Caracterização de lodo da estação de tratamento de água utilizado como agregado na construção civil em elementos de telhas vermelhas

Abstract

This study aims to characterize and evaluate the feasibility of using the sludge, from the Water Treatment Plant - ETA 006 Palmas - TO, Brazil, as a component of the ceramic body to manufacture red tiles. The sludge was characterized by physical, mineralogical and chemical analysis considering the different seasons of the year (wet and dry). Subsequently, test samples were produced with 0% to 10% of sludge and aspects of water absorption and flexural tensile strength were analyzed. The physical data showed that the sludge, regardless the period of the year, mainly consists of sand, it has low plasticity and density. Kaolinite is the dominant clay mineral in the sludge. The sludge has greater weight loss at a lower temperature, around 322°C. The sludge had chemical composition of predominantly SiO2 (silica), Al2O3 (alumina) and Fe2O3 (iron oxide). The sludge significantly influenced the tiles quality. The water absorption tends to increase significantly with sludge addition. However, the breaking load showed no significant difference with the addition of sludge, remaining within the required limits of NBR. Therefore, the results show that the sludge acts decreasing the plasticity, so a plastic ceramic mass is needed, and thus it can guarantee a good technical quality ceramic products production.