Sains Malaysiana 51(12)(2022): 4071-4085

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2022-5112-16

 

Developing and Mechanical Properties of Low Fired and Geopolymer Bricks from Drinking Water Sludge with Different Contents of Added Fly Ash

(Pembangunan dan Sifat Mekanik Bata Suhu Rendah dan Geopolimer daripada Enap Cemar Air Minuman dengan Kandungan Berbeza Nilai Tambah Abu Terbang)

 

ZULFAHMI ALI RAHMAN*, AIFAHANA SYAMIMIE MOHD SUHAIMI, WAN MOHD RAZI IDRIS & TUKIMAT LIHAN

 

Department of Earth Science and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

 

Diserahkan: 12 Mac 2022/Diterima: 14 Ogos 2022

 

Abstract

Raw water treatment and coal-based power generation facilities produce a high level of waste to the environment annually. A low recycling scheme has worsened the situation and wastes usually end up in a landfill. Further environmental degradation could be prevented by re-utilising wastes for the production of alternative bricks. Additionally, the development of low-fired brick from wastes can comparatively reduce energy consumption during the firing stage. Geopolymer has successfully replaced ordinary portland cement (OPC) without bargaining its mechanical quality. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fly ash (FA) content and geopolymerization on mechanical characteristics of brick developed from drinking water sludge (DWS). A set of brick samples was fired at 500 °C while another set of samples was prepared under a high alkaline condition to produce geopolymer bricks. Resultantly, both sets of samples demonstrated a decrease in linear shrinkage and increased density with more content of FA. For fired brick samples, the water absorption decreased from 38.6% to 33.3% before rising again at 45% of FA content. However, a continuous decrease was displayed by geopolymer brick as FA increased. The compressive strength of fired bricks showed a decreasing trend as FA content increased and vice versa for the geopolymer brick. The compressive strength of geopolymer bricks increased from 1.22 MPa to 3.63 MPa at 45% of FA content. Comparatively, geopolymer bricks demonstrated higher strength than fired bricks. These results reflect the advantage of the incorporated wastes and geopolymerisation in developing alternative brick for sustainable resources and a better environment. 

 

Keywords: Compressive strength; drinking water sludge; fired brick; fly ash; geopolymer

 

Abstrak

Rawatan air mentah dan kemudahan penjanaan kuasa berasaskan arang batu menghasilkan tahap sisa yang tinggi kepada alam sekitar setiap tahun. Skim kitar semula yang rendah telah memburukkan keadaan dan sisa buangan biasanya berakhir di tapak pelupusan sampah. Kemerosotan alam sekitar selanjutnya boleh dicegah dengan menggunakan semula bahan buangan untuk pengeluaran batu bata alternatif. Selain itu, pembangunan bata berapi rendah daripada bahan buangan secara perbandingan boleh mengurangkan penggunaan tenaga semasa peringkat pembakaran. Geopolimer telah berjaya menggantikan simen portland (OPC) biasa tanpa mempertikaikan kualiti mekanikalnya. Penyelidikan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan kandungan abu terbang (FA) dan geopolimerisasi terhadap ciri mekanikal bata yang dihasilkan daripada enap cemar air minuman (DWS). Satu set sampel bata dibakar pada suhu 500 °C manakala satu set sampel lagi disediakan dalam keadaan beralkali tinggi untuk menghasilkan bata geopolimer. Hasilnya, kedua-dua set sampel menunjukkan penurunan dalam pengecutan linear dan peningkatan ketumpatan dengan lebih banyak kandungan FA. Bagi sampel bata yang dibakar, penyerapan air menurun daripada 38.6% kepada 33.3% sebelum meningkat semula pada 45% kandungan FA. Walau bagaimanapun, penurunan berterusan ditunjukkan oleh bata geopolimer apabila FA meningkat. Kekuatan mampatan batu bata yang dibakar menunjukkan trend menurun apabila kandungan FA meningkat dan begitu juga sebaliknya untuk bata geopolimer. Kekuatan mampatan bata geopolimer meningkat daripada 1.22 MPa kepada 3.63 MPa pada 45% kandungan FA. Secara perbandingan, bata geopolimer menunjukkan kekuatan yang lebih tinggi daripada bata yang dibakar. Keputusan ini mencerminkan kelebihan sisa yang digabungkan dan geopolimerisasi dalam membangunkan bata alternatif untuk sumber yang mampan dan persekitaran yang lebih baik.

 

Kata kunci: Abu terbang; bata bakar; enap cemar air minuman; geopolimer; kekuatan mampatan

 

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: zarah1970@ukm.edu.my

 

 

 

 

   

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