1. Biosilica from Biomass Construction Material and Energy ChK Group, Inc
Biosilica from Biomass Construction Material and Energy ChK Group, Inc. Plano, Texas ACS National Meeting & Exposition Dallas, TX March 20, 2014
Rajan K. Vempati, Ph.D.
Prasad Rangaraju, Ph.D.
Antonio Nanni Ph.D.
Sridhar Komernini, Ph.D.
John Imhoff
Subbaraman Viswanathan, Ph.D.

2. Project Goals
Manufacture Amorphous silica from biomass (Biosilica) with multiple uses
Construction material in High Strength Concrete
Additive in paints, plastics & tires
Zeolite manufacture
Sustainable Product
Unlike Other Food Products used in Bio-Fuels. The Rice Production for Human Consumption Unaffected.
Generate Revenues
From Biosilica - a high value product
Sell energy as steam and power
Create Jobs

3. Biosilica Renewable Cementitious Material Rice Hull
Rice Field (Upland Cultivation)
Rice Hull
From Rice Mills

4. Supply of Rice Hulls Annual Capacities Area Rice Mill Capacity Supply
Agricultural Waste Generated from Rice Mills
Used as fuel for its caloric value.
Ash (black ash) with high carbon content is rejected as waste.
Off-white or white Biolica Supply Potential is high
Major competition – from silica fumes in Cement
Area
Rice Mill
Capacity Supply
Biosilica
Competition
From
Silica Fumes (*)
USA
10.5 Million Tons
0.4 Million Tons
60,000 Tons
Worldwide
550 Million Tons
20 Million Tons --
Annual Capacities
(*) Silica fumes is a byproduct with limited capacity
Silica fumes (Spellings) 4

5. Biosilica Premium Additive in High Performance Concrete (HPC) Value Chain for Biosilica
Rice Cultivation and Processing in Rice Mills
ChK Process
Biosilica Production and Power Generation
Biosilica to
HPC and Power to the Grid
Currently Rice Hull is sent to landfills at a cost
Black ash is not suited for HPC due to high carbon content
ChK Process unique features:
Biosilica Carbon content < 0.1%; NO graphitic carbon
Zero crystallinity
Produces process heat and power based on site requirements
No solid waste as inorganic matter in rice hull becomes Biosilica
Simple process easy to operate and control
Zero CARBON emissions and future carbon CREDITS

6. Zero Carbon - Feed BIOMASS
Rice Hull
Biosilica Plant O2
CO2
Photosynthesis
Rice Fields
Rice Milling Plants
Generates Rice Hulls
Rice Hulls
Biosilica
Atmosphere
Steam & Power

7. Rice Hull Properties Ash Composition (%) HHV Dry Basis 16.2 MJ/KG
[6,965 BTU/LB]
Moisture, W%
9.7%
Volatile, W%
66%
Carbon, W% MF
40.2%
Ash, W%
18.2%
Ash Composition (%)
SiO
Al2O
Fe2O
CaO
MgO
K2O % 7

8. Biosilica Properties Silica content: > 90 W% Type: Amorphous silica
Carbon Wt%: < 0.1 W%
Cristobalite: No crystalline matter
(verified in XRD and FTIR)
Major Uses:
Pozzolan additive to concrete; replaces 10 to 20% of cement
Produces ZSM-5 zeolite by thermochemical methods WITHOUT an organic template
Filler in paints, plastics and tires

9. Biosilica High Performance Cement and In Architectural Cement Unground Ground .

10. High Performance Concrete (HPC) Use to Mitigate Severe Erosion in Dams
Kinzua Dam in Pennsylvania
HPC used to mitigate severe erosion due to abrasion with water flow
DOING WELL AFTER HPC INSTALLATION IN 1983

11. Addition of Biosilica in HPC Results in Slower Curing and Higher Strengths (Increase by 35%)
Figure – Rate of Development of Compressive Strength in GBiosilica Concrete
Figure – Comparison of the 28-Day Compressive Strength of UBiosilica and GBiosilica Concrete

12. Bridge in Florida in US – 1 Highway
Bridges in Florida Corrosion concerns – State Government Specifies Addition of 8 to 9% Silica Fume in Concrete that Stands in Salt Water or Gets Splashed
Bridge in Florida in US – 1 Highway
Other applications for Biosilica in HPC
Parking lots in cold climates – subjected to severe chloride corrosion from salted roadways
High rise buildings that require HPC with high modulus of elasticity

13. Biosilica Substantially Reduces Chloride Permeability
Figure – Comparison of Chloride Permeability Values of Biosilica Concretes after 56-Day Curing

14. Durability Issues Corrosion – Most Prominent Problem
4/13/2017
Durability Issues
Corrosion – Most Prominent Problem
Alkali-Silica Reactivity (ASR)
Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF)
Sulfate Attack
Freeze-Thaw Damage
Prasad

15. White Architectural Cement
4/13/2017
White Architectural Cement
Prasad

16. Biosilica Use in ZSM-5 Production
ChK Process - patented
ChK has developed a process to minimize heating requirements without using any organic template
Synthesis conditions
Si/Al molar ratio of reaction mixture: 20 to 100
Temperature 190°C (could use 200 LB steam for heat up)
Crystallization time 36 hours
Seeding with up to 1% ZSM 5
Product is filtered washed and dried at 120°C.
For special applications, ZSM-5 could be calcined, as needed
Product ZSM-5 properties
Si/Al Molar ratios of 80 and above are easily obtained.
Carbon content of Rice Hull ash affects the type and quality of ZSM-5

18. Pilot Scale Rotary Calciner for BioSilica Manufacture
6 in diameter tube 20 FT long 3-Zone temperature control

19. Large (Commercial Scale) Rotary Calciner (Illustrative)
6 FT diameter tube
> 60 FT long
Heat input with a string of natural gas burners

20. Acknowledgements Dr. Harish, K.V. - Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Dr. Ferraro, R. M. - University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Dr. Ramesh Borade
Dr. Arun Bonapati
NSF SBIR Phase II Award Number: