COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF WOODFLOUR AND GRANULATED RICE HUSK ON THE THERMAL INSULATION OF TERMITE HILL CLAY

This research work covered the comparative effect of wood flour (saw dust) and granulated rice husk on the thermal insulation of termite hill clay. The raw clay samples were mined from the Federal University of Technology Akure Campus and processed. Likewise, the saw dust and rice husk were also processed and grinded. The clay samples and the additives were sieved to obtain 300 microns and were mixed in predetermined proportions of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 wt. %. Cylindrical samples were developed from the mixtures which were compacted and then air dried before oven dried and finally fired. The fired samples were subjected to selected tests to determine their insulation and refractory properties. These tests include porosity, linear shrinkage, volumetric shrinkage, bulk density, thermalconductivity, thermal shock resistance and cold crushing tests. It was discovered that the saw dust samples meet the ASTM standard for insulating bricks while the rice husk samples did not. Saw dust samples with 2 and 8 wt. % were ones with optimum properties.