# Bloating Mechanism of Lightweight Aggregates due to Ramping Rate

Authors: Kang Hoon Lee; Jae Hoon Lee; Young Min Wie; Ki Gang Lee
Journal: Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
 (2019)

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## Abstract

The purpose of this study was to improve the recycling rate of industrial wastes by investigating the bloating mechanism of artificial lightweight aggregate depending on the ramping rate and time, which is a dynamic parameter in the production of artificial lightweight aggregate. In this study, coal bottom ash and dredged soil at a weight ratio of 1 : 1 from a domestic power plant were used as raw materials. The artificial lightweight aggregates were formed by using an extruder and pelletizer (φ = 10 mm) and sintered by rapid sintering, 2-step firing, and normal sintering method. The physical properties of the aggregates such as bulk density, water absorption ratio, and microstructure of cross section are investigated with the sintering time and temperature. As the result of bloating and trapping mechanism, black core could be inhibited as the firing time increased at the temperature before surface formation. As a result of firing schedule graphs using least square method, it was possible to manufacture artificial lightweight aggregate with micropores, specific gravity of 1.1, and absorption rate of 3% at a heating rate of 27°c/min or less.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

As a result of the rapid national economic and industrial growth, the amount of industrial waste according to such development is continuously increasing. Among various industrial wastes with different characteristics, the amount of coal ash generated from the thermal power generation, which accounts for more than 30% of Korea’s power generation, was about 9 million tons in 2010, but it is expected to increase to 14 million tons in 2017 due to increased generation of coal ash resulting from the construction of additional power plants since 2010 [1–3]. Depending on the characteristics, coal ash can be divided into two categories, fly ash and bottom ash, and fly ash, which accounts for 70∼85% of the coal ash, is actively recycled as a raw material for concrete admixture and cement. However, in the case of bottom ash, only a part of it is used as a construction fill materials, and when it is used as an aggregate in concrete, there is a limitation in recycling for the quality problems resulting from the workability, which is due to the interlocking phenomenon and management of water content by surface pore [4]. In addition, dredged soil generated during dredging reaches 46 million tons per year, but most of it is treated by landfilling and ocean dumping, so it is urgent to make stabilization and recycling [5–7]. Recently, studies on the production of lightweight aggregate using waste containing coal bottom ash have been actively carried out. [8–10]. Liao et al. [11] prepared aggregates using sediment of reservoir. Yang et al. [12] manufactured aggregates using low-silicon iron tailings, fly ash, and powdery quartz sand. Li et al. [13] produced lightweight aggregates using slate wastes. These various wastes were utilized, and various methods of sintering were used. Riley [14] and Kang and Kang [15] used a temperature elevation sintering method, and Lee [16, 17] used rapid sintering. And the aggregate was sintered in the study of Lee [18] by the two-stage sintering method. A variety of calcining methods have been used, and the methodology for producing aggregates has not been well addressed. In general, lightweight aggregate is lightened by bloating when it is fired, and it requires generation of gas for foaming and surface which can collect the formed gas [19, 20]. The bubbling gas is generated by the oxidation of the organic matter and carbon existing inside the reducing atmosphere, where the reaction with external oxygen is blocked during the aggregate firing [21]. Unlike the artificial lightweight aggregates that are manufactured using the existing natural raw materials with low refractoriness, for lightening of the weight, sintering at a high temperature is necessary when artificial lightweight aggregate is produced using recycled resources with high refractivity. Therefore, it is difficult to control the formation rate of the surface and the generation rate of the foaming gas. Furthermore, the formation of the surface for gas collection can be defined as the surface densification, caused by the reduced pore size, which results from the viscous behavior generated in the low melting point compound. In other words, the rate of control of the two reactions determines the bloating behavior of the artificial lightweight aggregate.There are two main purposes of this study. First, the change of the bloating mechanism by the sintering method of the aggregate is investigated. For this purpose, we produced and evaluated aggregates by rapid sintering, two-step sintering, and normal sintering. Secondly, based on the experimental results, the applicability of the bloating mechanism is predicted in the actual rotary kiln sintering condition.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Materials

The raw materials used in this study were a mixture of coal bottom ash (B/A), which was discharged after burning bituminous coal in Y thermal power plant, and dredged soil (D/S) in 1 : 1 ratio by weight. The raw material was pulverized to less than 200 mesh using a pin mill. The chemical composition of the pulverized raw material was analyzed using XRF (ZSR-100e, Rigaku, Tokyo, Japan). The phase of the raw material was analyzed by XRD (Miniflexll, Rigaku, Tokyo, Japan). Plastic index (PI) of dredged soil and experimental mixture (B/A: 50, D/S: 50) was measured by KS F 2304 test method [22].


