aluminosilicate, C-S-H and Ca-rich aluminosilicate) have been envisaged.
2013
- TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE RECOVERY OF SCRAPS DERIVED FROM TREATING GLASS PACKAGING WASTE
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Davide, Giuranna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Taurino, Rosa
abstract
Nowadays, the Italian industry is constantly oriented on innovation of products and processes in order to
achieve a high level of economic and environmental sustainability. In this context, the waste management of Emilia
Romagna region is very active on the Italian territory, thanks to over 2 thousand green companies engaged in such activities. This philosophy must be understood as a strategy to address current and future challenges and to
strengthen our production system thanks to the support and commitment of citizens, consumers and entrepreneurs.
In 2010, in Italy about 32 million of municipal waste was produced, with a rate of separate collection of 35.3%. The waste glass collected in 2012 in Italy by separate collection of packaging waste amounted to approximately 1.6 million of tons of which 71% is sent to recovery (98% intended to glassworks, 2% to alternative recovery in ceramic or building industry (Co.Re.Ve, 2012). In Italy, the glass cullet is managed by Co.Re.Ve., the Italian Consortium for the recovery of packaging glass, since 1997. The cycle of collection and recovery of this glass can be implemented in 5 phases: collection of glass packaging in the container for recycling, withdrawal and transfer of glass cullet to the treatment plant, particle size selection and subdivision of cullet glass, obtainment of scrap suitable for the glassworks (maximum 0.068% of impurities (Co.Re.Ve., 2012), implementation of new packaging containing up to 90-95% of recycled glass. Specific treatments are performed on the glass cullet to obtain very low impurities values, such as manual sorting of pollutants, screening, separation of magnetic materials, suction of lightweight bodies and separation of non - magnetic bodies and opaque bodies are applied. Despite sophisticated equipment selection, total selection of "impure glass" is not guaranteed. In accordance with the Waste Framework Directive 98/2008/EC (landfill as a last form of disposal), the glass waste not sent to glassworks requires an alternative and innovative form of disposal.
Nowadays, in Italy, this fraction (contaminated by ceramic granules and high degree of organic pollutants and
coarse scraps) is collected and, in particularly in the North of Italy, treated by technological plant in order to obtain
secondary raw materials for both glassworks and ceramics. However, these treatments are very expansive and the
materials obtained (in particular glass or ceramic sand) have high economic value sometimes not economically sustainable.
2013
- Technological properties of glass-ceramic tiles obtained using rice husk ash as silica precursor
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; M. I., Martín; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; F., Bondioli; Rincón, J. M. a.; M., Romero; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
This paper reports the results of a study focused on the obtainment of glass-ceramic by using rice husk ash (RHA) as silica precursor.
RHA is a by-product generated in biomass plants using rice husk as fuel for kilns or in the rice mills to generate steam for the parboiling
process. Worldwide, it is annually produced about 132 Mt of rice husk, which gives rise to a production of 33 Mt/year of RHA. Glassceramic
tiles were produced by a sinter-crystallization process using a glassy frit formulated in the MgO–Al2O3-SiO2 composition
system. The realized glass-ceramics were studied according to ISO rules for sintering and technological properties (water absorption,
apparent density, bending strength, Young’s modulus, deep abrasion, Mohs hardness). To complete the investigation crystalline phase
formation and microstructural characterization of the glass-ceramic materials was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and
scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, chemical durability tests on parent glass and derived glass-ceramics were performed. The
results obtained showed that it is possible to use RHA to produce glass-ceramic tiles by a sinter-crystallization process, obtaining
nepheline (Na2O*Al2O3*SiO2) as main crystalline phase and forsterite (2MgO*SiO2) at 900 1C. Regarding technological features, the
sintered materials showed bending strength values and Mohs hardness higher with respect to commercial glass-ceramics like
NeopariesR. Other properties as water absorption (0.5%) allowed to classify these materials into the Group BIa characteristic of
high sintered ceramic tiles according to European Standard rule.
2013
- The use of egg shells to produce Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass foams
[Articolo su rivista]
Hugo R., Fernandes; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Maria J., Pascual; José M. F., Ferreira
abstract
Cleaned Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) (panel and funnel) waste glasses produced from dismantling TV and PC colour kinescopes were used to prepare glass foams by a simple and economic processing route, consisting of a direct heating of glass powders at relatively low temperatures (600–800 1C). This study reports on the feasibility of producing glass foams using waste egg shells as an alternative calcium carbonate-based (95 wt%) foaming agent derived from food industry. The foaming process was found to depend on a combination of composition, processing temperature and mixture of raw materials (glass wastes). Hot stage microscopy (HSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize foams and evaluate the foaming ability and the sintering process. The experimental compositions allowed producing well sintered glass foams with suitable properties for some functional applications with environmental benefits such as: (1) reduced energy consumption because of the low heat treatment temperatures used; and (2) materials produced exclusively from residues.
2013
- Valutazione ecotossicologica dell’utilizzo in agricoltura di prodotti derivanti dalla digestione anaerobica di rifiuti
[Abstract in Rivista]
M., D’Errico; Lancellotti, Isabella; Sabatini, Maria Agnese; Taurino, Rosa; F., Tatàno; Mauri, Marina
abstract
Negli ultimi anni è notevolmente aumentato l'interesse per la digestione anaerobica come tecnica di trattamento di scarti agroindustriali che trasforma la sostanza organica in biogas. I prodotti di scarto del trattamento, i digestati, possono essere utilizzati in agricoltura come fertilizzanti, ammendanti o materiale adsorbente. Il digestato oggetto di questo studio è stato ottenuto dalla digestione anaerobica in condizioni mesofiliche di vinaccioli e noccioli di prugna, miscelati in rapporto 1:1 in termini di soliL’effetto . Al fine di valutare l'impatto che tale digestato potrebbe avere sull'ambiente una volta aggiunto al suolo, ne è stato valutato l’effetto su sopravvivenza e riproduzione del collembolo Folsomia candida seguendo il protocollo ISO in terreno artificiale (ISO 11267:1999). Il test ha previsto l’esposizione di F. candida per 28 giorni a concentrazioni differenti di digestato nel terreno (0, 1%, 2,5%, 4%, 5%). Inoltre, poiché era emerso che l’aggiunta di digestato al terreno artificiale determinava un innalzamento del pH, è stata preparata una serie di campioni senza digestato in terreno portato a pH 7,5. Una diminuzione significativa della sopravvivenza dei collemboli è stata osservata solo per la concentrazione 5% (pH=8,0). La concentrazione al 2,5% (pH=7,8) si è dimostrata sufficiente a produrre un'inibizione della fecondità pari al 41%, mentre non risulta significativa la differenza di fecondità tra il controllo (pH=6,4) e i campioni in cui è stato aggiunto 1% di digestato (pH=7,5). Pertanto la soglia di tossicità per la sopravvivenza può essere collocata fra la concentrazione di 4% e 5% di digestato e per la riproduzione fra 1% e 2,5%. Non sono state evidenziate, invece, differenze significative tra i campioni senza digestato portati a pH=7,5 e i campioni con digestato al 2,5% (pH=7,8). Un possibile effetto biologico legato direttamente alla modificazione di pH del terreno può, pertanto, essere preso in considerazione.
2012
- Mechanical and biological characterization of geopolymers for potential application as biomaterials
[Articolo su rivista]
M., Catauro; F., Bollino; I., Kansal; Kamseu, Elie; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
In this study three different geopolymer compositions have been investigated and characterized as potential biomaterials. Two geopolymer formulations are mainly composed of metakaolin, with some silica additions so that to reach Si/Al = 2.10 molar ratio, the third one contains a reduced amount of metakaolin and it is constitutes mainly of silica gel with composition: H24AlK7Si31O79 with Si/Al = 31. While in the first two formulations the powders were added of NaOH and sodium silicate in different percentages as activator and ligand, respectively, in the third one two different KOH addition methods (separately or jointly with potassium silicate solution) were performed. Room temperature consolidation was followed by thermal activation of composition Si/Al=31 at 60°C for 150 min and at 500°C for 180 min. The work presents exhaustive microstructural characterization (FT-IR, SEM/EDS, XRD) jointly with compression resistance tests and bioactivity studies on pressed powders of the two geopolymers. The materials were composed of amorphous aluminosilicates and a limited amount of zeolitic phases, found on the top surface. The compressive strength of the first two compositions was higher than 15 MPa and flexural strength around 2 MPa after 2 days of curing at room temperature. Compressive strength tests were carried out on Si/Al = 31 geopolymer on both activated sample series and demonstrated that when added separately the activator leads to more fragile specimens (0.90 MPa vs 1.95 MPa). To authors knowledge the effect of geopolymer preparation on mechanical properties of thermally activated Si/Al = 31 formulation has never been proved before. The bioactivity was successfully tested with the soaking of the samples in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for 3 weeks. The formation of a layer of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the materials was shown both by SEM micrograph and EDS analysis.
2012
- Post-treated incinerator bottom ash as alternative raw material for ceramic manufacturing
[Articolo su rivista]
Schabbach, Luciana; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; E., Karamanova; B., Ranguelov; A., Karamanov
abstract
New ceramics based on 60 wt% of alternative raw material derived from post-treated municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ashes and 40 wt%of refractory clay were studied. The chemical analysis of the compositions was evaluated by ICP. The thermal and densification behavior of theceramic batches were evaluated by DTA-TG and dilatometry techniques, respectively. After that, the degree of sintering at different temperaturesand soaking times was evaluated in detail, measuring open and closed porosities, linear shrinkage and water absorption. The crystallinity at differenttemperatures (during heating and after cooling) and microstructure of the obtained samples were evaluated by high-temperature X-ray diffraction(HTXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. For these new ceramics, the experimental results highlighted sintering rangebetween 1190–1240 ◦C. In addition, the specimens demonstrated low water absorption and high crystallinity (with anorthite as main crystallinephase), leading to mechanical characteristics comparable to those of commercial ceramic products (bending strength > 40 MPa).
