Rheological properties of sewage sludge ash ceramic masses

Industrial wastes are widely involved in the building ceramic production. Sewage sludge ashes are promising secondary sources for building ceramics production. However, sewage sludge ash application for building ceramic materials production is limited by unsatisfactory molding properties. According to modern concepts, coagulation structure formation processes can be controlled by adjusting ceramic mass compositions by highly dispersed modifying additives. In this study, the drinking water treatment sludge filtrate generated in pumping and filtering stations was used as a highly dispersed additive. The purpose of study was to assess the drinking water treatment sludge filtrate effect on rheological properties of ash-clay molding mixtures. Using the photo sedimentation analysis, X-ray phase analysis, calorimeter method and parallel-shifting plate plastometry the drinking water treatment sludge filtrate additive effect on rheological properties of ash-clay mixtures was established. It was found that ash-clay mixture modification with the drinking water treatment sludge filtrate promotes a slow elastic deformations percentage increase from 3-17% to 7-34%. Apparently, this is due to the drinking water treatment sludge filtrate highly dispersed particles adsorption on coarse ash and clay particles that promotes the growth of their hydrophilic properties. Ash-clay mixtures molding properties improvement makes it possible to increase the ceramic blanks density.

Geotechnical Characterization of Water Treatment Sludge for Liner Material Production and Soft Soil Reinforcement

A water treatment sludge (WTS) was characterized in order to evaluate if its properties would be suitable for use as liner of earthworks or for strengthening a clay soil. A WTS and a clayey soil was characterized in terms of granulometry, cumulative volumes, specific surface, density, plastic limit, liquid limit, water content, hydraulic conductivity, and characteristics of compaction (optimal water content and dry density). This study aimed to exhibit and evaluate these investigated parameters of WTS, soft soil and mixed proportions between the materials for liners’ material production while evaluating soft soils’ reinforcement feasibility. The results have shown WTS’s contribution with its fine granulometry and compaction characteristics, indicating filling properties and possible feasibility as soft soils additions for liners’ material production while being applicable for soils‘ reinforcements, corroborating with existing literature on the subject. Thus, the currently developed investigation has exposed WTS as a potential addition for these applications while also attending society’s new demands towards a more sustainable future.