Value-added recycling of sludge and sludge ash into low-carbon construction materials: current status and perspectives

• Published in: LOW-CARBON MATERIALS AND GREEN CONSTRUCTION 2023-09, Vol.1 (1), Article 23
• Main Authors: Xia, Yan, Liu, Yue, Wang, Lei, Song, Zhenhao, Sun, Chen, Zhao, Yading, Lu, Shengyong, Yan, Jianhua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2731-6319; 2731-6319
• DOI: 10.1007/s44242-023-00023-5

Sludge as the by-product of wastewater treatment usually accumulates toxic substances that require specific treatment before disposal. With the increase of sludge production, the safe and economic treatment of sludge has become a global issue. Construction filed provides a solution for consuming huge volumes of sludge and sludge ash owing to the similar chemical composition with cementitious materials. This paper critically reviewed the current status of recycling sludge and sludge ash into low-carbon construction materials and highlighted the future perspectives of sludge-derived construction materials. Furthermore, the immobilization mechanisms of heavy metals in sludge-derived construction materials were elaborated to promote the actualization of sustainable management of sludge and sludge ash. Graphical Abstract 污泥作为水处理的副产物含有大量的有毒有害物质，因此需进行特殊处理以实现其无害化处置与资源化利用。由于工业化与城市化的快速发展，污泥产量逐年增加，污泥的安全、经济、高效处理已成为全球性的挑战。基于污泥与水泥基材料相似的化学组分，建筑材料领域为污泥和污泥灰的大规模处置提供了出路。本文系统地综述了利用污泥和污泥灰开发低碳建筑材料的研究现状，并对污泥与污泥灰衍生建筑材料的发展前景进行了展望。此外，本文详细阐述了污泥中内源重金属在污泥衍生建筑材料中的固化稳定化机制，以实现污泥与污泥灰的可持续化管理。