2012
- Procedimento per l'inertizzazione di rifiuti liquidi
[Brevetto]
Leonelli, Cristina; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Kamseu, Elie; Ponzoni, Chiara
abstract
Un procedimento per l’inertizzazione di rifiuti liquidi che comprende le fasi di:
- selezionare un rifiuto liquido contenente ioni di metalli pesanti in soluzione, sali solubili e sostanza organica;
- aggiungere a detto rifiuto liquido una polvere alluminosilicatica atta a geopolimerizzare;
- mescolare fino all’ottenimento di un impasto omogeneo;
e
- essiccare l’impasto ottenuto.
2012
- Valorization of MSWI bottom ash through ceramic glazing process: a new technology
[Articolo su rivista]
Schabbach, Luciana; Bolelli, Giovanni; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
-
2012
- WEEE: No waste anymore but secondary raw material
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Cannio, Maria; Giovanardi, Roberto; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pozzi, Paolo; Soragni, Ercole
abstract
The management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is a topic of great interest, now being an integral part of the Italian D.Lgs. 151/2005. In order to protract life cycle of this waste, composed by glass, polymers and metals, a great effort is done to develop separation, reclamation, recycling and recovery techniques. This study reports the results achieved on the characterization of different materials constituting TV sets and computers, low environmental impact techniques of extraction and recovery of precious metals from electronic circuitry and the use of glassy components as secondary raw material in the ceramic field instead of virgin compounds.
2011
- Geopolimeri come matrici inertizzanti
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
-
2011
- Glass-ceramic materials of system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 from rice husk ash
[Articolo su rivista]
M. I., Martìn; Rincòn, J. M. a.; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Bondioli, Federica; Lancellotti, Isabella; M., Romero
abstract
This wok shows the results of a valorisation study to use rice husk ash as raw material to develop glass-ceramic materials.An original glass has been formulated in the base system MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 with addition of B2O3 and Na2O to facilitate the melting and poring processes. Glass characterization was carried out by determining its chemical composition. Sintering behaviour has been examined by Hot Stage Microscopy (HSM). Thermal stability and crystallization mechanism have been studied by Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). Mineralogy analyses of the glass-ceramic materials were carried out using X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Results show that it is possible to use ash rice husk to produce glass-ceramic materials by a sintercrystallizationprocess, with nepheline (Na2O·Al2O3·SiO2) as major crystalline phase in the temperature interval 700-950ºC and forsterite (2MgO·SiO2) at temperatures above 950ºC.
2011
- Integrated approach to establish the sinter-cristallization ability of glasses from secondary raw materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Schabbach, Luciana; Andreola, Nora Maria; E., Karamanova; Lancellotti, Isabella; A., Karamanov; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
-
2011
- Minimization of Pb content in a ceramic glaze by reformulation the composition with secondary raw materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Schabbach, Luciana; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
In this study a commercial ceramic glaze composed by both olivine (magnesium iron silicate, (Mg,Fe)2SiO4) and commercial frits, rich in lead (about 30 wt%), was reformulated by using secondary raw materials (CRT cone glass and municipal solid incinerator post-treatment bottom ashes before and after vitrification). The waste-based products were characterized and, compared to the standard glaze, showed better acid resistance, comparable aesthetic characteristics and slightly lower stainless resistance. Environmental benefits were obtained by saving natural raw material (olivine), by reducing lead percentage in the proposed formulations (from around 30 to 5 wt%), by energy saving (for the avoided use of commercial frits) and by reducing lead content in the new compositions.
2011
- The Liquidus Temperature of Nuclear Waste Glasses;an International Round-Robin Study
[Articolo su rivista]
B., Riley; P., Hrma; J., Vienna; M., Schweiger; C., Rodriguez; J., Cum; J., Lang; J., Marra; F., Johnson; D., Peeler; Leonelli, Cristina; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; J. L., Dussossoy; R., Hand; J., Schofield; A., Connelly; R., Short; M., Harrison
abstract
Eight institutions from four countries participated in a round-robin study to determine the precision and bias of a liquidustemperature (TL) procedure for waste glasses being adopted by ASTM International as ASTM C 1720-11. The participantsof the round-robin study were asked to measure three different glasses with one or a combination of the following TLmeasurement methods: a gradient temperature (GT) method, a uniform temperature (UT) method, and/or a crystal fractionextrapolation (CF) method. The TL values reported by different institutions are generally consistent. The precision of TLmeasurements with each method was evaluated and is presented herein. The round-robin glasses were all previously studied atPacific Northwest National Laboratory and included ARG-1 (Glass A), Zr-9 (Glass B), and AmCm2-19 (Glass C), with measuredTL values spanning the temperature range of 960–1240°C. A precision (i.e., standard deviation) for TL has beenobtained from the data, even though the data were not acquired for all three glasses using all three methods from each participatingorganization. Also, the article provides a brief overview and the importance of the TL measurement.
2010
- A new environmentally friendly process for the recovery of gold from electronic waste
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Giovanardi, Roberto; Lancellotti, Isabella; Michelazzi, Marco
abstract
A new method for the recovery of preciousmetals, in particular gold, from electronic waste is proposed.This work focused on the research of an easilyrenewable etching agent, in order to make an environmentallyfriendly process possible. Two well knownhydrometallurgical etching agents, FeCl3 and CuCl2, wereevaluated in terms of efficiency and kinetics, testingsolutions with different concentration of etchant andhydrochloric acid. The recovery of spent etching solutionswas evaluated: promising results were found in the case ofCuCl2, which can be completely restored by oxidation ofthe cuprous chloride formed during the etching usingatmospheric oxygen.
2010
- Chemical and biological characterization of geopolymers for potential application as hard tissue prostheses
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Michelina, Catauro; Flavia, Bollino; Lancellotti, Isabella; Kamseu, Elie; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
In this study different geopolymers have been investigated and characterized as potential biomaterials. The work presents exhaustive FT-IR, SEM/EDS and X-ray diffraction studies of twogeopolymer formulations, where water content, water to solid content and curing conditions have been varied during mixing stage, maintaining constant the ratios among Na-Al-Si. The amorphous matrix is typical of sodium aluminosilicates, as shown by the FT-IR spectra. The presence of zeolitic phases has been observed by XRD at the surface of the material while the main matrix was characterized by amorphous aluminosilicate phases. The compressive strength of all the compositions was higher than 50 MPa. In order to study their bioactivity, samples of the studied materials were soaked in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The bioactivity of the synthesized geopolymers was shown by the formation of a layer of hydroxyapatite on the surface of thematerials by using the SEM.
2010
- Chemical stability of geopolymers containing municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Kamseu, Elie; Michelazzi, Marco; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Leonelli, Cristina
abstract
Municipal solid waste incinerators every year produce tons of fly ashes which, differently from coal fly ashes, contain large amounts of toxic substances (heavy metals, dioxins, furans). The stabilization/solidification (S/S) technology known as geopolymerization is proposed with the purpose to bond physicallyand chemically incinerator fly ashes (IFA) in a solid matrix, in order to reduce pollutant mobility. The chemical stability of geopolymers with Si/Al ratio of 1.8–1.9 and Na/Al ratio of 1.0, synthesized by alkali activation of metakaolin and the addition of 20 wt% of two different kinds of IFA, is presented. The concentration of the alkaline solution, water to solid ratio and curing process have been optimized. The room temperature consolidation of IFA containing geopolymers has been tested for leachability in water for 1 day, accordingly to EN 12457 regulation and extended to 7 days to increase the water attack on solid granules. Leachable metals in the test solution, determined by ICP_AES, fall within limit values set by regulation for non-dangerous waste landfill disposal. Geopolymeric matrix evolution with leaching time has been also evaluated in terms of pH and electrical conductivity increase in solution.
2010
- End of life-materials: WEEE glass recovery in construction sector
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
In this work was investigated the feasibility to use Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) glasses in construction sector as secondary raw material. WEEE glasses were used in different percentages as a function of the product obtained: 30-40wt% for glaze formulations, about 40wt% for glass-ceramics and 5wt% in brick bodies. The laboratory and industrial scale up results demonstrated that it is possible to produce a glazed tile with a glaze containing fluorescent lamps glass instead of commercial ceramic frits. Glass-ceramics composed by nepheline ((Na,K) AlSiO 4), akermanite (Ca 2Mg(Si 2O 7)) and celsian (BaAl 2Si 2O 8) were obtained at low temperature and short time (T = 900°C and t = 60 min) with panel glass as component. Besides, small amounts of panel glass were added in brick bodies because this glass is suitable as fluxing agent only at high temperatures; at brick manufacturing temperatures (around 1000°C), the glass viscosity does not enough contribute to the sintering process.
2010
- Inertizzazione di rifiuti industriali attraverso processi di geopolimerizzazione
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Michelazzi, Marco
abstract
L’incenerimento dei rifiuti solidi urbani (RSU) produce ogni anno tonnellate di ceneri leggere che, a differenza delle ceneri derivanti dalla combustione di carbone, contengono grandi quantità di sostanze tossiche come ad esempio i metalli pesanti. Una tecnica di solidificazione/stabilizzazione nota come geopolimerizzazione viene proposta con il fine di legare chimicamente e fisicamente le ceneri in una matrice solida, in modo da ridurre la mobilità degli inquinanti in esse contenuti. È quindi presentato uno studio della stabilità chimica di geopolimeri con un rapporto Si/Al di 1.8-1.9 e Na/Al di 1.0, sintetizzati per attivazione alcalina di metacaolino e aggiunta di ceneri da elettrofilro e filtro a maniche in concentrazione 20%. Il processo di consolidamento a temperatura ambiente è stato valutato attraverso test di cessione in acqua, come previsto dalla norma UNI 10802. Il rilascio di metalli, determinato tramite ICP-AES, ricade nei limiti imposti per legge per lo smaltimento in discarica per rifiuti non pericolosi.
2010
- New blended cement from polishing and glazing ceramic sludge
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; M. C., Bignozzi; F., Sandrolini
abstract
Waste generated in ceramic tiles manufacturing is not usually recycled inside the productive plant, but rather disposed to landfill. This paper deals with ceramic residues from polishing and glazing processes, as constituents for innovative blended cements. New binders made up of 75% CEM I 52.5 R and 25% residues were chemically, physically, and mechanically characterized with reference to EN 197-1 requirements and the results compared with ordinary Portland cement. Mechanicalstrength development and microstructure of the relevant mortar have been investigated up to 90 days of curing, and the behavior of polishing and glazing residues as cement constituents is reported.
