Research Results of Municipal Sewage Sludge Applied for Building Material Production

Abstract

The study presents the experimental results on the use of ash obtained as a result of incineration of municipal sewage sludge from the water utility of Izhevsk, Udmurt Republic, for construction material production. Research methods are given and the results of strength tests of building material samples are given. The impact of the manufactured samples of construction materials on the ecology of the surrounding space and human health is assessed. To achieve the set objectives of the research laboratory experiment and determination of indicators of investigated values of sludge, ash and water extracts with the use of devices and measuring instruments are used. On the basis of the research laboratories of Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University and MUE “IzhVodokanal” of the Udmurt Republic experimental studies on incineration of sewage sludge and the use of the resulting ash as a substituting or modifying component of the construction mixture in the manufacture of experimental samples of ceramics, cement-sand mortar and concrete were carried out. Methodology of manufacturing and algorithm of ceramic (fired) and cement-based (nonfired) testing specimens are presented. Measuring means for determination of gamma-radiation intensity indices of ash, cement and their influence on human health are used. The algorithm of experimental research, applied energy-efficient techniques used in the experiment and analysis of the obtained experimental results are presented. The analysis of experimental research results of ceramic and cement-based products, as well as the analysis of radiation safety, migration of heavy metals is presented. The energy-efficient methodology of sewage sludge utilization and further ways of applying ash as an environmental and resource-saving component used in manufacturing of experimental building materials are considered.