College of Engineering

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Browsing College of Engineering by Author "ADEKEYE, MOYINOLUWA SOLOMON"

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    PRODUCTION OF REFRACTORY BRICKS FROM TERMITE MOUND
    (2025-09-09) ADEKEYE, MOYINOLUWA SOLOMON
    ABSTRACT Refractory bricks are widely used in various industries such as steel, construction, and agriculture. Refractories are typically classified into two groups based on porosity: dense and porous refractories. Porous refractories constitute a significant category and are commonly employed in industrial applications due to their excellent thermal insulation properties and lightweight nature. Porosity is usually achieved by introducing combustible materials into the raw material mixture. This study investigated the utilization of Abeokuta termite mound for the production of refractory bricks using rice husk as a pore-forming agent. The termite mound was sourced from an area near the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, while rice husk was obtained from Oshodi Market. The termite mound was crushed, ground, sieved, and characterized to determine its mineralogical and chemical compositions. Refractory bricks were produced from the termite mound with rice husk contents of 0% and 16% serving as the pore former. The bricks were oven-dried at 105 °C for six hours and subsequently fired at 1000 °C. The physical properties of the produced bricks—specific gravity (SG), apparent density (AD), bulk density (BD), water absorption (WA), apparent porosity (AP), thermal shock resistance (TSR), linear shrinkage (LS), compressive strength (CS), and refractoriness were evaluated. The results revealed that the main chemical constituents of the termite mound were 65.77% silica and 18.48% alumina. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis showed a homogeneous microstructure with fine grain distribution. The refractoriness values obtained were 1300 °C for bricks without rice husk and 1520 °C for bricks containing 16% rice husk. Similarly, the values of SG were 1.97 and 1.73; CS were 4.75 and 4.56 N/mm²; AP were 33% and 57.5%; BD were 1.781 and 0.8 g/cm³; WA were 16% and 24.7%; and LS were 4.0% and 6.0% for 0% and 16% rice husk contents, respectively. All measured parameters were within the acceptable ranges specified by international standards for refractory bricks. The standard ranges include BD (1.0–2.1 g/cm³), SG (1.8–2.5), TSR (10–24 cycles), LS (≤4.0%), AP (30–60%), WA (13.4–27.6%), and refractoriness (≥1400 °C). The thermal shock resistance decreased from 24 to 16 cycles with an increase in rice husk content. The relatively high alumina content in the Abeokuta termite mound enhanced the refractoriness of the bricks, increasing it from 1300 °C at 0% rice husk to 1520 °C at 16% rice husk. Overall, compressive strength, apparent porosity, water absorption, and refractoriness increased with increasing rice husk content, while specific gravity, bulk density, and thermal shock resistance decreased. This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing refractory bricks from termite mound material, highlighting its potential as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative for refractory brick production. The use of locally available resources and agricultural waste materials not only improves material performance but also contributes to environmental sustainability.