Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge

Abstract This study examines the applications of industrial waste residue and bentonite in treating sewage sludge. An industrial waste residue-based composite binder (IWCB) was formulated by integrating ground granulated blast furnace slag, desulfurized gypsum, and Portland cement. The optimal formu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Anhui Wang, Xidong Zhang, Zhangqian Wu, Wei Duan, Shaoyun Pu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11889-9
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849344754003738624
author Anhui Wang
Xidong Zhang
Zhangqian Wu
Wei Duan
Shaoyun Pu
author_facet Anhui Wang
Xidong Zhang
Zhangqian Wu
Wei Duan
Shaoyun Pu
author_sort Anhui Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study examines the applications of industrial waste residue and bentonite in treating sewage sludge. An industrial waste residue-based composite binder (IWCB) was formulated by integrating ground granulated blast furnace slag, desulfurized gypsum, and Portland cement. The optimal formulation for IWCB and the suitable quantity of bentonite were thoroughly ascertained through unconfined compressive strength testing of the solidified sludge, accompanied by analyses of heavy metal concentrations and chemical oxygen demand in the leachate. The factors affecting the mechanical properties and environmental safety performance of the solidified sludge were also assessed. The microscopic characteristics and solidification mechanism of IWCB–bentonite-solidified sludge were further elucidated. The findings indicate that IWCB substantially outperformed Portland cement in enhancing the strength of sewage sludge. The inclusion of bentonite significantly improved the mechanical strength and environmental safety of IWCB-solidified sludge, with an optimal bentonite content of 10%. Moreover, the addition of bentonite refined the pore structure of the solidified sludge and, together with the IWCB, boosted the compactness and mechanical strength of the sludge. This amalgamation also enhanced the stabilization of heavy metals and organic matter within the solidified sludge. These conclusions give valuable insights into the low-carbon solidification and reclamation of sewage sludge.
format Article
id doaj-art-b4c29a87d8a447908f1fa2054917e820
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-b4c29a87d8a447908f1fa2054917e8202025-08-20T03:42:36ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115112210.1038/s41598-025-11889-9Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludgeAnhui Wang0Xidong Zhang1Zhangqian Wu2Wei Duan3Shaoyun Pu4School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Huangshan UniversitySchool of Civil Engineering, Taiyuan University of TechnologySchool of Civil Engineering, Anhui Jianzhu UniversitySchool of Civil Engineering, Taiyuan University of TechnologySchool of Civil Engineering, Shaoxing UniversityAbstract This study examines the applications of industrial waste residue and bentonite in treating sewage sludge. An industrial waste residue-based composite binder (IWCB) was formulated by integrating ground granulated blast furnace slag, desulfurized gypsum, and Portland cement. The optimal formulation for IWCB and the suitable quantity of bentonite were thoroughly ascertained through unconfined compressive strength testing of the solidified sludge, accompanied by analyses of heavy metal concentrations and chemical oxygen demand in the leachate. The factors affecting the mechanical properties and environmental safety performance of the solidified sludge were also assessed. The microscopic characteristics and solidification mechanism of IWCB–bentonite-solidified sludge were further elucidated. The findings indicate that IWCB substantially outperformed Portland cement in enhancing the strength of sewage sludge. The inclusion of bentonite significantly improved the mechanical strength and environmental safety of IWCB-solidified sludge, with an optimal bentonite content of 10%. Moreover, the addition of bentonite refined the pore structure of the solidified sludge and, together with the IWCB, boosted the compactness and mechanical strength of the sludge. This amalgamation also enhanced the stabilization of heavy metals and organic matter within the solidified sludge. These conclusions give valuable insights into the low-carbon solidification and reclamation of sewage sludge.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11889-9BentoniteIndustrial waste residue-based composite binderLeaching behaviourMicroscopic mechanismSludgeStrength
spellingShingle Anhui Wang
Xidong Zhang
Zhangqian Wu
Wei Duan
Shaoyun Pu
Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge
Scientific Reports
Bentonite
Industrial waste residue-based composite binder
Leaching behaviour
Microscopic mechanism
Sludge
Strength
title Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge
title_full Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge
title_fullStr Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge
title_full_unstemmed Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge
title_short Application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge
title_sort application and evaluation of industrial waste residue and bentonite for solidification and stabilization of sewage sludge
topic Bentonite
Industrial waste residue-based composite binder
Leaching behaviour
Microscopic mechanism
Sludge
Strength
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-11889-9
work_keys_str_mv AT anhuiwang applicationandevaluationofindustrialwasteresidueandbentoniteforsolidificationandstabilizationofsewagesludge
AT xidongzhang applicationandevaluationofindustrialwasteresidueandbentoniteforsolidificationandstabilizationofsewagesludge
AT zhangqianwu applicationandevaluationofindustrialwasteresidueandbentoniteforsolidificationandstabilizationofsewagesludge
AT weiduan applicationandevaluationofindustrialwasteresidueandbentoniteforsolidificationandstabilizationofsewagesludge
AT shaoyunpu applicationandevaluationofindustrialwasteresidueandbentoniteforsolidificationandstabilizationofsewagesludge