Utilization of Fish Scale powder as a Cement Replacement in Self Compacting Concrete

Abstract

The invention relates to a novel method for producing sustainable self-compacting concrete (SCC) by utilizing Fish Scale Powder (FSP) as a partial replacement for cement. This innovative approach addresses the increasing demand for environmentally friendly construction materials by repurposing fish scales, a biowaste product, thereby reducing the reliance on traditional cement and mitigating its associated carbon emissions. The method involves processing fish scales into a fine powder, which is then incorporated into SCC formulations at 2% to 6% substitution ratios. The resulting concrete exhibits enhanced rheological properties, workability, and durability while maintaining its self-compacting nature. Additionally, the use of FSP improves the mechanical performance of the concrete and contributes to sustainability by minimizing industrial waste and reducing the carbon footprint of construction practices. This invention offers a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative for modern concrete applications.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] This invention focuses on sustainable construction by developing alternative cementitious materials and incorporating organic waste to enhance concrete performance, particularly self-compacting concrete (SCC). It integrates waste management to reduce the environmental impact of traditional concrete in civil infrastructure and building materials.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[002] Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials globally, with cement serving as its primary binder. However, the production of cement is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 8% of global CO₂ emissions. As environmental concerns and the depletion of natural resources intensify, there is an urgent need to develop alternative materials that can reduce the environmental footprint of concrete production while maintaining or improving its performance. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable type of concrete that spreads under its own weight, eliminating the need for mechanical vibration during placement. While SCC offers superior workability and durability compared to conventional concrete, its production still relies heavily on cement, thus contributing to the environmental issues associated with cement manufacturing. In recent years, significant research has focused on incorporating waste materials such as fly ash, silica fume, and ground granulated blast furnace slag as partial cement replacements in concrete. These efforts aim to enhance sustainability by reducing the consumption of virgin materials and utilizing industrial by-products. However, there is limited exploration of organic waste materials, particularly biowaste, as viable alternatives for cement replacement. Fish scales, a by-product of the seafood industry, are typically disposed of as waste. Comprising largely of hydroxyapatite, collagen, and minerals, fish scales have the potential to act as a cementitious material when processed into a fine powder. Although research into the use of organic materials like fish scales in concrete is limited, the potential exists for them to not only improve the mechanical properties of concrete but also address sustainability issues in construction.
[003] Fly Ash, Slag, and Silica Fume as Cement Replacements: Various studies and patents have explored the use of industrial by-products such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and silica fume in concrete. These materials have been shown to improve the mechanical properties and durability of concrete while reducing cement consumption. However, their use does not address biowaste management or provide solutions for organic waste.
[004] Organic Waste in Concrete: Some preliminary studies have explored the use of biowaste materials, such as rice husk ash and palm oil fuel ash, as supplementary cementitious materials. However, the focus on marine biowaste, particularly fish scales, remains underexplored.
[005] Sustainable Concrete Development: Patents have been filed for sustainable concrete that incorporates recycled materials, industrial by-products, and chemical additives to reduce cement content. Nevertheless, none have specifically focused on the use of fish scale powder in self-compacting concrete formulations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[006] This invention presents a novel approach to producing sustainable self-compacting concrete (SCC) by utilizing Fish Scale Powder (FSP) as a partial cement replacement. The method involves processing fish scales, a biowaste by-product of the seafood industry, into a fine powder and incorporating it into SCC formulations at 2%, 4%, 6% varying substitution ratios. Fish scales, rich in hydroxyapatite and minerals, offer cementitious properties that enhance the performance of the concrete. The primary benefits of incorporating FSP into SCC include improved rheological behaviour, workability, and durability, while maintaining the self-compacting nature of the concrete. In addition to offering superior mechanical performance, the use of FSP significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional cement production by lowering CO₂ emissions and promoting the reuse of organic waste materials. This innovation not only addresses the global need for sustainable construction materials but also provides a cost-effective, environmentally responsible alternative that contributes to circular economy practices in the construction industry. The method supports the dual goals of reducing industrial waste and minimizing the carbon footprint of cement production, making it a practical solution for modern, green construction applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS:
[007] The fish scale is been collected from the fish scale sorter. After the collection the fish scales, it is thoroughly cleaned to remove any impurities. The cleaned fish scales are then sundried and then oven dried at a temperature of 100℃ to 150℃ for a duration of 2h. Then the oven dried fish scales are grinded in ball mill and sieved in 90µ, the material passing this is collected.
