Effect of biowaste and construction waste additives on mechanical dewaterability of lake sediment for brick production

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, when the zero-waste strategy is an inevitable component of the circular economy, the reuse of waste, including dredged sludges, has drawn the attention of many researchers. This study evaluated four kinds of bio-wastes (corn core powder, rice husk powder, sugarcane bagasse powder, and peanut shell powders) and two kinds of construction wastes (autoclaved aerated concrete-AAC and pavement stone) in enhancing the dewaterability of dredged sludge from the lake, in which the sludges would then be reused for brick production. The results showed that the moisture contents decreased from 62 ± 0.14% to 57 ± 1.89% after mixing and then to 35 ± 8.31% after compressing for the construction waste-blended sludge. Among the bio-wastes, the sugarcane bagasse additive performed the best at a mixing ratio of 1:3 by weight and rice husk powder worked best at a mixing ratio of 1:5 by weight. The organic matter was increased up to 80% when the bio-wastes were added, while it was decreased to 5% for the case of construction wastes. The optimum percentage of sludge in the mixture to meet all the oxide contents in the brick and energy saving shall be about 30%. The results have revealed a potentially green route for brick production with lake sediment and bio-waste/construction wastes.

Implications: It is the first time the reuse of agro-wastes/construction waste was evaluated to mix with lake sediment to partly replace clay for brick production; Among the bio-wastes, the sugarcane bagasse additive performed the best at a mixing ratio of 1:3 by weight; Moisture contents decreased from 62 ± 0.14% to 57 ± 1.89% after mixing and then to 35 ± 8.31% after compressing for the blended sludge; The optimum percentage of mixed sludge, possibly replaced the clay in brick production, considering oxide contents and energy saving shall be up to 30%.

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to express high acknowledgment to Science and Technology Program: Environment and Resources (Research project Grant No 01C-09/-2019-3) from the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam. We kindly thank Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Limited Company for sludge sampling during the project. The support in the lab of student’s scientific research group from Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (co-research group) was also appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Huyen T.T. Dang

Huyen T.T. Dang is an Associate Professor at Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE). She received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from HUCE in 2002. She did her post graduate study at University of Ottawa (Canada) and obtained her Doctoral Degree in 2009. Her research fields of interest are membrane technology, water and waste reuse, sustainable drainage and green building.

Lan T.N. Pham

Lan T.N. Pham is an Associate Professor at Faculty of Chemistry and Environment, Thuy Loi University. She received a bachelor’s degree in Hydrology and Environment from Thuy Loi University in 1993. She did her post-graduate study and achieved the Degree of Master of Science in Soil and Water Engineering at Karlsruhe University in 1996. She did her PhD study at Thuy loi University and obtained her Doctoral Degree in 2012. She is interested in doing research in some areas including water quality management; water and wastewater treatment; solid waste recycle and sustainable drainage.

Thuy T. Pham

Thuy T. Pham is an Associate Professor at Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science, Vietnam National University (VNU). She received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Hanoi University of Civil Engineering in 2003. She did her post graduate study at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) and obtained her Doctoral Degree in 2012. Her research fields of interest are water and waste treatment, waste utilization toward circular economy.

Huan X. Nguyen

Huan X. Nguyen is a doctor and researcher at Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science (HUS), Vietnam National University (VNU) since 2006. He received a bachelor’s degree in Soil science from VNU in 2002 and a master’s degree in Environmental of Sciences in 2012. He gained his Doctoral degree from VNU in 2020. He is interested in analysis of elements and materials in the Chemistry lab for environment-related research projects.

Nga T.H. Tran

Nga T.H. Tran is a doctor and researcher at at Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science (HUS), Vietnam National University (VNU) since 2004. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from VNU in 2004 and her doctoral degree in Biochemistry from VNU in 2010. Her research of interest is biochemistry technologies and environmental microorganism.

Khai M. Nguyen

Khai M. Nguyen is an Associate Professor at Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU). He received a bachelor’s degree in Biology from VNU University of Science in 1996. He did her post graduate study at Swedish University of Agricultural Science and obtained his Doctoral Degree in 2007. He is interested in environment, green technology and waste utilization.