Advances in production of value-added products from sugarcane straw ash

Abstract

This chapter describes how sugarcane straw ash (SCSA), an agricultural waste of sugar industry, was utilized for the production of value-added products. Samples of SCSA were used on synthesis of silica gel and zeolitic material by alkaline conventional hydrothermal treatment and fusion method. The effect of synthesis parameters was studied and the conditions optimized. The materials were characterized by XRD, XRF, SEM, FT-IR, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area techniques, particle size analyzer, TG/DSC and nitrogen physisorption. The presence of zeolites NaP1 and hydroxysodalite confirms successful conversion of native SCSA into zeolitic material. Furthermore, silica gel was prepared by using SCSA as sodium silicate source. Zeolitic material from sugarcane straw ash was examined by removal of dye from aqueous solution. The use of the sugarcane straw ash for production of silica gel and zeolitic material, value-added products, appears as an alternative and environmental friendly use of this byproduct, once it is an agricultural residue, that doesn't have another important use.