### 2.2. Manufacturing of Artificial Lightweight Aggregate

In order to produce artificial lightweight aggregate, the dredged soil, which is inorganic plasticizer, and coal bottom ash were mixed at a weight ratio of 1 : 1, and the mixture was pulverized to less than 200 mesh using a pin mill (TOP, Korea Mechanical Engineering, Changwon, Korea). The pulverized mixture was set to a moisture content of 20%, and artificial lightweight aggregate was formed into a size of about 10 mm using an extruder (GRN05, VANHO, Chilgok, Korea). The discharged product was rotated for 5 minutes at 40 rpm and 50° using a pelletizer (WPP 700, Woongbi Machinery, Cheonan, Korea), and resulting aggregate was dried at 105°C for 24 hours using a dryer.In order to maximize the surface densification, rapid sintering method, where the discharge is done after maintaining the maximum temperature for a certain period of time, is used. Also, to control the content of the foaming gas, a two-stage firing method was used where temperature before the formation of liquid on the surface is maintained for a certain period of time, followed by the maintenance of maximum temperature for a set time before the discharge. Also, for the rotary kiln firing conditions, the normal firing method was used in which the initial temperature was raised from 300°C to the maximum temperature. Additives were not used, and the change in physical properties [23] of artificial lightweight aggregate was observed for each firing method. The schedule for each firing method is shown in Figure 1.Figure 1
Schedule of heating by different ramping rates.


### 2.3. Theory of Bloating Mechanism

#### 2.3.1. Black Core Bloating Mechanism

Typical lightweight aggregate is foamed by the black coring phenomenon caused by the reduction of Fe2O3. The sintering of the aggregate confines the internal gas. Oxidation of organic substances and carbon in the interior creates a reducing atmosphere. The chemical equation for this is as follows [24–26]:(1)3Fe2O3⋅2FeO⋅Fe2O3+12O2(2)3Fe2O3+C⟶2Fe3O4+CO(3)Fe3O4+C⟶3FeO+COReactions (1) to (3) explain the reduction reaction of Fe2O3 by CO. The CO gas generated in the reducing atmosphere raises the internal pressure. The resulting FeO also lowers the viscosity of the inside of aggregate to form a liquid phase and promotes viscous behavior. In other words, the velocity control of the two reactions determines the bloating of the artificial lightweight aggregate. In this case, the pores are concentrated in the central part.


#### 2.3.2. Micropore Generation and Growth Mechanism

Kose and Bayer [27] suggested that the bloating mechanism of foamed glass can be divided into the following three stages.(1)
Gas generation inside the body(2)
Pore creation and bonding by internal pressure(3)
Expansion of pores due to pressure difference between small pores and large poresMost of the foaming takes place in stages 1 and 2 and is lightweight. In step 3, pore growth was achieved. In the bloating mechanism, Kose and Bayer [27] claimed gas pressure and viscous behavior of the material determine the properties. This is similar to the black core mechanism described above. However, unlikely, in the black core mechanism, chemical changes such as reduction of Fe2O3 do not occur. In this case, small pores are distributed evenly inside the aggregate. Therefore to predict the bloating mechanism of lightweight aggregate, the ramping rate is the most important factor. Figure 2 shows the flow diagram of the experimental routes.Figure 2
Flow diagram of the experimental routes.


## 2.1. Materials

The raw materials used in this study were a mixture of coal bottom ash (B/A), which was discharged after burning bituminous coal in Y thermal power plant, and dredged soil (D/S) in 1 : 1 ratio by weight. The raw material was pulverized to less than 200 mesh using a pin mill. The chemical composition of the pulverized raw material was analyzed using XRF (ZSR-100e, Rigaku, Tokyo, Japan). The phase of the raw material was analyzed by XRD (Miniflexll, Rigaku, Tokyo, Japan). Plastic index (PI) of dredged soil and experimental mixture (B/A: 50, D/S: 50) was measured by KS F 2304 test method [22].


## 2.2. Manufacturing of Artificial Lightweight Aggregate

In order to produce artificial lightweight aggregate, the dredged soil, which is inorganic plasticizer, and coal bottom ash were mixed at a weight ratio of 1 : 1, and the mixture was pulverized to less than 200 mesh using a pin mill (TOP, Korea Mechanical Engineering, Changwon, Korea). The pulverized mixture was set to a moisture content of 20%, and artificial lightweight aggregate was formed into a size of about 10 mm using an extruder (GRN05, VANHO, Chilgok, Korea). The discharged product was rotated for 5 minutes at 40 rpm and 50° using a pelletizer (WPP 700, Woongbi Machinery, Cheonan, Korea), and resulting aggregate was dried at 105°C for 24 hours using a dryer.In order to maximize the surface densification, rapid sintering method, where the discharge is done after maintaining the maximum temperature for a certain period of time, is used. Also, to control the content of the foaming gas, a two-stage firing method was used where temperature before the formation of liquid on the surface is maintained for a certain period of time, followed by the maintenance of maximum temperature for a set time before the discharge. Also, for the rotary kiln firing conditions, the normal firing method was used in which the initial temperature was raised from 300°C to the maximum temperature. Additives were not used, and the change in physical properties [23] of artificial lightweight aggregate was observed for each firing method. The schedule for each firing method is shown in Figure 1.Figure 1
Schedule of heating by different ramping rates.


