USE OF SLUDGE FROM SANITARY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS (S.T.P) AND THEIR USE AS RAW MATERIAL IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRICKS

This paper discusses a possible solution regarding the final disposal of sludge from Sanitary Sewage Treatment Stations (ET), aiming at environmental preservation. The solid waste generated after the wastewater treatment processes is highly contaminating and detrimental to the area in which it is deposited. Given this, the use of sludge with the application of reuse techniques becomes pertinent, both from the economic point of view and from the ecological point of view. By replacing the use of aggregates from mineral deposits, the main clay raw material in the manufacture of ceramic products (Vieira, 2000), by the treated sludge of WWTP we will save on the sources of granular materials. Aiming its reintegration to the production cycle through the introduction of sludge as raw material incorporated in the ceramic mass in the manufacture of hollow bricks, the viability of use was verified through performance analysis, compared to the control brick made of pottery, without the addition of sludge. Specimens were prepared with three types of samples: 90% clay and 10% sludge; 80% clay and 20% sludge; 70% clay and 30% sludge. Mass loss, water absorption index and compressive strength tests were performed. As for the tests, the specimens with 10% and 20% of sludge were the ones that had better adaptation to the technical requirements, but because it is a larger volume of the residue for the application of reuse techniques, the brick with 20% sludge dosage. is the most suitable. NBR7.171, November 1992: Ceramic Block for masonry; Specification NBR 6.461, June 1983: Masonry Ceramic Block - Compressive Strength Check: Test Method; NBR 8.947, November 1992: Ceramic Tile- Determination of Mass and Water Absorption: Test Method. As for the tests, the specimen with 20% of sludge was the one that had the best adaptation to technical and environmental requirements. The present article approaches a possible solution regarding the destination of the sludge coming from Sanitary Sewage Treatment Stations, aiming at environmental preservation. Aiming at its reintegration into the productive cycle through applications of reuse techniques, the sludge became raw material when the ceramic mass was incorporated into the brick fabrication. Three types of samples were elaborated: 90% of clay and 10% of mud; 80% clay and 20% sludge; 70% clay and 30% sludge. As for the tests, the test specimen with 20% of sludge was the one that had more adequacy to the technical and environmental requirements.