Physical and mechanical properties of clay sludge brick

Abstract

There are approximately 450 water treatment plants in Malaysia which produce potable water to consumers. During coagulation process, huge volume of sludge was produced particularly when turbid water was treated. The main objective of this work is to study the physical and mechanical properties of clay sludge brick. In this research, the sludge from the water treatment plant was used as clay replacement material in brick production. Several design mixtures of sludge and clay with different moisture content were used to prepare the brick. These bricks were fired at two different temperature (500°C and 900°C) before being tested for its physical and mechanical properties. Result shows that the presence of sludge in brick would increase the water absorption capacity of the brick. The water absorption was increased from 5.5% to 51% when the 60% (w/w) of sludge was incorporated into the mix. In term of burning temperature, higher temperature would improve the physical and mechanical properties of the brick. Based on the results, sludge from the water treatment plant shows huge potential as clay replacement in brick making process. Recycling the sludge from water treatment plants could solve the sludge disposal problem face by most of the plant operators.