Biopolymers

Biography

Biography: Mubarak Ahmad Khan

Abstract

Textile mill, the largest revenue earning industry in Bangladesh is facing problem with the disposal of its solid waste (sludge). In this study, textile sludge is detoxified with gamma irradiation (15 kGy) and then used to make environmental friendly bricks for construction purposes. Bricks were graded based on the sludge and clay content ratio. Sludge was mixed with clay and bricks were made in wooden frame. Dried brick samples were then kept at 450°C for 24 hours in furnace. Controlling the temperature allowed us to produce the brick without producing any NOx. Parameters such as density (g/cm³), weight loss (%), firing shrinkage (%),bending strength (MPa), , Bending modules (MPa), Impact strength (kJ/m²), water uptake (%) and electrical resistivity (Ω-m) were investigated. Density, weight loss, firing shrinkage and electrical resistivity reduced as sludge content (%) in bricks increased whereas bending strength, Bending modules, Impact strength and water uptake (%) increased with the increase of sludge content. The optimum results were found for the 50-50% sludge/clay samples. Further increase in the sludge percentage led to loss of strength and compactness of the brick sample. According to the results, the optimum sample showed higher strength than the sample made by pure clay; but showed slightly lower strength than the commercial brick. The change in density of all bricks was experienced during the aging tests in water, acid, alkali and salt. bending strength, Bending modules, Impact strength were also tested for water and acid aging. Morphological analysis of the brick samples were done by metallurgical inverted microscope.