Title: Different methods to derive pure silica from agriculture waste

Authors: Azza El-Maghraby; Heba A. El-Deeb

Addresses: Fabrication Technology Department, Institute of New Materials and Advanced Technology, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (CSAT), New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria 21934, Egypt ' Fabrication Technology Department, Institute of New Materials and Advanced Technology, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications (CSAT), New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria 21934, Egypt

Abstract: Rice residues are important natural resources, the management of these residues is a major challenge for environment protection. The use of different techniques to produce silica with minimal mineral contaminants having high Specific Surface Area (SSA) has been investigated. The different methods used depended on treatment of rice hulls with different dilute organic acids and hydrochloric acid, without the risk of using corrosive, toxic and hazardous substances in the burning process. Different powdered silica obtained are characterised by particle size distribution, crystallographic structure, BET SSA and chemical analysis. X-ray Diffraction patterns revealed the amorphous nature of silica. The major impurities of silica produced from rice hulls were Na, K and Ca salts.

Keywords: rice hulls; rice husks; amorphous silica; waste management; agricultural waste; rice residue; environmental protection; dilute organic acids; hydrochloric acid.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2012.048151

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2012 Vol.10 No.1, pp.47 - 55

Published online: 13 Dec 2014 *

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