journal article·2026-12Open access

Understanding the reactivity of biomass ash from a pulverised fuel combustor

Ivana Carević, Marijana Serdar, Vilma Ducman, Sabina Dolenec, Maruša Mrak, Nina Štirmer

Abstract

The manuscript provides long-term microstructural study on as-collected wood biomass ash (WBA) from a pulverised fuel combustor. Analytical methods, including isothermal calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and mercury intrusion porosimetry, were used to assess reaction kinetics, phase development, and porosity. Results show that WBA increases water demand due to its irregular particle morphology and high content of unburnt carbon and carbonates, causing a dilution effect that delays hydration reactions and extends the induction period. Microstructural analysis revealed significant changes in porosity, with an increase in pores between 0.01–0.05 μm during early hydration. As a result, early mechanical strength is reduced. Over time, the pozzolanic activity and carbonation of WBA enhance compressive strength, improving long-term performance. The study highlights the potential of WBA as a sustainable cement substitute and emphasises the need for further research to optimise its integration into concrete applications and assess its durability in various environments.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Processes · Coal Combustion and Slurry Processing · Coal and Its By-products

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (69)

Show source-provided references
1. The role of supplementary cementitious materials in hydration, durability and shrinkage of cement-based materials, their environmental and economic benefits: a review
2. Supplementary cementitious materials10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.12.001 ↗
3. Advances in understanding hydration of Portland cement10.1016/j.cemconres.2015.05.025 ↗
4. Characterization of pore structure in cement-based materials using pressurization-depressurization cycling mercury intrusion porosimetry (PDC-MIP)10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.02.011 ↗
5. Impact of the supplementary cementitious materials on the kinetics and microstructural development of cement hydration
6. review on the characteristics of wood biomass fly ash and their influences on the valorization in cementitious materials
7. Rheological benefits of biomass fly ash as filler replacement in cement-based materials
8. Correlation between physical and chemical properties of wood biomass ash and cement composites performances10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119450 ↗
9. Turning waste into greener cementitious building material: treatment methods for biomass ashes - a review10.3390/ma18040834 ↗
10. Comparative analysis of woody biomass fly ash and Class F Fly ash as supplementary cementitious materials in mortar10.3390/ma17153723 ↗
11. Biomass ash as supplementary cementitious material (SCM)10.1179/1743676115Y.0000000043 ↗
12. An investigation of the effectiveness of the utilization of biomass ashes as pozzolanic materials10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2014.06.071 ↗
13. Environmental impact assessment of wood bio-concretes: Evaluation of the influence of different supplementary cementitious materials10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121146 ↗
14. Performance of wood bottom ash in cement-based applications and comparison with other selected ashes: overview10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105351 ↗
15. The potential of wood ash to be used as a supplementary cementitious material in cement mortars10.3390/buildings15091507 ↗
16. Wood biomass ash, municipal solid waste ash, and recycled concrete from construction demolition waste as supplementary cementitious materials in fine graded granular mixtures10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144016 ↗
17. Ground wood ash as a supplementary cementitious material: effects on strength, durability and environmental performance of concrete10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.144520 ↗
18. Preliminary screening of wood biomass ashes for partial resources replacements in cementitious materials10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.321 ↗
19. Impact of production parameters on physiochemical characteristics of wood ash for possible utilisation in cement-based materials10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.02.034 ↗
20. Feasibility of using pozzolanicity tests to assess reactivity of wood biomass fly ashes
21. Mortar with wood waste ash: mechanical strength carbonation resistance and ASR expansion10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2013.08.026 ↗
22. Characterisation and use of biomass fly ash in cement-based materials10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.07.109 ↗
23. Evaluation of ash pozzolanic activity by means of the strength activity index test, Frattini test and DTA/TG analysis
24. Phase development and mechanical response of low-level cement replacements with wood ash and washed wood ash10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121234 ↗
25. The effect of wood ash as a partial cement replacement material for making wood-cement panels10.3390/ma12172766 ↗
26. Reaction mechanisms of wood ash for use as a partial cement replacement10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.122889 ↗
