Development of Sustainable Construction Materials by Using Electroplating Waste Sludge
摘要
Growing social and economic pressures have revived interest in products that utilize waste as raw materials. Heavy clay materials, such as bricks, and concrete products like paving tiles and interlocking paver blocks, demonstrate a capacity to accommodate different types of waste, even in substantial proportions. This approach aligns with the circular economy concept, treating waste as a resource rather than a burden. By incorporating waste materials into construction material production, the industry can reduce its dependence on virgin resources and minimize its environmental impact. In essence, this shift towards sustainable practices is essential for the long-term viability of infrastructure development. The electroplating industry stands as a significant contributor to hazardous waste, earning its place among the 17 most polluting industries in India according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The waste sludge generated during electroplating processes contains various heavy metals like Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), and Lead (Pb). This poses a critical environmental challenge, as the leaching of these heavy metals raises concerns. Retrieving these harmful metals from the waste is both impractical and economically burdensome. This study aims to explore a solution by investigating the potential reuse of electroplating waste sludge (EWS) in production of different construction materials like concrete, bricks, interlocking paver blocks, etc. employing cement, clay and polymers as a binding agent by incorporating waste sludge at different proportions. To assess the viability of these modified construction materials, various tests, including compressive strength, water absorption, efflorescence tests, leaching tests, etc. were conducted as per BIS/ASTM/JSCE standards. The experimental findings suggest a promising avenue for the utilization of electroplating waste sludge, allowing for the incorporation of up to 60% of this waste material in production of construction materials. This not only addresses environmental concerns associated with hazardous waste but also highlights the feasibility of creating construction materials with acceptable properties through the reuse of electroplating waste sludge.