Application of water treatment plant sludge in ceramic material production

State of the art

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46421/euroelecs.v6.7993

Keywords:

State of the art, Sludge, Water treatment plant, Ceramics

Abstract

The rapid expansion of urban activities has led to a significant increase in the generation of sludge from water treatment plants (WTPS), whose final disposal poses environmental, technical, and economic challenges. Limitations related to landfill availability and the high costs associated with waste disposal have driven the search for more sustainable alternatives, among which the reuse of WTPS in the construction industry stands out, particularly in ceramic material production. This study aims to discuss the state of the art regarding the application of WTPS in ceramics, compiling and analyzing major scientific advances, knowledge gaps, and future prospects. The adopted methodology is descriptive and qualitative, based on a literature review of scientific publications from 1990 to September 2023. The review focused on relevant studies that explore the use of WTPS in binary mixtures with clay and/or other residues. Results indicate that the partial replacement of clay with WTPS, especially in proportions up to 20%, can improve the properties of ceramic materials, highlighting it as a feasible alternative for both waste management and the supply of construction inputs.

Author Biographies

Marcos David dos Santos, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. PhD candidate at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Recife - PE, Brazil).

Adolpho Guido de Araújo, Universidade de Pernambuco

PhD in Civil Engineering from Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Assistant Professor at Universidade de Pernambuco (Recife - PE, Brazil).

Marina Cartaxo Braga Morais de Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Master’s student in Civil Engineering at the Graduate Program in Civil Engineering of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Recife - PE, Brazil).

Tacila Bertulino de Souza, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. PhD student at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Recife - PE, Brazil).

Arnaldo Manoel Pereira Carneiro, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

PhD in Civil Engineering from Universidade de São Paulo. Full Professor at Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Recife - PE, Brazil).

References

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Published

30-09-2025

How to Cite

Santos, M. D. dos, Araújo, A. G. de, Oliveira, M. C. B. M. de, Souza, T. B. de, & Carneiro, A. M. P. (2025). Application of water treatment plant sludge in ceramic material production: State of the art. Latin American and European Meeting on Sustainable Buildings and Communities, 6(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.46421/euroelecs.v6.7993