Production of Lightweight Expended Clay Aggregate from Water Treatment Sludge and Cassava Sludge

Abstract

This research aimed to study the production of lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) from water treatment sludge and cassava sludge using thermal process. Significant factors were the ratio of water treatment sludge and cassava sludge (100:0, 90:10, and 80:20 by weight), burning temperature (800, 900, and 1,000 °C), and burning time (30, 60, and 120 min). Various physical and chemical properties of LECA were investigated to determine the optimal conditions. The results indicated that the most suitable conditions were a ratio of 80:20, burning temperature 800°C, and burning time 60min. Under these conditions, the properties of lightweight expanded clay aggregate were bulk density 0.75 g/cm3 , apparent porosity 64.44%, water absorption 64.82%, pH 6.77, and conductivity 176.63 µS/cm. It is concluded that lightweight expanded clay aggregate can applied as a moisture absorber in agricultural activities. Furthermore, this treatment of water treatment sludge and cassava sludge provides a user-friendly approach to waste utilization and a waste management.

Keywords

• expanded clay
• water treatment sludge
• cassava sludge