Production of Briquettes from the Golden Horn Sediments under Thermal and Hydrothermal Conditions

This study is aimed to utilize of the Golden Horn (GH) sediments in briquette production after they were conveyed to a stone quarry in Istanbul, Turkey. Two different types of mixtures were prepared for hydrothermal agglomeration. In the first type, GH sediment and lime and in the second type GH sediment, lime, and quartz were mixed. For thermal agglomeration, GH sediment was used alone. First, physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of the GH sediments were determined. Then, the prepared briquette samples were agglomerated under 0.5, 1.0, and $1.5\mathrm{MPa}$ water vapor pressure for $4\mathrm{h}$ with the hydrothermal method in the autoclave and then under ${\mathrm{1,273}}^{\circ }\mathrm{K}$ constant temperature for $2\mathrm{h}$ in a thermal agglomeration oven. Density change of the briquettes as a result of agglomeration compressive strength were measured and the results of the mechanical data and x-ray analysis of sediments subjected to thermal and hydrothermal treatment are presented. Calcium silicate hydrate peaks were observed only at $1.0\mathrm{MPa}$ between 423 and $473\mathrm{K}$ in the first type of mixture and the highest compressive strength value $\left(27\mathrm{MPa}\right)$ was observed in briquettes prepared without quartz in the hydrothermal method at $1.5\mathrm{MPa}$ . This study showed that it is possible to produce briquettes from GH sediments and this will reduce environmental pollution.