## 2.3. Theory of Bloating Mechanism

### 2.3.1. Black Core Bloating Mechanism

Typical lightweight aggregate is foamed by the black coring phenomenon caused by the reduction of Fe2O3. The sintering of the aggregate confines the internal gas. Oxidation of organic substances and carbon in the interior creates a reducing atmosphere. The chemical equation for this is as follows [24–26]:(1)3Fe2O3⋅2FeO⋅Fe2O3+12O2(2)3Fe2O3+C⟶2Fe3O4+CO(3)Fe3O4+C⟶3FeO+COReactions (1) to (3) explain the reduction reaction of Fe2O3 by CO. The CO gas generated in the reducing atmosphere raises the internal pressure. The resulting FeO also lowers the viscosity of the inside of aggregate to form a liquid phase and promotes viscous behavior. In other words, the velocity control of the two reactions determines the bloating of the artificial lightweight aggregate. In this case, the pores are concentrated in the central part.


### 2.3.2. Micropore Generation and Growth Mechanism

Kose and Bayer [27] suggested that the bloating mechanism of foamed glass can be divided into the following three stages.(1)
Gas generation inside the body(2)
Pore creation and bonding by internal pressure(3)
Expansion of pores due to pressure difference between small pores and large poresMost of the foaming takes place in stages 1 and 2 and is lightweight. In step 3, pore growth was achieved. In the bloating mechanism, Kose and Bayer [27] claimed gas pressure and viscous behavior of the material determine the properties. This is similar to the black core mechanism described above. However, unlikely, in the black core mechanism, chemical changes such as reduction of Fe2O3 do not occur. In this case, small pores are distributed evenly inside the aggregate. Therefore to predict the bloating mechanism of lightweight aggregate, the ramping rate is the most important factor. Figure 2 shows the flow diagram of the experimental routes.Figure 2
Flow diagram of the experimental routes.


## 2.3.1. Black Core Bloating Mechanism

Typical lightweight aggregate is foamed by the black coring phenomenon caused by the reduction of Fe2O3. The sintering of the aggregate confines the internal gas. Oxidation of organic substances and carbon in the interior creates a reducing atmosphere. The chemical equation for this is as follows [24–26]:(1)3Fe2O3⋅2FeO⋅Fe2O3+12O2(2)3Fe2O3+C⟶2Fe3O4+CO(3)Fe3O4+C⟶3FeO+COReactions (1) to (3) explain the reduction reaction of Fe2O3 by CO. The CO gas generated in the reducing atmosphere raises the internal pressure. The resulting FeO also lowers the viscosity of the inside of aggregate to form a liquid phase and promotes viscous behavior. In other words, the velocity control of the two reactions determines the bloating of the artificial lightweight aggregate. In this case, the pores are concentrated in the central part.


## 2.3.2. Micropore Generation and Growth Mechanism

Kose and Bayer [27] suggested that the bloating mechanism of foamed glass can be divided into the following three stages.(1)
Gas generation inside the body(2)
Pore creation and bonding by internal pressure(3)
Expansion of pores due to pressure difference between small pores and large poresMost of the foaming takes place in stages 1 and 2 and is lightweight. In step 3, pore growth was achieved. In the bloating mechanism, Kose and Bayer [27] claimed gas pressure and viscous behavior of the material determine the properties. This is similar to the black core mechanism described above. However, unlikely, in the black core mechanism, chemical changes such as reduction of Fe2O3 do not occur. In this case, small pores are distributed evenly inside the aggregate. Therefore to predict the bloating mechanism of lightweight aggregate, the ramping rate is the most important factor. Figure 2 shows the flow diagram of the experimental routes.Figure 2
Flow diagram of the experimental routes.


