Insulating Refractory Bricks from Water Treatment Sludge and Rice Husk Ash

Insulating refractory bricks with different densities have been successfully produced from firing of sludge of water treatment produced from the water treatment plant at El-Kureimat power station (Giza, Egypt) and rice husk ash mixtures. Different batches from the sludge of water treatment (SWT) with varying amounts of rice husk ash (RHA) were well mixed, formed, dried, and finally fired at different temperatures ranging (800 – 1200°C). The filter pressed sludge was dried and fired at the same temperature range. The physico-mechanical properties of the fired specimens of sludge-rice husk ash batches and the filtered press sludge were investigated and evaluated. The results showed that the sludge of water treatment plant can be used successfully to produce high quality insulating refractory bricks for various thermal insulating applications.