2010
- New geopolymers based on electric arc furnace slag
[Capitolo/Saggio]
M. C., Bignozzi; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
-
2010
- New polypropylene/glass composites: effect of glass fibers from cathode ray tubes on thermal and mechanical properties
[Articolo su rivista]
Pozzi, Paolo; Taurino, Rosa; Zanasi, Tania; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
This study investigated the feasibility of using fibers obtained by the recycling of end life cathode ray tubes glasses (EOL-CRT glass) as new filler for polypropylene material. The effects of these new fiberson the mechanical properties of plastic composites were studied. Fracture surfaces were investigatedby scanning electron microscopy. Based on the findings of this work, it appears evident that these newfibers can be used instead of commercial glass fibers providing good mechanical and thermal properties.Moreover the matrix modification in the hybrid composite led to better mechanical performances.
2010
- Optimization of the heat-treatment regime of a sintered glass-ceramic from mswi bottom ash
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Karamanova, E.; Schabbach, L. M.; Ranguelov, B.; Avdeev, G.; Lancellotti, I.; Karamanov, A.
abstract
The aim of this work is the optimization of sinter-crystallization regime of a glassceramic from a municipal solid waste incineratior (MSWI) bottom ash. The parent waste was melted at 1400°C, milled below 75 μm and the obtained glass powders were pressed at 100 MPa. The optimal temperature for sinter-crystallization was estimated by DTA, dilatometry and XRD. Subsequently, the degrees of sintering, obtained at different heating rates (between 2 and 40°C/min) and 1 h step at 950°C were estimated by the linear shrinkage and water absorption. Using precise density measurements with gas pycnometer, the open and closed porosities in samples were also evaluated. The structure of glass-ceramics, obtained at low and high heating rates, were observed by SEM and compared. It was demonstrated that samples with no deformation, zero water soaking and good crystallinity can be obtained at high heating rate of 40°C/min. This gives a possibility to apply short and cost-effective heat-treatment regimes. © SGEM2010 All Rights Reserved by the International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM Published by STEF92 Technology Ltd.
2010
- Recovery of glazing ceramic sludge in construction materials
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
Ceramic glazing sludge deriving from the purification process of waste-water obtained by the glazing tile phase was mixed in equal proportion with glass cullet in order to obtain a high sintered product suitable to be used as floor/wall covering tiles. The characterization of fired samples includes the evaluation of both sintering parameters: water absorption, linear shrinkage and apparent density according to the ISO rules and sintering temperatures estimated by optical heating microscope. Satisfactory results were achieved from technological tests and SEM analysis showed a dense microstructure with crystalline phases similar to commercial glass-ceramic, identified by X ray diffraction. Besides, the obtainment of these products was achieved with energy saving due to the lower firing temperatures (about 1000°C) with respect to commercial products for floor/wall covering (about 1200°C).
2010
- Recycling electric arc furnace slag as unconventional component for building materials
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Bignozzi, M. C.; Sandrolini, F.; Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
In this work a complete characterization of electric arc furnace slag (EAF-S) coming from an Italian steel production plant has been carried out with the goal to study if this type of waste is suitable to be used as cement constituent or aggregate for cement based materials. Exploiting the different chemical composition and grain size distribution of two types of EAF-S produced in different steps of the same industrial plant, mortar samples were prepared containing EAF-S as sand (from 10 up to 100%) or 25 wt% ordinary Portland cement replacement, respectively. Chemical and physical results agree with the requirements prescribed for cement and aggregate by European standards. Moreover, the mechanical performances determined on mortar samples seem promising, although an active participation of EAF-S in the hardening process has not been detected.
2010
- Recycling of screen glass into new traditional ceramics materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; F., Bondioli; Lancellotti, Isabella; Miselli, Paola; Ferrari, Anna Maria
abstract
The Cleaned cathode ray tube (CRT) glass comes from the dismantling plant of TV and PC color kinescopes and has been used to completely replace both feldspathic and inert components of a traditional ceramic body. Panel glass has been added (up to 20 wt%) to a mixture of two commercial ball clays in order to obtain laboratory tiles sintered at 12101C. Densification has been studied according to ISO rules, while sinterability has been estimated by optical dilatometry. The samples obtained showed main properties similar to commercial ceramic floor and/or wall tiles.
2010
- The recycling of MSWI bottom ash in silicate based ceramic
[Articolo su rivista]
E., Rambaldi; L., Esposito; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; I., Vassura
abstract
-
2010
- Use of incinerator bottom ash for frit production
[Articolo su rivista]
G., Barberio; P., Buttol; P., Masoni; S., Scalbi; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
This article presents the results of an experimental activityaimed at investigating the technical feasibility and the environmentalperformance of using municipal solid waste incinerationbottom ash to produce glass frit for ceramic glaze (glazefrit). The process includes an industrial pretreatment of bottomash that renders the material suitable for use in glazefrit production and allows recovery of aluminum and iron.The environmental performance of this treatment option isassessed with the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology.The goal of the LCA study is to assess and compare the environmentalimpacts of two scenarios of end of life of bottomash from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI): landfilldisposal (conventional scenario) and bottom ash recovery forglaze frit production (innovative scenario). The main results ofthe laboratory tests, industrial simulations, and LCA study arepresented and discussed, and the environmental advantages of recycling versus landfill disposal are highlighted.
2009
- Analisi ambientale della gestione dei rifiuti con il metodo LCA
[Monografia/Trattato scientifico]
P., Neri; F., Falconi; G., Olivieri; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pozzi, Paolo; M., Cervino; R., Gallimbeni
abstract
www.lcarifiuti.net - Questo sito ospita una pubblicazione in linea dedicata all'analisi ambientale della gestione dei rifiuti con il metodo LCA. Ha l’obiettivo di fornire gli strumenti principali per uno studio di analisi del ciclo di vita (Life Cycle Assessment - LCA) del processo di gestione dei rifiuti: una Introduzione, le linee guida per l’applicazione del metodo LCA, una raccolta di processi creati per i casi studio, le sintesi di molti degli studi effettuati. Nella pubblicazione sono presenti inoltre una breve descrizione del metodo LCA e dei Metodi per la valutazione del danno, una proposta di uso dei processi di riciclo e di incenerimento come processi generatori di coprodotti (processo multi-output), una Bibliografia e un Glossario.
2009
- Processing fly ash from coal burning power station in a variable radiofrequency field
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.; Andreola, F.; Cotradi, A.; Leonelli, C.; La Robina, M.
abstract
Experiments with fly ash obtained from a coal-burning power station in NSW, Australia, were conducted in the cold crucible facility at ANSTO using a 30kW variable frequency generator. The generator was configured as a standard Hartley oscillator with the tank capacitor able to vary from 110 pF to 4100 pF giving a frequency span of 5MHz to 18MHz. The applicator consisted of a coil with a water cooled base and top plate that formed an LC resonant cavity, which coupled to the RF generator by a single turn coil. A dark glass, confined inside the applicator, was formed by applying a high frequency electromagnetic field between two copper plates through a sample of fly ash. The temperatures reached were in excess of 1000 °C causing the powder to fuse into glass in a very brief period of a few minutes. The purpose of this experiment was to verify if dielectric and/or induction heating could melt the fly ash in a more rapid manner than conventional (resistive/joule) heating.
2009
- Sintering and crystallization behavior of CaMgSi2O6-NaFeSi2O6 based glass-ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
A., Goel; Ferrari, Anna Maria; I., Kansal; M. J., Pascual; Barbieri, Luisa; F., Bondioli; Lancellotti, Isabella; M. J., Ribeiro; J. M. F., Ferriera
abstract
We report on the synthesis, sintering, and crystallization behaviors of a glass with a compositioncorresponding to 90 mol % CaMgSi2O6−10 mol % NaFeSi2O6. The investigated glasscomposition crystallized superficially immediately after casting of the melt and needs a high coolingrate _rapid quenching_ in order to produce an amorphous glass. Differential thermal analysis andhot-stage microscopy were employed to investigate the glass forming ability, sintering behavior,relative nucleation rate, and crystallization behavior of the glass composition. The crystalline phaseassemblage in the glass-ceramics was studied under nonisothermal heating conditions in thetemperature range of 850–950 °C in both air and N2 atmosphere. X-ray diffraction studies adjoinedwith the Rietveld–reference intensity ratio method were employed to quantify the amount ofcrystalline phases, while electron microscopy was used to shed some light on the microstructure ofthe resultant glass-ceramics. Well sintered glass-ceramics with diopside as the primary crystallinephase were obtained where the amount of diopside varied with the heating conditions.
2009
- Thermal treatments for the recovery of value added materials
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
The techniques able to incorporate wastes can be divided between cold and hot techniques. In the first group falls stabilization/solidification by both inorganic (cement, lime, clay) and organic (thermoplastic materials, macroencapsulating compounds, asphalts, polymers) reagents. The second group comprises vitrification, devitrification, and sintering. Thermal treatments, which might speed up by the use of electromagnetic irradiation, present the advantage to fix the residue with chemical bonds, changing the microstructure or morphology from hazardous to harmless.
2009
- WEEE Problems and Perspectives: The Case of Glass Recovery in the Ceramic Industry
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
-
2008
- High temperature techniques for chemical incorporation of wastes aimed to the obtainment of re-products
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, I.; Morselli, L.; Passarini, F.; Vassura, I.
abstract
The techniques able to incorporate wastes by means of a heat treatment present the advantage to fix the residue with chemical bonds. Among these techniques there are vitrification and sintering which are characterised by different operating temperatures in the range of 950-1500°C and the involved raw materials develop silicatic crystalline phases and glassy matrices capable to immobilize heavy metal contents in the waste matrix. In this work incinerator bottom ash, polishing and glazing ceramic sludges have undergone to thermal treatments in order to valorise the waste as secondary raw material for the obtainment of re-products. The chemical efficiency of the process adopted has been evaluated by comparing the results of release tests applied to the as-received wastes and to the thermally treated materials in order to verify the effectiveness of the different matrices to fix the waste components.