## 3. Results and Discussion

### 3.1. Raw Materials

Table1 shows the results of the plastic limit (PL) and liquid limit (LL) of the raw materials. Moreno-Maroto et al. [28] classified clay by PI/LL. The PI/LL value of dredged soil was 0.43 and the value of 0.22 for the sample with 50% coal bottom ash. According to Moreno-Maroto and Alonso-Azcárate [28] classification, dredged soil is classified as silty clay or sandy clay depending on the content of sand, and it is a region where the formation is sufficient. The addition of coal bottom ash reduces the plasticity and turns into a soil with little toughness.Table 1
Plastic limit (PL), liquid limit (LL), and plasticity index (PI) of raw materials.
Items
PL (plastic limit)
LL (liquid limit)
PI (plasticity index)
Dredged soil
20
35
15
Coal bottom ash 50%
18
26
8
Dredged soil 50%Figure3 shows the XRD measurement results of the raw materials. Dredged soil consists of quartz, albite, muscovite, etc., which are easily observed in common soils. In the case of coal bottom ash, it was basically amorphous, and cristobalite and mullite phases were weakly observed. Table 2 shows the chemical composition of the raw materials. The results were plotted on Riley [14] and Cougny diagrams [29] (Figure 4). The dredged soil was found to satisfy both the Riley [14] diagram and the foam region of the Cougny [29] diagram. However, the amount of Fe2O3 was somewhat lower and appeared close to the critical region. In the case of B/A, both Riley diagram [14] and Cougny diagram [29] were not satisfied. The mixture of two raw materials (B/A 50 : D/S 50) satisfies the Riley diagram but not the Cougny diagram. Although the mixture does not satisfy both diagrams well, according to Dondi et al. [8], the use of waste as a lightweight aggregate can be lightened even if it deviates from chemical composition.Figure 3
XRD analysis of raw materials. (a) Dredged soil. (b) Coal bottom ash.
(a)
(b)Table 2
Chemical compositions of raw material.
Coal bottom ash
Dredged soil
Ig. loss
0
4.04
SiO2
62.03
71.00
Al2O3
25.40
14.24
Fe2O3
4.14
3.78
CaO
1.00
0.78
MgO
0.94
0.18
Na2O
0.08
2.49
K2O
3.23
2.67
TiO2
0.84
0.79
ZrO2
0
0
P2O5
0.12
0.03
Cr2O3
0.02
0
MnO
0.03
0
C
1.74
0
Total
100
100Figure 4
The raw material and the mixture are plotted in a triplet-state diagram. (a) Riley diagram [14]. (b) Cougny diagram [22].
(a)
(b)


### 3.2. Lightweight Properties of Artificial Lightweight Aggregate by Controlling the Reaction Rate

In this study, we tried to control the reaction rate of the foamed gas and the densification of the surface of the artificial lightweight aggregate. In order to control such conditions, the surface densification was maximized by using the rapid sintering method where the input temperature and discharge temperature are the same. Also, lightweight characteristic of lightweight aggregate was confirmed by controlling the amount of gas trapped in the aggregate by dividing the firing steps into two: controlling the amount of foam gas using the two-step firing method (1st step) and densifying the surface (2nd step). Furthermore, the foaming conditions and the trapping behavior applied to the actual process through the normal sintering method were confirmed, and the respective experimental conditions are shown in Table 3.Table 3
Experimental conditions.
Sintering
Input temperature (°C)
Output temperature (°C)
Sintering time (min)
Rapid sintering
1100
1100
10
1140
1140
1180
1180
Two-step firing
1120
10 (7′ + 3′)
600
1140
700
1160
20 (14′ + 6′)
800
1180
900
1200
30 (21′ + 9′)
1220
Normal sintering
300
1120
40
1140
1160
1180
60
1200
1220Figure5 is a graph of bulk density and water absorption ratio of an artificial lightweight aggregate produced by a rapid sintering method. Bloating was started at 1100°C, and it shows bulk density of about 1.2 g/cm3. With the increase of the firing temperature, the bulk density decreased and the water absorption ratio also decreased by 14%. As it can be seen from the cross-sectional image shown in Figure 6, the close pore tends to expand as the firing temperature increases. Also, black core is generated in all aggregates and crack is generated on the outside. This is because of the large amount of foam gas trapped inside the aggregate, which results from the surface densification, and high water absorption ratio was a result of the crack that was caused by the lack of viscous behavior on the surface, which is due to the deficient amount of the liquid phase on the surface.Figure 5
Physical properties of the lightweight aggregate by rapid sintering.Figure 6
Microstructure image of the lightweight aggregate by rapid sintering. (a) 1100°C. (b) 1140°C. (c) 1180°C.
(a)
(b)
(c)Figure7 is a graph of bulk density and water absorption ratio of an artificial lightweight aggregate produced by a two-stage firing method at different temperatures. Both bulk density and the water absorption ratio showed similar tendency when the 1st stage temperature was between 600°C and 800°C. Especially at the firing temperature between 1120°C and 1160°C, the firing tendency was observed and the bulk density was between 1.9 g/cm3 and 2.0 g/cm3. As the 1st step becomes longer, bulk density gets higher. This is because the organic matter or carbon which makes the reduction state in aggregate is oxidized and gas foaming does not occur in the 2nd step, and the water absorption ratio also tends to be the same. However at the firing temperature 1180°C which is the beginning of the liquid phase, bloating was started, and the bulk density was 1.1 g/cm3 at 1220°C. In case of the water absorption ratio, same as bulk density result, cracks did not occur, which resulted in the water absorption ratio of less than 10%, and at temperature higher than 1180°C, where liquid was formed on surface, the absorption rate was within 3%. However, for the aggregate that was fired for 10 minutes with the 1st stage temperature of 900°C, a high absorption rate was observed unlike the previous results. This is because unlike the aggregates fired at relatively low temperature, the surface capable of trapping the foaming gas is formed, and as a result, the black core is formed which leads to a formation of crack.Figure 7
Physical properties of the lightweight aggregate by 2-step firing with a variation in input temperature. Bulk density and water absorption ratio.


