Characterization of eco-cement paste produced from waste sludges

In this study, marble sludge, sewage sludge, drinking water treatment plant sludge, and basic oxygen furnace sludge were used as replacements for limestone, sand, clay, and iron slag, respectively, as the raw materials for the production of cement in order to produce eco-cement. It was found that it is feasible to use marble sludge to replace up to 50% of the limestone and also that other materials can serve as total replacements for the raw materials typically used in the production of cement. The major components of Portland cement were all found in eco-cement clinkers. The eco-cement was confirmed to produce calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate hydrates during the hydration process, increasing densification with the curing age. The compressive strength (Sc) and microstructural evaluations conducted at 28 d revealed the usefulness of eco-cement. It was observed that the Sc data correlated linearly with the pore volume (P) data at 28 d. The proposed model equation could be represented as Sc = 178–461P (correlation coefficient, R2 = 0.96). Two parameters, the large capillary pore volume and the medium capillary pore volume, were evaluated using multiple regression analysis.

► Waste sludges as replacements for cement raw materials.
► We designed the cement moduli and sintering conditions for eco-cement clinker.
► We found all the major components of Portland cement in eco-cement.
► Experimental results revealed the engineering practicability of eco-cement pastes.