27. Self-hardening of fly ashes from a bubbling fluidized bed combustion of peat, forest industry residuals, and wastes10.1016/j.fuel.2015.10.093 ↗
28. Valorization of biomass ashes in the production of cementitious composites: a comprehensive review of properties and performance10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.133244 ↗
29. Wood biomass ash as a clinker substitute in advancing next-generation blended cement: Croatian case study10.1038/s41598-025-33867-x ↗
30. Compressive strength and leaching behavior of mortars with biomass ash10.3390/recycling3030046 ↗
31. Fly and bottom ashes from biomass combustion as cement replacing components in mortars production: rheological behaviour of the pastes and materials compression strength10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.06.070 ↗
32. EAB. Koenders, Reuse of woody biomass ash waste in cementitious materials10.15255/CABEQ.2015.2231 ↗
33. Durability of new blended cements additioned with recycled biomass bottom ASH from electric power plants10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.07.176 ↗
34. Ash Transformation Processes during Pulverized Fuel Combustion of Rice Husks10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c05412 ↗
35. Investigation of oxygen-enriched biomass flames in a lab-scale entrained flow reactor10.1016/j.fuel.2024.131343 ↗
36. The European Committee for Standardization. Solid biofuels -- Determination of major elements -- Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, P, K, Si, Na i Ti (ISO 16967:2015; EN ISO 16967:2015) 2015.
37. The European Committee for Standardization
38. ASTM International · 2013
39. ASTM International · 2017
40. 2017
41. 2016
42. 1996
43. Lidija Korat Bensa. Characterization of Cement Composites with Mineral Additives, Doctoral thesis (in Slovenian). Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2015.
44. Scrivener · 2018
45. Hydration of Portland cement with high replacement by siliceous fly ash10.1016/j.cemconres.2012.06.009 ↗
46. XRD and TGA investigation of hardened cement paste degradation
47. Effect of pretreated biomass fly ash on the mechanical properties and durability of cement mortar
48. Long-term behavior of concrete containing wood biomass fly ash10.3390/app122412859 ↗
49. Hydration development of mineral additives blended cement using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA): methodology of calculating the degree of hydration10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.04.132 ↗
50. JL. Pérez-Rodríguez, Phase transformation on heating of an aged cement paste10.1016/j.tca.2003.11.057 ↗
51. Investigation of the carbonation mechanism of CH and C-S-H in terms of kinetics, microstructure changes and moisture properties10.1016/j.cemconres.2013.11.015 ↗
52. Determination of the CO2 uptake of construction products manufactured by mineral carbonation10.3390/min13081079 ↗
53. Design of high strength cement based materials: Part 2 microstructure10.1179/mst.1988.4.4.285 ↗
54. Mercury intrusion porosimetry in concrete technology: tips in measurement, pore structure parameter acquisition and application10.1007/s10934-013-9765-4 ↗
55. The assessment of porosity and pore size distribution of limestone Portland cement pastes10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2008.08.028 ↗
56. Reactivity tests for supplementary cementitious materials: RILEM TC 267-TRM phase 110.1617/s11527-018-1269-x ↗
57. Alkalies in cement: a review I. Forms of Alkalies and Their Effect on Clinker Formation
58. Effect of alkali content in cement on its hydration kinetics and mechanical properties10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.116833 ↗
59. Influence of alkali sulfates in clinker on the hydration and hardening of Portland cement10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.05.196 ↗
60. Reactivity of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in cement blends10.1016/j.cemconres.2019.105799 ↗
61. Influence of activated biomass fly ash on portland cement hydration
62. The fluid transport properties of HCWA-DSF hybrid supplementary binder mortar10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.09.021 ↗
63. Partial replacement of portland-composite cement by fluidized bed combustion fly ash10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001899 ↗
64. Hydration mechanisms of ternary Portland cements containing limestone powder and fly ash10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.11.014 ↗
65. TC 238-SCM: hydration and microstructure of concrete with SCMs: state of the art on methods to determine degree of reaction of SCMs10.1617/s11527-015-0527-4 ↗
66. Characteristics of CSH under carbonation and its effects on the hydration and microstructure of cement paste10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129952 ↗
67. Comparing methods for determining the CO2content in CO2-Sequestering materials and natural rock10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.07.109 ↗
68. Sequestration capacity of bio-based ashes and influence of carbonation on the leaching behavior depending on their mineralogical composition10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.11.229 ↗
69. Pore size distribution of hydrated cement pastes modified with polymers10.1016/S0008-8846(01)00549-X ↗