This work has for objective to characterize and to incorporate into a clayey body three types of wastes from the stage of sand collecting, decantation and filtration of a water treatment plant. The wastes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses as well as by sieving and sedimentation. The evaluated physical and mechanical properties of the ceramics, incorporated with up to 10 wt.% of wastes and fired at 700 ºC, were linear shrinkage, water absorption and diametrical compression. The results showed that the wastes from the decantation and filter have chemical and mineralogical compositions similar to clays, presenting clay minerals, aluminum and iron hydroxides, as well as mica and quartz. On the other hand, the waste from the sand collector is basically formed by quartz with traces of mica and kaolinite. The three types of wastes have potential to be incorporated into clayey ceramic. However, the sand waste from the sand collector in associate with direct benefits such as a better workability of the body as well as decrease of the fired ceramic linear shrinkage and water absorption.
characterization; sand; water treatment plant; sludge; properties; waste