2008
- New Clay Based Ceramics Using Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Glass as Secondary Raw Material
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; F., Bondioli; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Miselli, Paola
abstract
Cleaned panel glass was added in different percentages (5-20 wt%) to a mixture of two commercial ball clays in order to formulate new clay based ceramics replacing completely both fluxing and inert components of a traditional ceramic body. The samples obtained in laboratory were fired in industrial cycle (Tmax 1200oC for 40 min). The samples obtained were characterized from densification, microstructural, mechanical and aesthetical point of view. From the results achieved samples tiles, containing up to 15 wt% of panel glass, could be classified into BIa group (WA<0.5%) (UNI EN 14411 all.G) corresponding to impervious tiles used mainly for floor or wall covering.
2008
- Recovery of precious metals from electronic scraps
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Giovanardi, Roberto; Lancellotti, Isabella; Soragni, Ercole
abstract
Recovery of precious metals (PMs) is a present topic, as they are used almost in every electronicelectric device. Gold is the second PM in order of consumption (following silver) and it is almost ubiquitary in electronics where it mainly finds application to produce bonding wires in integrated circuits and as a coating for contacts and connectors. Given this, discontinued electronic and, with a minor role, electric devices may represent a primary source of PMs as gold mines or jewelery wastes. At present the recovery of gold from such waste is generally accomplished by two strategies: by oxidative thermal treatment followed by metallurgical or chemical processes or by cyanide chemical etching; both techniques do not represent the optimum as the first one deserves a great amount of energy and non-combustible pollutant slag and fumes are produced, while the second procedure comports the use of a highly pollutant agent as cyanide. The aim of this work is the characterization of different electronics scraps to evaluate the gold concentration, and the selective recovery of this metal using enviromentally-friendly techniques. In particular, a new process was developed in order to overcome such environmental and efficiency issues. The process reaches the goal of detach the gold film from the substrate by selective leaching of the supporting metal.
2008
- Recycling of CRT panel glass as fluxing agent in the porcelain stoneware tile production
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; E., Karamanova; Lancellotti, Isabella; M., Pelino
abstract
In the present work, the feasibility to substitute feldspar raw material in a porcelain stoneware body with Panel Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glasswas investigated. A standard batch and a composition, where 35 wt.% Na-feldspar was substituted by CRT glass, were sintered at differenttemperatures in the range of 1000–1250 8C. The degree of the densification was studied by evaluation of the closed and total porosity, while thesintering rate was estimated by non-isothermal dilatometric measures. The variation of the crystalline phase composition was evaluated by XRDanalysis. From the preliminary study other ceramic samples with different percentages of CRT glass (i.e. 2.5, 5 and 10 wt.%) were prepared andfired in industrial kiln. The sintering parameters, the microstructure and the mechanical properties were measured and compared with the standardcomposition.
2008
- Reuse of incinerator bottom and fly ashes to obtain glassy materials
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Hreglich, S; Lancellotti, Isabella; Morselli, L; Passarini, F; Vassura, I.
abstract
Bottom and fly ashes coming from the urban wastes incineration represent a by-product nowadays landfilled. By mixing different amount of these residues with others inert materials, such as glass cullet and feldspar waste, two vitrifiable mixtures are tailored. Glasses, obtained by means of vitrification process, are chemically stable with low leachability of contaminants and show comparable properties to those of commercial soda lime glasses. Moreover, from the thermal and mechanical characterization the tendency of these glasses to crystallise, for their transformation into glass-ceramic materials, has been evidenced.
2008
- Structure, chemical durability and crystallization behavior of incinerator-based glassy systems
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; A., Karamanov; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; M., Pelino; J., MA RINCON
abstract
Vitrification by melting is being proposed as a convenient method to solidify different kind of silicate and other oxide-based inorganic wastes. Incinerator bottom and fly ashes have been mixed with glass cullet, feldspar and clay by-products as melting fluxing agents. Washing, drying and grinding pre-treatment followed by melting at 1450°C lead to the formation of glasses and glass-ceramics, depending on the starting materials composition and thermal treatment. The obtained glasses have been studied by SEM, chemical durability tests in aqueous and alkaline environment, leaching test (UNI 10802) and by differential thermal analysis. The glass-ceramics morphology was investigated by XRD and SEM. The results were explained by the structure of the glasses caused by the presence of different amount of modifiers in the glassy lattice. The obtained glasses show good chemical resistance, in particular in alkaline environment and thermal characterisation highlighted that the materials are also suitable to obtain glass-ceramics.
2008
- Synthesis of chromium containing pigments from chromium galvanic sludges
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; F., Bondioli; Cannio, Maria; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
In this work the screening results of the scientific activity conducted on laboratory scale to valorise chromium (III) contained in the galvanic sludge as chromium precursor for ceramic pigments are reported. The valorisation of this waste as a secondary raw material (SRM) is obtained by achievement of thermal and chemical stable crystal structures able to colour ceramic material. Two different pigments pink CaCr0.04Sn0.97SiO5 and green Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3 were synthesized by solid-state reactions using dried Cr sludge as chromium oxide precursor. The obtained pigments were characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis. Furhermore the color developed in a suitable ceramic glaze was investigated in comparison with the color developed by the pigments prepared from pure Cr2O3. The characterization carried out corroborates the thermal and chemical stability of the synthesized pigments and, especially for the Cr-Sn pink pigment, the powders develop an intense color that is very similar to the color developed by the pigments obtained starting from pure Cr2O3.
2007
- ANALISI LCA DEL QUARZO VENTILATO
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; F., Bondioli; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; P., Neri
abstract
-
2007
- CRT glass state of the art. A case study: Recycling in ceramic glazes
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
The management of electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) is a significant problem of industrialized countries, in the last decades it has been noticed an appreciable increase of this residue, consisting of about 80% of television sets and cornputers containing end of life (EOL) cathode ray tubes (CRT). Specific technologies permit to dismantle the kinescope, obtaining different glasses with high quality level and specific chemical compositions. The presence of dangerous elements makes critical the re-use in many fields of application. The present work proposes the feasibility of CRT glass recycling in ceramic field using it into a base glaze formulation as substitute of ceramic frits. The study was conducted in two phases, laboratory scale in order to study the suitable glaze formulation and semi-industrial scale with the technological support of an Italian ceramic glaze producer. The glazes obtained have aesthetic and mechanical properties extremely similar to the standard ones. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2007
- Recycling of EOL CRT glass into ceramic glaze formulations and its environmental impact by LCA approach
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; P., Neri
abstract
AbstractBackground, Aims and Scope The interest in recycling materials at the end of their life is growing in the industry in general. As regards the Wastes of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), an appreciable increase of these materials has been noticed in the last decades, 117 · 103 tons of WEEE have been produced in Italy in 2002 according to Ecohitech [1] and the increase in this kind of waste is three times higher than that of the municipal waste according to the FISE ASSOAMBIENTE report [2]. Within WEEE, End-of-Life Cathode Ray Tube (EOL CRT) glass, the main part of TV sets and PC monitors, is here analysed using both a technical approach to establish a possible reuse of the glass in a open-loop recycling field (ceramic industry) and a methodology (LCA) capable of providing environmental evaluations. Methods The technological characterization was performed by chemical resistance tests (UNI EN ISO 10545-13), staining tests (UNI EN ISO 10545-14) with blue methylene and potassium permanganate (KMnO4), and surface abrasion tests (UNI EN ISO 10545-7). The LCA study was conducted using the SimaPro 5.0 software and Eco-Indicator 99 as an evaluation method. Results and Discussion The good technical results, reached by using cleaned EOL CRT panel glass inside a ceramic glaze formulation instead of a commercial frit, are supported by the environmental impact evaluation, which shows a decrease of the overall potential damage (measured in Points) of 36% and, in particular, a reduction of 53% in ‘Human health’, 31% in ‘Eco-system quality’ and 24% in ‘Resources’. Conclusions This study has demonstrated that this new, open-loop recycling strategy for the CRT glass significantly reduces the environmental impact of the ceramic glaze production process. In fact, in all damage categories examined in this study, there is a minor impact. An improvement is evident in the respiratory inorganics sub-category related to the lowering of dusts mainly and to a lesser amount with NOx and SOx in the climate change sub-category, due mainly to the reduction of CO2 emission correlated to the avoided combustion of the mixture which feeds melting furnaces in the frit production. Thus, the damage decrease in ‘Ecosystem quality’ is prevalently due to the lower NOx emissions by the kilns in the frit production that is evident in the acidification/eutrophication sub-category. Finally, the significant saving in the ‘Resource’ category is principally linked to the fossil fuels sub-category, thanks to the methane saving which stokes the melting furnaces. Perspectives Furthermore, the decrease in CO2 emission (94.4%) evident in the climate change sub-category is a very important topic because it is in line with the Kyoto protocol (1997), where significant efforts have been exerted for the reduction of the green house gases emission, notably CO2. The CO2 emission is correlated to the combustion of the mixture which feeds melting kilns in the frit production, therefore the recycling of secondary raw materials, already in a glass state, can reduce the emissions of this gas. This reduction can be termed as environmental credit and it is an example of an allocation of environmental loads in a open-loop recycling, where waste from one industrial system are used as raw materials in another product system.
2007
- Recycling of crt waste glass in porcelain stoneware production
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Karamanova, E.; Andreola, F.; Lancellotti, I.; Barbieri, L.; Karamanov, A.
abstract
The feasibility to substitute feldspar raw materials in a porcelain stoneware body with waste Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) glass was investigated. Various compositions, containing different percentages of feldspars and CRT glass, were compared. The densification process was studied by non-isothermal dilatometry and the degree of sintering was evaluated by pycnometric techniques. The structure and phase composition of the final ceramics were studied by SEM and XRD, respectively. The technological parameters and the mechanical properties were also measured and compared with a standard plant composition. It was highlighted that the addition of low viscous CRT glass gives a possibility to reduce the total amount of fluxes in the batch and to decrease the cost. Ceramics with characteristics, similar to the plan composition, were obtained by replacement of 5-14 % feldspars with 5-10 % CRT glass.