[008] The process of developing and evaluating self-compacting concrete (SCC) using a combination of cementitious materials, bio-materials (fish scale powder), fine and coarse aggregates, superplasticizer, and water. The process begins with the collection and extraction of materials as mentioned above, followed by testing to ensure their suitability for SCC. A mix design is then created with respect to Indian standards IS 10262:2019, determining the appropriate proportions of these materials. Once the SCC is prepared, rheological tests like slump flow, T50, L-Box test, V-Funnel, J-ring Test are conducted to assess its flowability and self-compacting properties. After batch mixing, the concrete is cast and cured, allowing it to develop strength and durability. Various tests are performed to evaluate its mechanical properties, durability, and microstructure. Finally, a cost analysis is conducted to determine the economic feasibility of using bio-materials in SCC compared to traditional methods.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[009] This invention relates to the development of an environmentally sustainable self-compacting concrete (SCC) by utilizing Fish Scale Powder (FSP) as a partial replacement for cement. The approach addresses two primary challenges in modern construction: the reduction of cement consumption to lower CO₂ emissions and the beneficial reuse of biowaste materials. By incorporating FSP into the SCC mix, the invention achieves enhanced performance characteristics, improved sustainability, and cost-effective production.
[010] The fish scales, a waste by-product of the seafood industry, are collected, cleaned, and processed into fine powder. The processing involves the following steps:
[011] The raw fish scales are thoroughly washed to remove impurities such as salts, organic residues, and oils. After washing, they are dried at a controlled temperature of 100℃ to 150℃ in a oven to prevent degradation of their chemical structure. Once dried, the fish scales are ground into a fine powder using mechanical grinding equipment. The powder is then sieved to achieve a particle size similar to that of cement (usually around 90 microns). This ensures that FSP can interact effectively with other components in the SCC mix. Fish scales primarily contain hydroxyapatite (a calcium phosphate mineral) and organic components like collagen. The mineral composition allows FSP to exhibit cementitious properties when incorporated into concrete, contributing to the hydration process and the overall strength of the mix.
[012] Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) serves as the primary binder in the SCC mix. Fly ash is also been used at 30% by weight of cement as other cementitious material and FSP replaces a portion of the cement, typically ranging from 2% to 6% by weight of cement. Fish Scale Powder is introduced at varying substitution ratios (2%,4%,6%) to study the effects on concrete performance. Fine and Coarse Aggregates are used in typical proportions that is 60:40 to ensure the structural integrity of the concrete. The water-cement ratio is maintained between 0.40 and 0.55 to achieve the desired flowability and strength characteristics of SCC. To further enhance the flow properties of SCC, superplasticizers are added to reduce the water content while maintaining workability.
[013] The SCC mix is prepared by thoroughly combining the dry components such as cement, fly ash, FSP, and aggregates before adding water and superplasticizers. The following steps outline the mixing procedure:
[014] The FSP, cement, fly ash and aggregates are mixed together in a mechanical mixer to ensure a uniform distribution of materials. Water and superplasticizers are then added to the dry mix. The mixing continues until the desired flowability and homogeneity of the concrete are achieved. Finally, workability parameters are been checked such as Slump flow, T50, L-box, V-Funnel, J-ring test. A slump flow test is conducted to ensure the concrete meets the self-compacting criteria, which typically requires a slump flow value between 600 mm and 800 mm as per the Indian Standard code.
[015] Once mixed, the SCC containing FSP is poured into formwork without the need for vibration. Due to its self-compacting nature, the concrete spreads and fills the formwork by gravity alone, ensuring a smooth surface finish and uniform density. The curing process is crucial to achieving the final strength and durability of the concrete. The concrete is cured under standard conditions, for a minimum period of 7 to 28 days.
[016] Incorporating FSP as a cement replacement in SCC enhances both the environmental and mechanical properties of the concrete. Key performance indicators include:
[017] Rheology: The use of FSP improves the workability and flowability of SCC, allowing it to achieve the desired slump flow without segregation or bleeding.
[018] Mechanical strength: At optimal substitution ratios that is at 2% by weight of cement, the compressive and tensile strength of the SCC remains comparable or superior to traditional SCC. FSP contributes to the formation of a denser microstructure, improving the load-bearing capacity of the concrete.
[019] Durability: SCC containing FSP exhibits improved durability characteristics, including reduced permeability and enhanced resistance to chloride ion penetration, making it suitable for aggressive environments.
[020] Environmental benefits: By replacing a portion of cement with FSP, the overall carbon footprint of the concrete is reduced, contributing to more sustainable construction practices. , C , Claims:1. A method for producing self-compacting concrete (SCC) incorporating fish scale powder (FSP) as a partial replacement for cement along with fly ash, the method comprising: Mixing the fish scale powder with cement, fly ash, fine aggregates, coarse aggregates, water, and optionally, chemical admixtures, to form a concrete mixture.
2. The method according to above, wherein the fish scale powder (FSP) is used to replace between 2% to 6% by weight of cement in the concrete mix.
3. The method according to above, wherein the self-compacting concrete containing fish scale powder demonstrates enhanced mechanical properties, including compressive strength, tensile strength, and durability, compared to conventional SCC and also improved durability characteristics of the concrete, including reduced permeability and increased resistance to chloride ion penetration.
4. A self-compacting concrete composition, comprising: Cement; Fly Ash; Fish scale powder (FSP) as a partial replacement for cement in an amount ranging from 2% to 6% by weight; Fine and coarse aggregates; Water; and optionally, chemical admixtures to enhance flowability and performance.
5. The method according to above, wherein the fish scale powder provides a solution for managing biowaste from the seafood industry by repurposing it into construction material.

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