DETERMINATION OF THE SUITABILITY OF GROUNDNUT HUSK ASH AS A SOURCE OF FLUXING AGENT FOR GLASS MAKING

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Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Agricultural waste like Groundnut Husk Ash(GHA) generated can inevitably affect the environment by the emission of methane and leachate when rotten. The evaluation of the possible utilization of agricultural waste is important in not only protecting the environment but also in minimizing the cost of disposal, conservation of land for other purposes and reduction in the use of other raw materials. Groundnut husk Ash as a source of fluxing agent for Glass making was experimentally investigated using the ashes from groundnut husk sourced from Gumel, Kujama and Narayi in Kaduna State. The ash obtained from 100g of GH fromGumel, Kujama and Narayi was 2.00g, 2.20g and 1.80g respectively. The solubility test on each of the samples of GHA indicated that the ashes were fairly soluble in water. The XRF analysis carried out on the ash samples showed thatK2O as obtained on the samples from Gumel, Kujama and Narayi were 46.2%, 32.7% and 33.94% and the CaO were 34.5%, 26.8% and 30.9% respectively. The batches formulated corresponding to Soda Lime Silicate glass container composition (SiO2 70%K2O 15%, Na2O 2%, CaO 12%, MgO 1%, Fe2O3 0.03%) and test melted at about 13000C formed glass.10% solution of HCl(aq) was used for acid resistant test and 10% NaOH was used for Alkali resistant test. The test revealed the glass were resistant to both media and the densities of glass as obtained with the GHA samples from Gumel, Kujama and Narayi stood at 2.45gcm-3,2.47gcm-3,, 2.48gcm-3 respectively when measured. SEM analysis of the glass samples showed the external morphology while the XRD analysis showed a broad peak zone but absence of sharp Bragg‘s peak that signified the amorphous nature of the glass melts. From the result of analysis carried out on GHA and the test carried out on the formed glass, it has shown that GHA is a suitable source of fluxing agent for glass making.