### 3.3. Identification of Actual Process Conditions by the Normal Sintering Method

During the production of artificial lightweight aggregate, firing is done at the rotary kiln. Therefore, because the artificial lightweight aggregate is fired while moving inside the rotary kiln from low temperature to high temperature, the two-stage firing method is divided into low-temperature and high-temperature regions. However, this is not sufficient to confirm the bloating behavior and the trapping behavior applied in actual process conditions. Consequently, the artificial lightweight aggregate was prepared by the normal sintering method, where mixture was input at 300°C, the input temperature of the rotary kiln used in an actual process, and fired to a desired temperature for a predetermined period of time.Figure8 shows the bulk density and water absorption ratio of the artificial lightweight aggregate prepared by the normal sintering method. The bloating does not occur at a temperature of 1120°C, indicating a bulk density of about 2.0 g/cm3. However, it can be seen that the bulk density gradually decreases with the increasing firing temperature. Also, it decreased rapidly between 1160 and 1180°C, to obtain a bulk density of less than 1.5 g/cm3, and weight reduction was possible. At 1200°C, a bulk density of about 1.1 g/cm3 was obtained. When the firing time was 60 minutes, the bulk density was higher than that of 40-minute firing. This is because the gas required for foaming flows out to the outside before the surface is densified, which is due to the longer baking time and longer calcinating time in the low-temperature region.Figure 8
Physical properties of the lightweight aggregate by normal sintering. (a) Bulk density. (b) Water absorption ratio.
(a)
(b)Figure9 shows the cross-sectional images of the artificial lightweight aggregate produced using the normal sintering method. The pore size was increased in the temperature between 1160 and 1180°C, where the bulk density rapidly decreased Also, it was confirmed that the pore was completely expanded in the fired aggregate at 1200°C, with a bulk density of about 1.1 g/cm3. In order to predict the bloating behaviors in the rotary kiln, a mass-production condition, the normal sintering method was used. As a result, it was possible to lighten the artificial lightweight aggregate, which did not form cracks outside the aggregate. However, at 1200°C or higher, the liquid phase is excessively formed on the surface and the structure tends to collapse, which is not suitable as the rotary kiln firing temperature.Figure 9
Microstructure image of the lightweight aggregate by normal sintering with a variation in output temperature.


### 3.4. Identification of Bloating Mechanism by Ramping Rate

According to the results found in the previous experiment, where the bloating mechanism was determined for each firing method, it was found that, when the discharge time for foaming gas before the surface densification and vitrification was controlled by the firing method, the microstructure changes, and bulk density and water absorption ratio characteristics of the lightweight aggregate also change as a result. In this section, the bloating phenomenon according to the ramping rate for specific regions from the previous experiment was identified.Figure10 is a graph of the ramping rate according to the firing schedule. The ramping rate was expressed using the least squares method, for each schedule with different firing conditions. For the range between A and E, the rate of temperature increase was over 35°C/min., and black core was formed in all specimens. However, for the range between F and J, the ramping rate was 27°C/min. or less, and micropores were developed which resulted in lightweight. Similar to the result from one of the previous studies, aggregates with a low water absorption ratio of 3% or less could be obtained.Figure 10
Heating rate graph with various firing conditions.Table4 shows the bulk density and microstructure fore different ramping rates. The bulk density decreased with the decrease in the ramping rate, when the ramping rate was 27°C/min. or lower, which is the rate at which the micropores are obtained. This is because even at the same firing temperature, a large amount of heat energy is required and therefore supplied, for bloating. This means that it is possible to manufacture artificial lightweight aggregate that has micropores and controlled water absorption ratio, when the aggregate is fired at a temperature ramping rate of 27°C/min. or lower.Table 4
Bulk density and microstructure with ramping rate.
No.
Firing conditions
Heating rate (°C/min)
Bulk density (g/m3)
Water absorption ratio (%)
Microstructure image of cross section
Bloating mechanism
A
600°C + 1180°C 10 min.
72
1.72
4.1
Black core
B
700°C + 1180°C 10 min.
69
1.75
3.8
Black core
C
800°C + 1180°C 10 min.
67
1.7
4.1
Black core
D
900°C + 1180°C 10 min.
64
1.51
5.1
Black core
E
900°C + 1180°C 20 min.
35
1.53
5.2
Black core
F
600°C + 1180°C 30 min.
27
1.53
2.5
Micropore
G
700°C + 1180°C 30 min.
26
1.52
2.7
Micropore
H
800°C + 1180°C 30 min.
25
1.51
2.1
Micropore
I
300∼1180°C normal sintering 40 min.
25
1.3
1.8
Micropore
J
300∼1180°C normal sintering 60 min.
16
1.32
1.7
Micropore