2006
- MICROWAVE THERMAL INERTISATION OF ASBESTOS CONTAINING WASTE AND ITS RECYCLING IN TRADITIONAL CERAMICS
[Articolo su rivista]
Leonelli, Cristina; Veronesi, Paolo; Boccaccini, Dino Norberto; Rivasi, Maria Rosa; Barbieri, Luisa; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Rabitti, Daniela; Pellacani, Gian Carlo
abstract
Asbestos was widely used as a building material prior to the 1970´s. It is well known that asbestos is a health hazard and its progressive elimination is a priority for pollution prevention. Asbestos can be transformed to non-hazardous silicate phases by microwave thermal treatment. The aim of this investigation is to describe the microwave inertization process of asbestos containing waste (ACW) and its recycling in porcelain stoneware tiles, porous single-fired wall tiles and ceramic bricks following industrial manufacture procedure. Inertised asbestos powder was added in the percentages of 1, 3, and 5 wt.% to commercially available compositions and then fired following industrial thermal cycles. Water absorption and linear shrinkage of the obtained industrial products do not present significant variations with additions up to 5 wt.% of microwave inertised ACW.
2006
- Physical-chemical characterization of a galvanic sludge and its inertization by vitrification using container glass
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Cannio, M.; Lancellotti, I.; Siligardi, C.; Soragni, E.
abstract
Several industrial processes produce large amounts of heavy metals-rich wastes, which could be considered as "trash-can raw materials". The incorporation in ceramic systems can be regarded as a key process to permanently incorporate hazardous heavy metals in stable matrixes. In particular the aim of this work is to prepare and evaluate environmental risk assessment of coloured glass and glass-ceramic with the addition of chromium(III) galvanic sludge having a high content of Cr2O3 (15.91 wt%). Trivalent chromium compounds generally have low toxicity while hexavalent chromium is recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and by the US Toxicology Program as a pulmonary carcinogen. The sludge has been characterized by ICP -AES chemical analysis, powder XRD diffraction, DTA, SEM, leaching test after different thermal treatments ranging from 400°C to 1200°C. Batch compositions were prepared by mixing this sludge with glass containers. The glass container composition is rich in SiO2 (69.89 wt%), Na 2O (12.32 wt%) and CaO (11.03 wt%), while the sludge has a high amount of CaO (42.90 wt%) and Cr2O3 (15.91 wt%). The vitrification was carried out at 1450°C in an electrical melting furnace for 2 h followed by quenching in water or on graphite mould. Chromium incorporation mechanisms, vitrification processability, effect of initial Cr oxidation state, and product performance were investigated. In particular toxic characterization by leaching procedure and chemical durability studies of the glasses and glass-ceramics were used to evaluate the leaching of heavy metals (in particular of Cr). The results indicate that all the glasses obtained were inert and the heavy metals were immobilized.
2006
- RF thermal plasma treatment of waste glass and its reutilization in composite materials
[Articolo su rivista]
V., Colombo; E., Ghedini; G., Masini; D., Russo; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Belviso, Daniela; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pozzi, Paolo
abstract
Fluorescent lamps glass powders are sieved in two particle size ranges and are subjected to thermal plasma in-flight treatment by injection into the discharge of a Tekna PL-35 plasma torch and reaction chamber as part of a source operated at 3MHz with a maximum power of 25kW, with Ar as plasma and carrier gas and N2 as sheath gas. The sieved powders and the plasma treated ones have been characterized by powder XRD and particle size analysis in order to verify if the plasma treatment can induce modification in the mineralogical and physical characteristics. The spherical shape of the particles have been analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, this technique has allowed to verify if the plasma treatment can induce modification of the (qualitative) chemical composition of the powder. Results for various operating conditions and injection probe positions are presented. The spherical powders have been then introduced in thermoplastic polymer (polypropylene) in place of glass spheres usually used, and the results are compared to each others. The samples are characterized by mechanical tests (flexural strength) and microstructural analysis (SEM) in order to verify the differences in materials properties obtainable by mean of conventional and plasma assisted processes.
2006
- Sintered sanidine glass-ceramics from industrial wastes
[Articolo su rivista]
E., Bernardo; R., Castellan; S., Hreglich; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Glass obtained from melting a mixture of industrial wastes (panel glass from dismantled cathode ray tubes, mining residues from feldspar excavation and lime from fume abatement systems of the glass industry) has been employed for the production of sanidine-based glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics were developed by a sintering treatment with concurrent crystallization, from fine powders (< 37 micron), at a relatively low temperature (880 degrees C). The enhanced nucleating activity of glass surfaces likely promoted the formation of sanidine, hardly found in glass-ceramics, as the main crystal phase. Due to the achieved mechanical properties (bending strength of about 120 MPa, Vickers' microhardness exceeding 7 GPa) and aesthetic appearance, resulting from a compact and homogeneous microstructure, the obtained sanidine glass-ceramics may find applications as construction materials. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2005
- Cathode ray tube glass recycling: an example of clean technology
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
In this study the use of 'cleaned' end of life (EOL) cathode ray tube (CRT) glass as a raw material in ceramic glazes is described. At present, the recycling and industrial utilization of CRT, a glass material from TV and computer sets, is a subject of intense research with particular regard to the so-called open-loop recycling, namely cycles different from that of the origin. However, the use of CRT glass as a secondary raw material is strictly related to the demand of high-quality raw material. The good preliminary results reached by introducing clean TV and PC monitor panel and cone glass into ceramic glaze formulations pushed research toward the setting-up of a base glaze that is exploitable for the production of pigmented, silk-screened and flame-hardened glazes (products used industrially for coating floor tiles). The aesthetic and chemical characterization of the tiles glazed by this product showed an extremely similar behaviour to originals that did not contain CRT glass. The good technical results achieved have been supported by the life cycle assessment analysis, which has demonstrated a reduction of the environmental impact of the CRT glass-containing ceramic glaze with respect to the standard one.
2005
- Glass-ceramics obtained by the recycling of end of life cathode ray tubes glasses
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; R., Falcone; S., Hreglich
abstract
This work is concerned with open-loop recycling of end of life Cathode Ray Tubes glass (an unsolved problem when considering that in Europe almost 90% of EOL electronic goods is disposed of in landfills), focusing on the development of glass-ceramics from panel or funnel glass with dolomite and alumina, and the evaluation of the tendency towards crystallisation with particular attention on composition and thermal treatment. Glasses were melted at a temperature of about 1500 degrees C and transformed into glass-ceramics by different thermal treatments (900 degrees C to similar to 1100 degrees C temperature range and 0.5 to similar to 8 h soaking time). By using the evaluation of thermal, mineralogical and microstructural data it has been pointed out that a good degree of crystallisation is reached at about 1000 degrees C and with a high proportion of waste glass (50-75%) if 40-45% of CaO and MgO bearer (dolomite) is introduced. In this way alkaline and alkaline-earth silicate and aluminosilicate mainly develop probably with a surface mechanism.
2005
- Influence of the pozzolanic fraction obtained from vitrified bottom-ashes from MSWI on the properties of cementitious composites
[Articolo su rivista]
A., Saccani; F., Sandrolini; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ashes (MSWI BA) have been submitted to a thermal treatment leading to their complete vitrification. The composition and the pozzolanic activity of the vitrified, grounded bottom ashes is evaluated, as far as the mechanical and microstructural properties of mortars containing up to 30 wt. % of this fraction (on cement weight), as a replacement of the hydraulic binder. At sufficiently long curing times, modified composites exhibit higher mechanical strengths and lower porosity than those of the unmodified ones. The same mortars show lower permeation to chlorides and sulphates and the tendency to depress the expansion generated by alkali-silica reactions (ASR). 1359-5997 © 2004 RILEM. All rights reserved.
2005
- Recycling industrial waste in brick manufacture. Part 1
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pozzi, Paolo
abstract
The ongoing accumulation of industrial waste speaks to the need to seek cost-effective disposal methods. Brick manufacture would appear to be particularly promising in this regard. The present study analyzes the possibility of recycling the sludge generated in porcelain tile polishing, as well as coal, steel and municipal incinerator ash to make a special type of facing brick whose properties readily accommodate a full analysis of all the problems deriving from the incorporation of residue in its manufacture. Physical-chemical, mechanical and structural analyses were performed on bricks made with varying percentages of the different types of waste considered. This first paper reports the results of the physical and technological characterization of the products; the second part of the research will address their chemical, mechanical and structural properties.
2005
- Reutilization of waste inert glass from the disposal of polluted dredging spoils by the obtainment of ceramic products for tiles applications
[Articolo su rivista]
G., Brusatin; E., Bernardo; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; S., Hreglich
abstract
The vitrification treatment has been successfully exploited as a solution for the disposal of polluted dredging spoils from the industrial area close to the Venice Lagoon. The addition of 20% by wt. of glass cullet to the calcined sediments in the vitrification batch provides a suitable chemical composition for the production of an inert glass, despite the compositional variations of the sediments. The obtained waste glass, after being finely ground, has been employed (i) as a raw material for the manufacture of sintered glass-ceramics, by cold pressing and single-step sintering at about 940 degrees C, and (ii) as sintering additive (the maximum addition being 10% by wt.) for the manufacture of traditional red single firing ceramic tiles, with a maximum firing temperature of 1186 degrees C. Both applications have proved to be promising: in the first case, the sintered glass ceramic product exhibits notable mechanical properties (bending strength > 130 MPa, HV approximate to 6.5 GPa); in the second case, the addition of waste glass does not modify substantially the investigated physical and mechanical properties of the traditional product (water absorption, linear shrinkage, bending strength, planarity).
2005
- Sintered glass-ceramics and glass-ceramic matrix composites from CRT panel glass
[Articolo su rivista]
E., Bernardo; Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Sintering with simultaneous crystallization of powdered glass represents an interesting processing route for glass-ceramics, especially originating from wastes. Highly dense glass-ceramic samples may be obtained from a simple and short treatment at a relatively low temperature. In addition, glass-ceramic matrix composites may be obtained by mixing glass with suitable reinforcements. In this work sintered nepheline glass-ceramics, based on panel glass from cathode ray tubes, are illustrated. A limited addition of Al2O3 platelets caused a significant improvement in the mechanical properties (elastic modulus, bending strength, microhardness, fracture toughness), already remarkable for the un-reinforced glass-ceramic, compared with traditional nepheline glass-ceramics.
