Reuse Water Treatment Sludge for Hollow Concrete Block Manufacture

Abstract

Problem statement: This research reuses the water treatment sludge from a water treatment plant to make hollow concrete blocks. The main objectives are to increase the value of the water treatment sludge from a water treatment plant and to make a sustainable and profitable disposal alternative for the water treatment sludge. Attempts were made to utilize the water treatment sludge as a fine aggregate in the concrete mix for hollow concrete blocks. Approach: This study presented the results of these studies on potential applications of the water treatment sludge for beneficial uses. A concrete block is used as a building material in the construction of walls. The concrete block construction is gaining importance in developing countries. Results: The results in this study showed that the water treatment sludge mixtures can be used to produce hollow non-load bearing concrete blocks, while 10 and 20% water treatment sludge mixtures can be used to produce the hollow load bearing concrete blocks. Economically, the 10 and 20% water treatment sludge mixtures can reduce the cost at 0.64 and 1.05 Thai baht per block, respectively. The 50% of water treatment sludge ratio in mixture to make a hollow non-load bearing concrete block can reduce the maximum cost at 2.35 baht per block. Conclusion: Finally, the production of the hollow concrete blocks mixed with water treatment sludge use as a fine aggregate in hollow concrete blocks, could be a profitable disposal alternative in the future and would be of the highest value possible for the foreseeable future.