### 3.5. Bloating Index and Single Aggregate Crushing Strength of Aggregate

The bloating index (BI) was calculated as the volume changes after heating (prefiring + firing steps), according to the equation BI = 100 × (d2 × d1)/d1, where d1 and d2 are the diameters of the granules before and after heating, respectively [30, 31].The single aggregate crushing strength was measured by using the Universal Testing Machine (DS-001, Daeshin, Namyangju, Korea). The single aggregate crushing strength value (S) was determined according to the equation S = (2.8Pc)/(πX2), where Pc is the load at which a rupture occurs and X is the sphere diameter [32, 33]. The average single aggregate crushing strength was calculated from the tests performed on 15 granules.The bloating index and single aggregate crushing strength of aggregate were measured.There are three samples prepared for measurement:R: rapid sintering at 1100°C samplesD: two-step sintering at 900°C for 7 min, 1180°C for 3 min samplesF: two-step sintering at 900°C for 21 min, 1180°C for 9 min samplesThe results of BI measurement are shown in Figure11. As a result, the BI of the low-density R sample was the highest, and the BIs of the D and F were almost the same. When the same raw materials were used, the lower the density, the higher the expansion index.Figure 11
Bloating index (BI) of the sintering aggregate.Single aggregate crushing strength was measured and shown in Figure12. The strength of R aggregate was measured lowest, and D and F were measured similarly. This is similar to the density trend. Gonzalez-Corrochano et al. [31] showed that the crush strength of commercial structural aggregates was only 3 MPa, indicating that all aggregates of R, D, and F have a similar strength to those of commercial structural lightweight aggregates. Wie and Lee [34] also showed that the lower the density, the lower the single aggregate crushing strength.Figure 12
Single aggregate crushing strength test result.


## 3.1. Raw Materials

Table1 shows the results of the plastic limit (PL) and liquid limit (LL) of the raw materials. Moreno-Maroto et al. [28] classified clay by PI/LL. The PI/LL value of dredged soil was 0.43 and the value of 0.22 for the sample with 50% coal bottom ash. According to Moreno-Maroto and Alonso-Azcárate [28] classification, dredged soil is classified as silty clay or sandy clay depending on the content of sand, and it is a region where the formation is sufficient. The addition of coal bottom ash reduces the plasticity and turns into a soil with little toughness.Table 1
Plastic limit (PL), liquid limit (LL), and plasticity index (PI) of raw materials.
Items
PL (plastic limit)
LL (liquid limit)
PI (plasticity index)
Dredged soil
20
35
15
Coal bottom ash 50%
18
26
8
Dredged soil 50%Figure3 shows the XRD measurement results of the raw materials. Dredged soil consists of quartz, albite, muscovite, etc., which are easily observed in common soils. In the case of coal bottom ash, it was basically amorphous, and cristobalite and mullite phases were weakly observed. Table 2 shows the chemical composition of the raw materials. The results were plotted on Riley [14] and Cougny diagrams [29] (Figure 4). The dredged soil was found to satisfy both the Riley [14] diagram and the foam region of the Cougny [29] diagram. However, the amount of Fe2O3 was somewhat lower and appeared close to the critical region. In the case of B/A, both Riley diagram [14] and Cougny diagram [29] were not satisfied. The mixture of two raw materials (B/A 50 : D/S 50) satisfies the Riley diagram but not the Cougny diagram. Although the mixture does not satisfy both diagrams well, according to Dondi et al. [8], the use of waste as a lightweight aggregate can be lightened even if it deviates from chemical composition.Figure 3
XRD analysis of raw materials. (a) Dredged soil. (b) Coal bottom ash.
(a)
(b)Table 2
Chemical compositions of raw material.
Coal bottom ash
Dredged soil
Ig. loss
0
4.04
SiO2
62.03
71.00
Al2O3
25.40
14.24
Fe2O3
4.14
3.78
CaO
1.00
0.78
MgO
0.94
0.18
Na2O
0.08
2.49
K2O
3.23
2.67
TiO2
0.84
0.79
ZrO2
0
0
P2O5
0.12
0.03
Cr2O3
0.02
0
MnO
0.03
0
C
1.74
0
Total
100
100Figure 4
The raw material and the mixture are plotted in a triplet-state diagram. (a) Riley diagram [14]. (b) Cougny diagram [22].
(a)
(b)


## 3.2. Lightweight Properties of Artificial Lightweight Aggregate by Controlling the Reaction Rate

In this study, we tried to control the reaction rate of the foamed gas and the densification of the surface of the artificial lightweight aggregate. In order to control such conditions, the surface densification was maximized by using the rapid sintering method where the input temperature and discharge temperature are the same. Also, lightweight characteristic of lightweight aggregate was confirmed by controlling the amount of gas trapped in the aggregate by dividing the firing steps into two: controlling the amount of foam gas using the two-step firing method (1st step) and densifying the surface (2nd step). Furthermore, the foaming conditions and the trapping behavior applied to the actual process through the normal sintering method were confirmed, and the respective experimental conditions are shown in Table 3.Table 3
Experimental conditions.
Sintering
Input temperature (°C)
Output temperature (°C)
Sintering time (min)
Rapid sintering
1100
1100
10
1140
1140
1180
1180
Two-step firing
1120
10 (7′ + 3′)
600
1140
700
1160
20 (14′ + 6′)
800
1180
900
1200
30 (21′ + 9′)
1220
Normal sintering
300
1120
40
1140
1160
1180
60
1200
1220Figure5 is a graph of bulk density and water absorption ratio of an artificial lightweight aggregate produced by a rapid sintering method. Bloating was started at 1100°C, and it shows bulk density of about 1.2 g/cm3. With the increase of the firing temperature, the bulk density decreased and the water absorption ratio also decreased by 14%. As it can be seen from the cross-sectional image shown in Figure 6, the close pore tends to expand as the firing temperature increases. Also, black core is generated in all aggregates and crack is generated on the outside. This is because of the large amount of foam gas trapped inside the aggregate, which results from the surface densification, and high water absorption ratio was a result of the crack that was caused by the lack of viscous behavior on the surface, which is due to the deficient amount of the liquid phase on the surface.Figure 5
Physical properties of the lightweight aggregate by rapid sintering.Figure 6
Microstructure image of the lightweight aggregate by rapid sintering. (a) 1100°C. (b) 1140°C. (c) 1180°C.
(a)
(b)
(c)Figure7 is a graph of bulk density and water absorption ratio of an artificial lightweight aggregate produced by a two-stage firing method at different temperatures. Both bulk density and the water absorption ratio showed similar tendency when the 1st stage temperature was between 600°C and 800°C. Especially at the firing temperature between 1120°C and 1160°C, the firing tendency was observed and the bulk density was between 1.9 g/cm3 and 2.0 g/cm3. As the 1st step becomes longer, bulk density gets higher. This is because the organic matter or carbon which makes the reduction state in aggregate is oxidized and gas foaming does not occur in the 2nd step, and the water absorption ratio also tends to be the same. However at the firing temperature 1180°C which is the beginning of the liquid phase, bloating was started, and the bulk density was 1.1 g/cm3 at 1220°C. In case of the water absorption ratio, same as bulk density result, cracks did not occur, which resulted in the water absorption ratio of less than 10%, and at temperature higher than 1180°C, where liquid was formed on surface, the absorption rate was within 3%. However, for the aggregate that was fired for 10 minutes with the 1st stage temperature of 900°C, a high absorption rate was observed unlike the previous results. This is because unlike the aggregates fired at relatively low temperature, the surface capable of trapping the foaming gas is formed, and as a result, the black core is formed which leads to a formation of crack.Figure 7
Physical properties of the lightweight aggregate by 2-step firing with a variation in input temperature. Bulk density and water absorption ratio.


## 3.3. Identification of Actual Process Conditions by the Normal Sintering Method

During the production of artificial lightweight aggregate, firing is done at the rotary kiln. Therefore, because the artificial lightweight aggregate is fired while moving inside the rotary kiln from low temperature to high temperature, the two-stage firing method is divided into low-temperature and high-temperature regions. However, this is not sufficient to confirm the bloating behavior and the trapping behavior applied in actual process conditions. Consequently, the artificial lightweight aggregate was prepared by the normal sintering method, where mixture was input at 300°C, the input temperature of the rotary kiln used in an actual process, and fired to a desired temperature for a predetermined period of time.Figure8 shows the bulk density and water absorption ratio of the artificial lightweight aggregate prepared by the normal sintering method. The bloating does not occur at a temperature of 1120°C, indicating a bulk density of about 2.0 g/cm3. However, it can be seen that the bulk density gradually decreases with the increasing firing temperature. Also, it decreased rapidly between 1160 and 1180°C, to obtain a bulk density of less than 1.5 g/cm3, and weight reduction was possible. At 1200°C, a bulk density of about 1.1 g/cm3 was obtained. When the firing time was 60 minutes, the bulk density was higher than that of 40-minute firing. This is because the gas required for foaming flows out to the outside before the surface is densified, which is due to the longer baking time and longer calcinating time in the low-temperature region.Figure 8
Physical properties of the lightweight aggregate by normal sintering. (a) Bulk density. (b) Water absorption ratio.
(a)
(b)Figure9 shows the cross-sectional images of the artificial lightweight aggregate produced using the normal sintering method. The pore size was increased in the temperature between 1160 and 1180°C, where the bulk density rapidly decreased Also, it was confirmed that the pore was completely expanded in the fired aggregate at 1200°C, with a bulk density of about 1.1 g/cm3. In order to predict the bloating behaviors in the rotary kiln, a mass-production condition, the normal sintering method was used. As a result, it was possible to lighten the artificial lightweight aggregate, which did not form cracks outside the aggregate. However, at 1200°C or higher, the liquid phase is excessively formed on the surface and the structure tends to collapse, which is not suitable as the rotary kiln firing temperature.Figure 9
Microstructure image of the lightweight aggregate by normal sintering with a variation in output temperature.