2005
- Sintered glass-ceramics from end of life cathode ray tubes glass
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, F.; Barbieri, L.; Corradi, A.; Lancellotti, I.
abstract
The recycling of end of life cathode Ray Tubes from TV sets and PC monitors is still an unsolved problem. This study presents the feasibility results of the panel glass recycling glass from end of life TV sets as secondary raw material in glass-ceramic productions. The sintering and crystallization processes of the glass-ceramics resulting from the mixing of 50wt% glass with different percentages of dolomite and alumina was studied. The crystallization and densification processes were examined by DTA, XRD and SEM techniques and by linear shrinkage, density and water-absorption studies. The influences of heat treatment temperature was analysed. The best glass-ceramics consolidation and densification was obtained at 900°C for the lower rate alumina composition. The crystallisation begins near 900°C in grain surfaces and expands in the bulk with increasing temperature (1000°C). These glass-ceramics are composed of nepheline, akermanite and celsian, crystalline phases present also in commercial glass-ceramics such as Pyroceram and responsible of high mechanical strength.
2005
- The anorthite-diopside system: Structural and devitrification study. Part II: Crystallinity analysis by the Rietveld-RIR method
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Bondioli, Federica; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Montorsi, Monia; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Miselli, Paola
abstract
Abstract:The crystallization behavior of 10 binary glasses belonging to the CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 quaternary system and two glasses corresponding to anorthite and diopside composition was investigated by X-ray diffraction, thermal, and thermomechanical analyses, and scanning electron microscopy. Particular emphasis is laid on the quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis by the Rietveld–reference intensity ratio combined procedure, which seems to be a useful tool to obtain time–temperature–transformation diagrams. Results showed that to obtain glass–ceramics with a significant crystalline phase presence, it is necessary to treat samples at 1000°C for 4 h or at 1100°C for 1 h.
2005
- The anorthite-diopside system: structural and devitrification study. Part I: structural characterization by molecular dynamic simulations
[Articolo su rivista]
Bonamartini Corradi, A.; F., Bondioli; Cannillo, Valeria; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
Molecular dynamic simulations of glasses belonging to the anorthite-diopside system have been performed in order to obtain an atomistic description of the material's structure. The structural parameters obtained by the simulations allow to confirm that the glass materials are characterized by a very similar short-range environment. The main differences have been observed in the intermediate-range order of the structure that describe the distribution and the packing of the tetrahedra constituting the three-dimensional networks. It is shown that the glass materials with composition close to the two extremes, corresponding to the pure glass anorthite or pure glass diopside, display the typical structural features of the tectosilicates and inosilicates subclass of minerals, respectively, to which anorthite and diopside crystals belong.
2004
- Experimental and computer simulation study of glasses belonging to diopside-anorthite system
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
The glasses belonging to the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 quaternary system are materials largely used in industrial applications by virtue of their melting and devitrifible properties. A systematic study of several compositions falling in the anorthite (CaO-Al(2)O(3)2SiO(2))-diopside (CaO-MgO-2SiO(2)) system has been carried out by means of thermal and physical measurements in order to obtain the relationships between the structure and the properties of the glasses. The experimental evidence has been compared to molecular dynamic simulation results. Attention has been devoted to the definition of the structural role in the glass formulation played by Al3+ and Mg2+ which can behave as network formers or modifiers depending on their coordination number in the structure.
2004
- Incinerator waste as secondary raw material: examples of applications in glasses, glass-ceramics and ceramics
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Actually, the recovery and valorisation of the solid residues (bottom and fly ash) coming from municipal solid wastes incineration represent very important goals from the environmental and economical point of view. Some technologies capable not only to reduce the volume of incinerator waste, but also to obtain products with an added value are vitrification, devitrification and ceramic process. Bottom ash is preferable with respect to fly ash in order to be used as secondary raw material. The first, mixed together with glass cullet, can be easily transformed into homogeneous and inert glasses, workable in the shape of fibres or bulk and sintered glass-ceramics after controlled thermal treatments. Another possibility presented in this review is the obtainment of tiles (in particular glazed tiles containing vitrified bottom ash into the ceramic body) and a feasibility study to obtain bricks.The results presented in this review are promising and in accordance with the wastes minimization policy as well as resources conservation.
2004
- New marketable products from inorganic residues
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Ash from the incineration of municipal solid residues and from thermal power stations appear to be easily transformed to new marketable products, including glasses, glass ceramics and ceramics. Steel fly ash however presents many diificulties for insertion as a fundamental constituent into these products.
2004
- Smalti per piastrelle dal vetro di TV e monitor
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; M., Garzoni; E., Guidetti; Lancellotti, Isabella; A., Medici; Rabitti, Daniela; A., Sansone
abstract
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2004
- “Polveri da trattamento fumi di industria siderurgica: esperienze di inertizzazione e di valorizzazione”
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, L.; Lancellotti, Isabella; Poli, Giorgio
abstract
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2003
- POSSIBILITÀ DI RICICLO DI VETRO DA CINESCOPI DISMESSI PER L’OTTENIMENTO DI VETRO-CERAMICI
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; R., Falcone; S., Hreglich
abstract
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2003
- Sintering and crystallization behaviour of glass frits made from silicate wastes
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Pellacani, Gian Carlo; A. R., Boccaccini
abstract
Sintering and crystallisation of glass powders obtained front vitrified silicate residues are investigated. The residues considered were ashes derived from the combustion of municipal wastes, glass cullet and feldspar waste, which were mixed in different proportions to result in SiO2 contents >46 wt%. By means of shrinkage measurements using heating microscopy, sintering was found to start at about 750degreesC for all mixtures investigated and to be completed in a very short temperature interval of between 100 and 150degreesC, depending on the composition. Crystallisation took place during the final sintering stage. By means of particle size analysis, linear shrinkage, water absorption and density measurements coupled with x-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy, it was found that dense glass ceramic materials can be obtained from powders of average particle size <45 mum. The incinerator fly ash appears to be more suitable than incinerator grate ash for obtaining dense glass ceramics by the powder route developed here.
2003
- The effect of ZrO2 in 30K2O-70SiO2 glass: a comparison with 30Li2O-70SiO2
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Siligardi, Cristina
abstract
The influence of the introduction of ZrO2 in concentrations of up to 5 mol% into a 30K(2)O-70SiO(2) base glass composition has been investigated with the aid of differential thermal analysis (DTA), FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as chemical durability tests (pH, conductivity and AES-Inductively Coupled Plasma measurements) and refraction index determination. Several differences have been found by comparison with similar compositions belonging to the Li2OZrO2SiO2 system. The higher ionic radius and the lower field strength of K+ with respect to Li+ is responsible for higher stability towards crystallisation and lower chemical durability. Moreover, even though Zr4+ increases glass polymerisation (higher glass transition temperature, chemical durability and refraction index), the presence of high water content as highlighted by spectroscopy measurements, seems to weaken the glass structure.
2002
- ADDITIVE PROPERTIES IN CAO-MGO-AL2O3-SIO2 GLASSES BELONGING TO DIOPSIDE-ANORTHITE PHASE DIAGRAM
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Siligardi, Cristina
abstract
A systematic study of 10 glasses belonging to the system diopside-anorthite has been carried out. An interpretation of the structure of theese glasses has been sought by means of thermal, thermophysical and physical measurements.
2002
- CORRELATION BETWEEN STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES IN NEW GLASSES CONTAINING ZrO2
[Articolo su rivista]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Montorsi, Monia; Pellacani, Gian Carlo; Siligardi, Cristina; C., Meneghini
abstract
In this work several complementary techniques have been employed to carefully characterise the structure of CaO–ZrO2–SiO2 glasses as a function of Zr content. The research started from the basic binary system 40CaO.60SiO2 (wt%) to which 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% ZrO2 has been added.Chemical and physical characterisation has been performed using classical techniques such as thermal analyses (differential thermal analysis and dilatometery) and water chemical resistance. Deeper insight on the intimate structure of the glasses has been achieved through molecular dynamics simulations and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. All results have been combined in order to accurately describe the role played by the different oxides in determining the properties of the glass. Particular carehas been devoted to the role of zirconia.
2002
- GLASS FORMATION AND DEVITRIFICATION IN THE K2O-ZRO2-SIO2 SYSTEM
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Pellacani, Gian Carlo; Siligardi, Cristina
abstract
The influence of the introduction of ZrO2 up to 5 mol% into a 30K2O-70SiO2 base glass composition has been investigated with the aid of differential thermal analysis (DTA), FT-IR spectroscopy, as well as chemical durability tests (pH, conductivity and AES-Inductively Coupled Plasma measurements) and refraction index determination. Several differences have been carried out by comparison with similar compositions belonging to the Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2 system. The higher ionic radius and the lower field strength of K+ with respect to Li+ are responsible for higher stability towards crystallisation and lower chemical durability. Moreover, even though Zr4+ increases glass polymerisation (higher glass transition temperature, chemical durability and refraction index), the presence of high water content as highlighted by spectroscopy measurements, seams to weaken glass structure.
2002
- Glass formation and devitrification in the K2O-ZrO2-SiO2 system
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Siligardi, Cristina; C., Tomasi; P., Mustarelli; Pellacani, Gian Carlo
abstract
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2002
- Nucleation and crystal growth of a MgO-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass with added steel fly ash
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; A. P., NOVAES DE OLIVEIRA; O. E., Alarcon
abstract
The nucleation and growth of diopside Ca(Mg,Al)(Si,Al)(2)O-6 crystals on the free surface of a 24 wt% MgO, 14 wt% CaO, 9 wt% Al2O3, and 53 wt% SiO2 glass, with a 2 wt% addition of steel fly ash, were investigated through DTA, XRD, SEM, and optical microscopy. Crystallization was complete at similar to920degreesC with an activation energy of 589 kJ/mol. Samples with polished free surfaces were nucleated at selected temperatures in the range of 730degrees to 820degreesC, and then heat-treated at 870degreesC for 15 min for crystal growth. Nucleation was predominantly observed at the surface, and the number of diopside crystals per unit of area and the mechanism of crystallization were determined. It was concluded that nucleation reaches a maximum at 750degreesC, corresponding to an average density of diopside crystals or 8.4 X 10(6) nuclei/cm(2), and that between 900degrees and 1100degreesC, a uniformly crystallized layer is formed at an exponential rate. The crystallized volume fraction increased significantly in the 880degrees-890degreesC growth range, and remained almost constant at higher temperatures. In the 860degrees-910degreesC range. the size of the diopside crystals formed in the samples nucleated at the temperature of the maximum nucleation rate. and linearly increased, reaching values between 1.0 and 3.0 mum at 870degrees and at 910degreesC, respectively.
