Sewerage sludge – A new raw material for cement production?

Effect of P2O5 and chloride on clinkering reaction

Korean ceramics researchers have recently investigated the potential for using sewerage sludge in cement production. Their research looks at the possibility of effective reutilization of sewage sludge into cement kiln processes. They describe their findings in the online materials science journal AZojomo*.

Increasing environmental regulations on marine dumping means new disposal methods must be found for sewerage sludge. The use of sewage sludge as a raw material for the production of cement is an effective method, since the organic components may serve as fuel while the inorganic components such as SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3 components offer as the raw material for the clinker. However, one of the obstacles to this application to cement kilns is the relatively high P2O5 and Cl content in sewage sludge.

In this study the effect of P2O5 and chloride on clinker reaction is investigated.