Enhancement of the Shear Strength of Wastewater Residuals Using Industrial Waste By-Products
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 11
Abstract
The engineering properties of wastewater residuals (biosolids) can be improved by using waste by-products from local industries. Dewatered biosolids from a wastewater-treatment plant in New Zealand were mixed, on the basis of the dry weight of biosolids, with 30%, 40%, and 50% of fly ash, lime kiln dust (LKD), and two slags [kontinous oxygen blast maxite (KOBM) and work debris (WD)], respectively, together with 0%, 10%, or 20% lime. Changes in the shear strength, measured by using a shear vane and triaxial tests, were obtained after 2 and 8 weeks of curing time. The pH of solids was measured and X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analyses were performed to determine the mineral and elemental composition of the material. The strain-rate dependency of the strength of biosolids was investigated by performing triaxial tests at different strain rates. The test results yield a logarithmic relation between strain rate and shear strength. Vane strengths of biosolids were found to be a factor of 1.8 higher than the triaxial results. The best performing additives are fly ash in combination with 10% and 20% lime, all LKD mixtures, KOBM with 10% and 20% lime, and WD with 20% lime. These mixtures showed a shear strength equal to or higher than that of biosolids, with 20% lime and a high pH () after 8 weeks.
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Acknowledgments
The study was funded by Watercare Services Ltd. Claudia Kayser received a Technology for Industry Fellowship from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, New Zealand.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 11 • November 2011
Pages: 1002 - 1011
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 7, 2010
Accepted: May 10, 2011
Published online: May 12, 2011
Published in print: Nov 1, 2011
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