A review on the recycling and utilization of incense ash and its application in building materials
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/construction.v6i1.13437Keywords:
Incense ash, Resource utilization, Supplementary cementitious materials, Building materials, Pozzolanic activity , Sustainable developmentAbstract
As a solid waste produced in vast quantities each year, incense ash poses both resource inefficiency and environmental hazards under conventional disposal practices. In recent years, its valorisation in construction materials has attracted increasing attention. This review systematically integrates existing studies on the physicochemical characteristics of incense ash, its recycling and treatment technologies, and its applications in cementitious construction materials such as cement and concrete. The reviewed literature indicates that incense ash is rich in inorganic mineral constituents and exhibits notable pozzolanic activity, enabling its use as a supplementary cementitious material to partially replace conventional raw materials. Such utilization not only enhances certain material properties but also contributes to a reduction in production costs. However, its composition is highly influenced by the source materials in different countries/regions, and potential risks such as heavy metal contamination necessitate control through pretreatment. Future efforts should focus on promoting classified collection, standardized processing, and toxicity assessment of incense ash to facilitate its large-scale application in green building materials and contribute to sustainable development.
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