A novel aerogel from thermal power plant waste for thermal and acoustic insulation applications. (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duong, Hai M.; Ling, Nathaniel R.B.; Thai, Quoc B.; Le, Duyen K.; Nguyen, Phuc T.T.; Goh, Xue Yang; Phan-Thien, Nhan
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 124(2021)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: Aerogels -- Fly ash -- Thermal conductivity -- Thermal insulation -- Sound insulation; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.01.031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Coal fly ash from thermal power plant is converted into advanced aerogel material. Developed aerogels possess porosity up to 90% and compressive strength of 150 kPa. Competitive heat insulation capability to others commercial heat insulators. Competitive acoustic insulation capability to others commercial acoustic insulators. Abstract: Massive quantities of fly ash are produced worldwide from thermal power plants, posing a serious environmental threat due to their storage and disposal problems. In this study, for the first time, fly ash is converted into an advanced and novel aerogel through a green and eco-friendly process. The developed aerogel has a low density of 0.10–0.19 g cm −3, a high porosity of up to 90%, a low thermal conductivity of 0.042–0.050 W/mK, and a good sound absorption coefficient (noise reduction coefficient [NRC] value of 0.20–0.30). It also shows a high compressive Young's modulus of up to 150 kPa. Therefore, the newly developed fly ash aerogel is a potential material for thermal and acoustic insulation applications, along with lightweight composites in automotive and aerospace applications.