CERAMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF RAW MATERIAL WITH A HIGH CONTENT OF ORGANIC MATTER REDUCED BY COMPOSTING

Reference	Presenter	Authors (Institution)	Abstract
16-042	Carolina Del Roveri	Silva, B.F.(Universidade Federal de Alfenas); Damasceno, L.H.(Universidade Federal de Alfenas); Maestrelli, S.C.(Universidade Federal de Alfenas-campus de Poços de Caldas); Costa, R.B.(Universidade Federal de Alfenas); Del Roveri, C.(Universidade Federal de Alfenas); Guarda, A.L.(Universidade Federal de Alfenas);	The objective of this work was to analyze the process of processing a turfous raw material extracted from the Poços de Caldas region, Brazil, using the composting method to reduce organic matter, in order to use it in ceramic applications. The effective reduction of the organic matter content in this material would diversify its possibilities in ceramic applications, even allowing its use in refractory materials. In addition, the decrease of organic matter through biomineration by composting is a method never before used for this purpose, characterizing an innovation in the management of mineral resources, and it can be applied to other peaty raw materials. During the process, the raw materials used were divided into three distinct batches, one of the pure samples being preserved, adding ammonium sulfate to another and finally adding biomass in the third sample, aiming to encourage the activity of microorganisms degraders of organic matter (OM). The process lasted six months, and at the end of every two months, the amount of MO present in each sample was analyzed by the modified Walkley-Black method. With the studies carried out, it was possible to obtain during the stipulated period the maximum degradation of about 58.3 ± 5.7% MO in the biomass batch (TB), 53.9 ± 4.0% MO in the batch with addition of ammonium sulfate (TN) and 50.7 ± 4.9% MO in the unaltered batch (TP). After the verification of the efficiency of the procedure, the ceramic characterization was carried out, using the processed raw material. Ceramic formulations were produced with 100% untreated raw material, 100% treated raw material and 50/50 material treated with a standard raw material for use in the manufacture of refractories, currently used by local companies. The results, comparing the raw material under study with the standard clay, indicated that the beneficiation method applied is efficient, allowing the use of a material considered as waste in refractory applications.
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