In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing critical global issues of industrial waste management and sustainable construction, a research team at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, has developed an innovative solution.
The team’s research focuses on utilizing industrial by-products and waste materials, such as water treatment sludge (WTS), fly ash (FA), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), to create a sustainable and high-performance geopolymer.
- Key Issues:
- Managing industrial waste, especially WTS, is a global challenge.
- WTS generated globally: 100,000 tonnes daily. Conventional disposal methods are costly and environmentally harmful.
- Geopolymerisation Process:
- Silicon and aluminum in WTS, FA, and GGBS react with alkaline activators.
- Result: High-strength, durable alumino-silicate structure.
- Benefits: Reduced carbon emissions and energy consumption.
- Applications:
- Road Construction:
- Ideal for subgrade material, enhancing road durability in soft soils.
- Construction & Demolition (C&D) Waste:
- Applications include base layers for roads and paver blocks.
- Landfill and Petroleum Waste:
- Stabilizes landfill-mined fines and immobilizes hazardous metals in petroleum sludge.
- Road Construction:
- Testing & Safety:
- Mechanical Tests:
- UCS and CBR confirm strength exceeds cement-stabilized materials.
- Durability:
- Withstands extreme environments.
- Environmental Safety:
- Leaching tests meet (US Environmental Protection Agency) USEPA safety limits for heavy metal concentrations.
- Mechanical Tests:
IIT Guwahati’s research offers a sustainable alternative for construction materials and waste management. Innovations contribute to durable, eco-friendly infrastructure with minimized environmental risks.
