Study of Incorporation of Fuel and Fluxing Wastes in Red Ceramics

Abstract

Red ceramic industries are among the most important recyclers of industrial and urban wastes. The clays’ heterogeneity allows the incorporation of several types of wastes, which can be classified as fuel wastes, fluxing wastes, and property-affecting wastes. The fuel wastes usually have a high amount of carbon-containing matter, that when heated cause exothermic reactions, releasing heat to the process. The fluxing wastes cause a reduction in the ceramic melting points. The main objective of this work was to study the behavior of ceramics incorporated with fuel wastes (Eichhornia crassipes dry biomass) and fluxing wastes (granite) as well as blends of both wastes. Different compositions were prepared with incorporation of different percentages of these wastes into red ceramics, shaped by uniaxial pressing and fired at 850 and 1050 °C. The technological properties tested were apparent dry density, linear shrinkage, water absorption, and flexural rupture strength. Results indicate that incorporation of these wastes into red ceramics is viable, which can significantly improve the evaluated properties of the ceramics, but the quantity and the firing temperature must be controlled.