Stabilization of hazardous lead glass sludge using reactive magnesia via the fabrication of lightweight building bricks

Abstract

This study focused on the stabilization of lead glass sludge (LGS) using reactive magnesia (MgO) via the fabrication of lightweight building bricks. Two types of MgO with different reactivities were prepared by the thermal treatment of magnesium carbonate at 800 °C and 1200 °C (MgO-800 and MgO-1200, respectively). The fabrication of bricks and Pb stabilization were performed by wet mixing LGS with MgO followed by humidity incubation. Results showed that the Pb immobilization and performance of the produced bricks were strongly affected by MgO reactivity, curing time, and LGS–MgO weight ratios. Pb immobilization was performed by the transformation of soluble lead into an insoluble hydrocerussite phase, particularly in hydrated mixtures with high MgO content (> 25 wt%). Pb immobilization inside a magnesium silicate hydrate skeleton is the main mechanism in the hydrated samples containing 25 wt% MgO. To achieve “sustainability,” we recommend the use of a hydrated mixture containing 75 wt% of LGS and 25 wt% of MgO-800 in the production of building bricks because this mixture exhibits high compressive strength, high Pb immobilization, low energy demand, and low environmental pollution.