2002
- Recycling of the waste waters into porcelainized stoneware ceramic tiles: effect on the rheological, thermal and aesthetical properties
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano
abstract
The importance of the porcelainized stoneware production, this product reached the 36% (218.106 m2) of the total Italian production in the last year, and the impossibility to reuse both the ceramic residues and the process waste waters with the similar practice developed previously for the other typologies have brought to find new solutions to applied at this kind of wastes. The aim of the work is to evaluate the possibility to recycle waste waters, deriving from different technological ceramic cycles, inside the porcelainized stoneware body. The use of these waters does not change the parameters of the productive cycle, obtaining a final product with the similar quality and aesthetic characteristics required from the market and avoiding a possible spilling of the waste water after purification in sewers or in superficial river courses.
2002
- Thermal and chemical behaviour of different glasses containing steel fly ash and their transformation into glass-ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Chemically inert and different coloured glasses were prepared by inserting up to 10 wt.% steel plant fly ash into different kinds of inorganic matrices. Three different matrices were tested: municipal incinerator grate ash, glass cullet and a low cost CMAS devetrifiable glass. The experimental techniques used to characterise both the starting and the heat treated (glass-ceramics) glasses were differential thermal analysis, durability and release tests, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and colour analysis (CIELab method). The results reached suggest the possibility to recover the steel ash both as a starting material in glass and glass-ceramic formulations and as a colouring agent in place of a pure iron oxide into a colourless base system. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
2002
- Urban incinerator grate ash used as raw material to produce sintered glass-ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Andreola, Nora Maria; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Sintering is shown to be a very convenient alternative way to valorise urban incinerator grate ash as raw material to produce glass-ceramics. The results reached by thermal, mineralogical, physical and microstructural analysis show that it is possible to obtain sintered finished products constituted of common silicate crystalline phases (wollastonite, diopside/augite) by heat treatments with shorter time and lower temperature with respect to the bulk devitrification.
2002
- Use of municipal incinerator bottom ash as sintering promoter in industrial ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano
abstract
The use of glassy frits obtained from municipal incinerator bottom ash and glass cullet, as sintering promoters in the production process of porcelainized stoneware, was investigated. The emphasis was on studying the similarities and differences with respect tothe standard body. The characterization involved the application of several techniques: chemical analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, linear shrinkage during firing, water absorption, bending strength and spot resistance test. The results show that, the addition of these glassy frits in the body improve the characteristics of water absorption and spot resistance which is related to the absence of surface porosity originated by the glassy phase. Moreover, addition of glassy frits to the porcelanized stoneware body does not change significantly its bending strength. In the firing conditions used there is a slight worsening in the tiles planarity, while there is a significant modification of the color, which becomes darker with respect to the base body.
2002
- Utilisation of municipal incinerator grate slag for manufacturing porcelainized stoneware tiles manufacturing
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano
abstract
Porcelainized stoneware tiles containing up to 20 wt.% of municipal incinerator grate slag have been fabricated by cold uniaxial pressing and conventional fast firing cycles. The sinterability of these samples was investigated from density and shrinkage measurements together with mechanical (Vickers microhardness and Young's modulus) and esthetical (spot resistance and colour parameters analysis) properties. The comparison with the porcelainized stoneware tiles containing no waste suggest a good compatibility between the ceramic body and the waste that does not significantly change the properties of the final products and the conditions of the firing cycle. Nevertheless, the porosity increase, proportional to the waste content, causes a decrease in density, shrinkage, spot resistance and whiteness. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
2002
- Valorizzazione di rifiuti inorganici nel settore ceramico
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Romagnoli, Marcello
abstract
Valorizzazione di rifiuti inorganici nel settore ceramico
2001
- ESEMPI DI INERTIZZAZIONE E VALORIZZAZIONE DI CENERE VOLANTE DI ACCIAIERIA
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Bondioli, Federica; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano
abstract
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2001
- Environmentally conscious sintered glass-ceramics
[Relazione in Atti di Convegno]
Barbieri, L.; Corradi, A.; Lancellotti, I.; Andreola, F.; Boccaccini, A. R.
abstract
Sintered glass-ceramics have been produced using municipal incinerator solid residues and glass culler or an inert waste, from feldspars processing, as sintering aids. The capability of three different mixtures, either previously vitrified or not, to be sintered was investigated by means of linear shrinkage, water absorption and bulk density measurements, and by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy observations. Particular attention has been addressed to the study of particle size effect on the sintering process. The conclusions that can be drawn from the experimental study are that the preliminary vitrification step is essential in order to obtain a dense sintered glass-ceramic product in the 850-1050°C temperature range developing silicate crystalline phases. The optimal powder particle size that confers a good densification degree was found to be < 45 μm.
2001
- Glass cullet Scrap or New Raw Material?
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; G., Brusatin; G., Scarinci; P., Colombo
abstract
Municipal and industrial wastes were mixed with glass cullet producing successfully bulk glasses and glass fibres. Depending on the composition and amount of the waste, glasses with different characteristics were obtained. Some of the glasses were also crystallised to produce glass ceramics. Glass cullet was foamed with the use of suitable foaming agents. The properties of the foams obtained were comparable to those of currently manufactured material. Leaching and durability tests showed that micropollutants are retained in the waste-derived glass, so the material can either be disposed safely or used as raw material to produce other items. This work thus demonstrates that wastes can be inertized by mixing them with glass formers, and that they can also be valorised if the produced glass is used to manufacture commercial products.
2001
- Glass matrix composites from solid waste materials
[Articolo su rivista]
M., Ferraris; M., Salvo; F., Smeacetto; L., Augier; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Glass matrix composites have been obtained by mixing and sintering negative cost materials coming from municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) and from one aluminium foundry. The bottom ashes from two MSWIs were used to obtain the glass matrix and the solid wastes from an aluminium alloy industry were employed as a second phase. The bottom ashes were vitrified by heating at 1400 degreesC without any additive. The vitrification process reduces the bottom ash initial volume by about 60%. The obtained glass has a Young modulus of 96 GPa and a Vickers hardness of 6 GPa. The composites were prepared in air by a low temperature pressure-less viscous phase sintering process (740-830 degreesC) and were morphologically and mechanically characterised. The composites showed a bending strength up to 50 MPa at room temperature and could be proposed for applications in the field of tiles. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
2001
- Nucleation and crystallization of new glasses from fly ash originating from thermal power plants
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano; Pellacani, Gian Carlo; Jm, Rincon; M., Romero
abstract
The nucleation and crystallization kinetics of new glasses obtained by melting mixtures of a Spanish carbon fly ash with glass cullet and dolomite stag at 1500 degreesC has been evaluated by a calculation method. These glasses, whose microstructure was examined by TEM carbon replica, were susceptible to controlled crystallization in the 800 degrees -1100 degreesC range. The resulting glass-ceramics developed acicular and branched wollastonite crystals or a network of dendritic pyroxene mixed with anorthite feldspar (SEM and EDX analysis). The time-temperature-transformation curves (processing of the XRD data) showed the crystallization kinetics and the critical cooling rate to be in the 12 degrees -42 degreesC/min range.
2001
- Problematiche e prospettive di valorizzazione di scorie di inceneritore urbano nel settore ceramico
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
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2001
- Recycling in the Italian ceramic tile factories
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano
abstract
In the Italian reality the unfired and fired by-products are totally recycled in the manufacturing cycle, and only those residues coming from depuration processes (glaze sludges and exhausted lime) cause technological problems, being less useful for recycling. Statistical data of the produced quantities, treated and recycled, divided by categories, are shown. Furthermore, we analyze a new category of ceramic residue, polishing sludges, that owing to their chemical characteristics, are not recycled in the ceramic bodies. We propose to reuse them as secondary raw materials to obtain porous materials with insulating properties by controlled thermal treatments.
2001
- Structural studies and electrical properties of recycled glasses from glass and incinerator wastes
[Articolo su rivista]
A., Saccani; F., Sandrolini; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
The electrical behaviour of different glass compositions obtained from mixing waste glass deriving from a community glass recycling program and silicate waste from the incineration of municipal solid residues (from Reggio Emilia city) have been investigated as a function of temperature and frequency. The electrical and dielectric properties were related to structural studies performed on the same glassy materials. As the amount of incinerator wastes increases, on account of lower alkali and higher alkaline-earth content in the final glass composition, conductivity and dielectric losses decrease approaching the behaviour of type E glass fibres, so envisaging a possible use of waste-containing glasses in the production of high voltage insulators.
2001
- The possibility to recycle solid residues of the municipal waste incineration into a ceramic tile body
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano
abstract
The feasibility of utilising solid residues of the municipal wastes incineration such as grate (bottom) ash and electrofilter and sleeve filter fly ash, in combination with a porcelain stoneware body, in the preparation of tiles has been investigated. While the chemical, mineralogical, thermal and rheological characterisation of the waste raw materials carries out some problems arising by using fly ash, these seem to be overcome with the bottom ash. The introduction of up to 20 wt% of this powder into the ceramic body does not substantially change the mineralogical and thermal behaviour of the product.
