Physico-chemical Study of Bagasse and Bagasse Ash from the Sugar Industries of NWFP Pakistan and Remediation of Environmental Problems Caused by Refused Bagasse Ash

Abstract

Bagasse ash from the local sugar mills of NWFP (Pakistan) has been analyzed both physically and chemically. The moisture, ash contents, loss on ignition (LOI), volatile matter and calorific value have been determined. The qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out by x-ray flourimeter (XRF) and carbon sulfur detector. The physical parameters were determined by thermogravemetric analyzer (TGA) and bomb calorimeter. The bagasse was also analyzed for ash and moisture contents which were found to be 3.66 and 9.47% respectively. The bagasse ash was found to consist of 86.69% ash, 13.45% loss on ignition (LOI) and 50 kcal/kg calorific value. The chemical constituents of bagasse ash were found to comprise of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, carbon and sulfur.