Title: Effect of combustion temperature on the performance of sewage sludge ash based cement mortar

Authors: Piyush Tripathi; Debolina Basu; Priyaranjan Pal

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211004, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211004, India ' Department of Civil Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, 211004, India

Abstract: The paper explores the potential of reusing sewage sludge as a sustainable construction material, despite its higher organic content, as it presents a significant challenge in future management. In this study, the sewage sludge incinerated at different temperatures is partially substituted with cement to prepare the waste-replaced cementitious mortar cubes. The performance of the cubes prepared with suitable replacements of sewage sludge ash was analyzed on the basis of properties. The XRF results showed an increase in the silica content by 71.7% post incineration at high temperatures (up to 800°C). The results indicated that the optimum sintering temperature for SSA cementitious application was 800°C. The 10% replacement of cement with SSA obtained after calcinations of sewage at 800°C produced the best cement mortar properties compared to the other replacements. The results concluded that SSA alone cannot be used as cementitious material. It may be used with some other admixtures.

Keywords: chemical composition; compressive strength; high temperature; optimal condition; sewage sludge; waste recycling.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.148035

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.38 No.1, pp.102 - 132

Received: 01 Oct 2023
Accepted: 08 Dec 2023
Published online: 15 Aug 2025 *

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