USE OF ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR DUST FROM SPONGE IRON PLANTS AS AN ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL FOR BUILDING BRICKS

Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) dust is a major solid waste from sponge iron industries. This study reports the utilization of ESP dust in combination with gypsum, lime and cement for manufacture of building bricks. ESP-L-G (ESP+Lime+Gypsum) brick achieved highest compressive strength of 210KN on 25 th day and ESP-C (ESP+Cement) brick had the value of 180KN on 19 th day of curing. The water absorption capacity (<20%) and average weight per brick (3.15Kg) indicated their superiority to burnt clay bricks. The TCLP studies indicated presence of negligible amount of heavy metals in the ESP bricks. The results indicated the potentiality of these bricks for multistoried construction because of their high compressive strength and light weight.