Title: Investigation on potential reuse of textile sludge as fertiliser and for preparation of solid blocks

Authors: S. Ramya; S. Shanthakumar

Addresses: Department of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, School of Civil and Chemical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore-632014, India ' Department of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, School of Civil and Chemical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore-632014, India

Abstract: Sludge management practices are more important and becoming global challenge for effective reuse and safe disposal of sludge. Common effluent treatment plant is a cost effective option for treating textile wastewater from various units which is facing problem in sludge management. Reuse of chemical sludge for construction purposes is a suitable alternative for waste disposal. This study examines characterisation of chemical sludge and the suitability of chemical sludge for replacing cement (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%) in preparation of solid blocks. The preparation and testing of solid blocks were carried out as per ASTM and BIS standards. It is inferred from the results that the maximum of 30% chemical sludge used in solid blocks meets all requirements specified in ASTM non-load bearing and BIS load bearing standards. Experimental results of bio sludge revealed that the soil with 1% bio sludge addition was more suitable for the plant growth.

Keywords: textile sludge; reuse; fertiliser; solid block.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2017.083967

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2017 Vol.19 No.2, pp.105 - 116

Received: 14 Jun 2016
Accepted: 25 Dec 2016
Published online: 28 Apr 2017 *

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