A critical review of various types of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) utilization in enhancing concrete and mortar properties

Ain Nadirah, Mohd Sufan and Md. Rezaur, Rahman and Khairul Anwar, Mohamad Said and Muhammad Khusairy, Bakri (2025) A critical review of various types of palm oil fuel ash (POFA) utilization in enhancing concrete and mortar properties. Journal of Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, 10 (124). pp. 1-24. ISSN 2365-3167

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Abstract

Palm oil fuel ash (POFA) is a type of palm oil waste that has a high composition of silicon dioxide (approximately 56%), which garners the focus of this critical review on its potential as a sustainable supplementary cementitious material (SCM). This review highlighted the benefts of grinding and heat treatment process to an untreated POFA that has enhanced both the chemical and physical characteristics of POFA through the reduction of carbon content, altering its color from dark grey to reddish grey, and directly improved its pozzolanic reactivity. Besides that, an ultrafne POFA with its fner particle size and greater surface area has been shown to increase compressive strength by facilitating accelerated cement hydration via a theory of nucleation and growth, and promoting pozzolanic reactions, contributing to enhanced ultimate strength development. The role of ultrafne POFA in cement hydration and its pozzolanic mechanism is also highlighted in the review. The overall quality of concrete is improved by integrating ultrafne POFA, as evidenced by increased durability, reduced drying shrinkage, and higher ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). Despite these promising outcomes, further investigation is warranted regarding the drying shrinkage, UPV, and mechanical properties such as fexural strength and elasticity of POFA-blended cement concrete. Additionally, future research should explore the performance of POFA-blended concrete under various temperatures and environments, as well as the incorporation of supplementary materials, such as fy ash, eggshell, and limestone powder which can further improve the properties of POFA in concrete applications. The environmental and economic benefts of utilizing POFA as an SCM, particularly its role in mitigating the carbon footprint associated with cement production, are also highlighted. While POFA demons.

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