Cement stabilization of industrial metal sludges

• Main Author: Poh, Shee Yean.
• Other Authors: Chui, Peng Cheong
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Environmental engineering::Waste management
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/14151
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The aim of this research is to find out the feasibility of turning the industrial metal sludges produced by companies Gul Technologies (Gultech) and Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M), into useful raw materials for construction products, as well as to study on the solidification and stabilization of the two types of industrial sludge. Solidification studies were conducted by encapsulating the metal sludges in cement-based concrete matrix. Tests based on a combination of each metal sludge with cement and partial replacement of sand were carried out to determine if the sludges are suitable for recycling into useful construction products. A total of seven mix proportions for the sludges were prepared for compressive strength and leachate tests. The specimens were wet-cured and tested for their 7-day, 14-day and 28-day compressive strength. Results showed that both Gultech and 3M metal sludges are unsuitable as a raw material for non-structural construction product as they failed to meet the minimum compressive strength requirement of 25MPa.