2001
- Valorization of a steel plant fly ash in a CMAS glass-ceramic
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbieri, Luisa; Andreola, Nora Maria; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Stable and inert glasses in the SiO2-Al2O3-CaO-MgO glass-ceramic system were prepared by adding up to 10 wt% of a steel plant fly ash, and subsequently crystallized. Steel waste dust acts mainly on the optical and thermal properties, without modifying the devitrification mechanism. In particular, the role of structure modifiers Fe2O3 and ZnO, the main oxides present in the waste, is to lower the viscosity and refractoriness of the system. Iron, present mainly in tetrahedral coordination in a 3+ oxidation state, confers yellow-brown color to the glasses. As a consequence of heat treatment, pyroxenic glass-ceramics develop with a surface mechanism, as in the CMAS parent system. On the basis of a previous work, the effect of steel waste dust is reasonably comparable to that of pure iron oxide, with the advantage of using an inexpensive raw material with a good environmental impact factor.
2001
- Wastes based glasses and glass-ceramics
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Actually, the inertization, recovery and valorisation of the wastes coming from municipal and industrial processes are the most important goals from the environmental and economical point of view. An alternative technology capable to overcome the problem of the dishomogeneity of the raw material chemical composition is the vitrification process that is able to increase the homogeneity and the constancy of the chemical composition of the system and to modulate the properties in order to address the reutilization of the waste. Moreover, the glasses obtained subjected to different controlled thermal treatments, can be transformed in semy- cristalline material (named glassceramics) with improved properties with respect to the parent amorphous materials. In this review the tailoring, preparation and characterization of glasses and glassceramics obtained starting from municipal incinerator grate ash, coal and steel fly ashes and glass cullet are described.
2000
- Alkaline and alkaline-earth silicate glasses and glass-ceramics from municipal and industrial wastes
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Municipal (bottom ash and glass cullet coming from the municipal solid waste incineration and a community glass recycling program, respectively) and industrial (steel fly ash) wastes are particularly suitable to be subjected to a vitrification/devitrification process, leading to the production of alkaline and alkaline-earth silicate differently colored glasses with good chemical properties, capable to be transformed into surface nucleated basaltic glass-ceramics. These materials were investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, durability and release tests, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.
2000
- Bulk and sintered glass-ceramics by recycling municipal incinerator bottom ash
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
Glass-ceramics were produced using an Italian municipal incinerator bottom ash and glass culler coming from a community glass recycling program. The capability of three different mixtures to be vitrified and subsequently devitrified by both bulk and sintering process was investigated by means of differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, hot stage microscopy, firing shrinkage, water absorption and bulk density measurements, as well as scanning electron microscopy observations. High ash contents favour the growth of crystallised fraction volume and the formation of crystals of the pyroxene group, and anorthite in addition to wollastonite. Since the nucleation mechanism starts from the surface and sintering occurs before crystallisation, all the compositions humidified with a water solution are easily sinterable in dense materials at the relatively low temperature of about 850 degrees C, in such way as to render the process economically advantageous (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
2000
- Controlled crystallisation of glasses coming from incinerator solid residues
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; G., Scarinci; S., Hreglich
abstract
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2000
- Crystallization of (Na2O-MgO)-CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 glassy systems formulated from waste products
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Ferrari, Anna Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Leonelli, Cristina; Rincon, J. M. A.; M., Romero
abstract
Aluminosilicate and silicate glass-ceramics were obtained from controlled devitrification of CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 glassy systems starting from Spanish and Italian coal fly ash or Italian municipal incinerator slag mixed with other byproducts, such as glass cullet and dolomite, The nucleation mechanism and the crystallization kinetics were investigated by thermal, diffractometric, and microstructural measurements. Moreover, the experimentally observed devitrification and the identification of the crystalline phases formed were compared with the indications derived from Ginsberg, Raschin-Tschetveritkov, and Lebedeva diagrams used for petrological glass-ceramics. All the glasses showed a good crystallization tendency with the formation of dendritic pyroxene and acicular wollastonite together with feldspar and iron spinels starting from the surface. The activation energy values for crystallization ranging from 472 to 832 kJ.mol(-1) were found to be close to those typical for aluminosilicate glasses; moreover, the possibility to vitrify and devitrify up to 100 wt% of slag and up to 40-50 wt% of ash mixed with glass cullet and dolomite makes the vitrification treatment a suitable disposal procedure.
2000
- Glass-ceramics sintered by glassy powders of no hazardous special wastes
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano; Andreola, Nora Maria
abstract
An alternative method for recycling municipal incinerator grate ash is proposed. The glassy powder is sintered to obtain glass-ceramic materials. The results obtained from mineralogical, physical and microstructural analyses show that it is possible to obtain dense finished products consisting of common silicate crystalline phases (wollastonite, diopside) by firing treatments with shorter time and lower temperature with respect to bulk devitrification. 20 refs.
2000
- Sintering: an alternative to fusion for the recycling of silicate wastes?
[Articolo su rivista]
A. R., Boccaccini; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
Sintering is shown to be a very convenient alternative way for recycling silicate residues. Glass sintering can be carried out at temperatures in the range of 600-900 degreesC to fabricate for example panels, floor and wall tiles, and other building and specialised materials, leading. thus. to considerable savings of energy costs. Moreover. by powder technology and sintering technique a variety of glass matrix composite and glass-ceramic materials with optimised microstructures and improved mechanical and physical properties can be fabricated, expanding in this way the application potential of waste-containing products. Two examples are presented, based on the utilisation of different silicate residues: i) glass cullet and coal power station fly ashes and ii) fly ash from municipal waste incinerators.
2000
- Use of wastes in glasses, glass-ceramics and ceramics
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella
abstract
The aim of this work is to show possibilities for recycling solid waste by the vitrification/devitrification technique, mixing municipal bottom ash with glass cullet and steel plant fly ash, and by adding the municipal waste to ceramic bodies used for floor tiles manifacture. Experimental tests were performed investigating thermal, thermomechanical, mechanical, chemical and physical properties, and it has been demonstrated that it is possible to dispose of different kinds of wastes through their valorization as an alternative raw material to produce new coloured and inert glass, glass-ceramic and ceramic materials with good technological properties.
2000
- Vitrification of industrial and natural wastes with production of glass fibres
[Articolo su rivista]
G., Scarinci; G., Brusatin; Barbieri, Luisa; Corradi, Anna; Lancellotti, Isabella; P., Colombo; S., Hreglich; R., Dall'Igna
abstract
Solid wastes coming from the municipal incinerator of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and sludge excavated from the lagoon of Venice were successfully vitrified at 1350-1500 degreesC. Glass cullet, coming from a community glass recycling program, was introduced in some of the batches as a melting aid. Several analyses performed on the glasses showed that the glass transition and devitrification temperatures shift to higher values with increasing amount of waste in the raw materials. The glasses obtained display a good durability. Two kinds of wastes tested in the experiments could be vitrified by themselves, with no addition of external raw materials. Glass fibres were drawn from the obtained glasses at various temperatures. Mechanical tests showed that the elastic modulus increases with the waste content, while it does not depend on the drawing temperature. The fibres possess a good tensile strength (a maximum value of 1.6 GPa was obtained). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
1999
- Design, obtainment and properties of glasses and glass-ceramics from coal fly ash
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; Manfredini, Tiziano; I., Queralt; J. M., Rincon; M., Romero
abstract
Glasses and glass-ceramics were obtained by mixing up to 50 wt% of Italian or Spanish coal fly ash with other wastes (glass cullet and float dolomite). The behaviour of 10 compositions was investigated by thermal (DTA) and mineralogical (XRD) analysis, microstructural (SEM) characterization, mechanical and chemical measurements. It was verified that the contribution of the alkaline-earth elements in the original composition is fundamental to easily obtain glass-ceramics with a fine microstructure which improves the mechanical properties. Otherwise, with a small addition of Ay ash and without dolomite, very stable glassy materials were obtained that did not exhibit any visible etching either in water or in acid media. Therefore, the combined vitrification/devitrification technique is a suitable methodology for the recycling and exploitation of coal fly ash. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
1998
- Utilizzo di scorie da inceneritore urbano nella produzione di gres porcellanato
[Articolo su rivista]
Andreola, Nora Maria; Barbieri, Luisa; Lancellotti, Isabella; F., Mavridis; Pozzi, Paolo
abstract
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1996
- Anion binding to mitochondrial cytochromes c studied through electrochemistry - Effects of the neutralization of surface charges on the redox potential
[Articolo su rivista]
Battistuzzi, Gianantonio; Borsari, Marco; Dallari, D; Lancellotti, Isabella; Sola, Marco
abstract
The redox potential of horse and bovine heart cytochromes c determined through cyclic voltammetry is exploited to probe for anion-protein interactions, using a Debye-Huckel-based model. In parallel, protein charge neutralization resulting from specific anion binding allows monitoring for surface-charge/E(o) relationships. This approach shows that a number of anions, most of which are of biological relevance, namely Cl-, HPO42-, HCO3-, NO3-, SO42-, ClO4-, citrate(3-) and oxalate(2-); bind specifically to the protein surface, often in a sequential manner as a result of the presence of multiple sites with different affinities, The binding stoichiometries of the various anions toward a given cytochrome are in general different. Chloride and phosphate appear to bind to a greater extent to both proteins as compared to the other anions. Differences in binding specificity toward the two cytochromes, although highly sequence-related, are observed for a few anions. The data are discussed comparatively in terms of electrostatic and geometric properties of the anions and by reference to the proposed location and amino acid composition of the anion binding sites, when available. Specific binding of this large set of anions bearing different charges allows the electrostatic effect on E(o) due to neutralization of net positive protein surface charge(s) to be monitored. H-1 NMR indeed indicates the absence of significant salt-induced structural perturbations, hence the above change in E(o) is predominantly electrostatic in origin. A systematic study of protein surface-charge/E(o) relationships using this approach is unprecedented. Values of 15-25 mV (extrapolated at zero ionic strength) are obtained for the decrease in E(o) due to neutralization of one positive surface charge, which are of the same order of magnitude as previous estimates obtained with either mutation or chemical modification of surface lysines. The effects of the anion-induced decrease of net positive charge on E(o) persist also at a relatively high ionic strength and add to the general effects related to the charge shielding of the protein as a whole due to the surrounding ionic atmosphere: hence the ionic strength dependence of the rate of electron transfer between cytochromes c and redox partners could also involve salt-induced changes in the driving force.