## 3.4. Identification of Bloating Mechanism by Ramping Rate

According to the results found in the previous experiment, where the bloating mechanism was determined for each firing method, it was found that, when the discharge time for foaming gas before the surface densification and vitrification was controlled by the firing method, the microstructure changes, and bulk density and water absorption ratio characteristics of the lightweight aggregate also change as a result. In this section, the bloating phenomenon according to the ramping rate for specific regions from the previous experiment was identified.Figure10 is a graph of the ramping rate according to the firing schedule. The ramping rate was expressed using the least squares method, for each schedule with different firing conditions. For the range between A and E, the rate of temperature increase was over 35°C/min., and black core was formed in all specimens. However, for the range between F and J, the ramping rate was 27°C/min. or less, and micropores were developed which resulted in lightweight. Similar to the result from one of the previous studies, aggregates with a low water absorption ratio of 3% or less could be obtained.Figure 10
Heating rate graph with various firing conditions.Table4 shows the bulk density and microstructure fore different ramping rates. The bulk density decreased with the decrease in the ramping rate, when the ramping rate was 27°C/min. or lower, which is the rate at which the micropores are obtained. This is because even at the same firing temperature, a large amount of heat energy is required and therefore supplied, for bloating. This means that it is possible to manufacture artificial lightweight aggregate that has micropores and controlled water absorption ratio, when the aggregate is fired at a temperature ramping rate of 27°C/min. or lower.Table 4
Bulk density and microstructure with ramping rate.
No.
Firing conditions
Heating rate (°C/min)
Bulk density (g/m3)
Water absorption ratio (%)
Microstructure image of cross section
Bloating mechanism
A
600°C + 1180°C 10 min.
72
1.72
4.1
Black core
B
700°C + 1180°C 10 min.
69
1.75
3.8
Black core
C
800°C + 1180°C 10 min.
67
1.7
4.1
Black core
D
900°C + 1180°C 10 min.
64
1.51
5.1
Black core
E
900°C + 1180°C 20 min.
35
1.53
5.2
Black core
F
600°C + 1180°C 30 min.
27
1.53
2.5
Micropore
G
700°C + 1180°C 30 min.
26
1.52
2.7
Micropore
H
800°C + 1180°C 30 min.
25
1.51
2.1
Micropore
I
300∼1180°C normal sintering 40 min.
25
1.3
1.8
Micropore
J
300∼1180°C normal sintering 60 min.
16
1.32
1.7
Micropore


## 3.5. Bloating Index and Single Aggregate Crushing Strength of Aggregate

The bloating index (BI) was calculated as the volume changes after heating (prefiring + firing steps), according to the equation BI = 100 × (d2 × d1)/d1, where d1 and d2 are the diameters of the granules before and after heating, respectively [30, 31].The single aggregate crushing strength was measured by using the Universal Testing Machine (DS-001, Daeshin, Namyangju, Korea). The single aggregate crushing strength value (S) was determined according to the equation S = (2.8Pc)/(πX2), where Pc is the load at which a rupture occurs and X is the sphere diameter [32, 33]. The average single aggregate crushing strength was calculated from the tests performed on 15 granules.The bloating index and single aggregate crushing strength of aggregate were measured.There are three samples prepared for measurement:R: rapid sintering at 1100°C samplesD: two-step sintering at 900°C for 7 min, 1180°C for 3 min samplesF: two-step sintering at 900°C for 21 min, 1180°C for 9 min samplesThe results of BI measurement are shown in Figure11. As a result, the BI of the low-density R sample was the highest, and the BIs of the D and F were almost the same. When the same raw materials were used, the lower the density, the higher the expansion index.Figure 11
Bloating index (BI) of the sintering aggregate.Single aggregate crushing strength was measured and shown in Figure12. The strength of R aggregate was measured lowest, and D and F were measured similarly. This is similar to the density trend. Gonzalez-Corrochano et al. [31] showed that the crush strength of commercial structural aggregates was only 3 MPa, indicating that all aggregates of R, D, and F have a similar strength to those of commercial structural lightweight aggregates. Wie and Lee [34] also showed that the lower the density, the lower the single aggregate crushing strength.Figure 12
Single aggregate crushing strength test result.


## 4. Conclusion

In this study, experiments were conducted to confirm the bloating and trapping behaviors of artificial lightweight aggregate, and the results found were listed below:(1)
The mixture of coal bottom ash and dredged soil chemically satisfied the composition of Riley [14] and can be formed by using the extruder as renewable raw materials.(2)
Bloating by black core occurred at 1100°C with rapid sintering, and bulk density became 1 g/cm3 at 1180°C. However, since the absorption ratio was over 15%, the crushing strength of the lightweight aggregate was about 2.5 MPa which is relatively low strength.(3)
It was possible to control the amount of foaming gas by controlling the firing time and temperature in the temperature region located before the surface formation. Also, as the retention time increased, the tendency for micropore formation was confirmed, and the absorption ratio could be controlled by suppressing the formation of surface cracks.(4)
The prediction of bloating behaviors in the rotary kiln, a required condition for mass production, was possible, and a bulk density of 1.3 g/cm3, water absorption ratio of less than 3%, and crushing strength of 4.2 MPa at a temperature lower than 1200°C could be achieved.(5)
By graphing the ramping rate, using the least squares method, the black core formation was found with the rate of temperature increase over 27°C/min or over. When the temperature increase rate was 27°C/min. or lower, micropore formation was confirmed.



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*Source: 2647391-2019-04-17.xml*