http://pubs.acs.

org/journal/acsodf Article

Sustainable Use of Marble Waste in Industrial Production of Fired

Clay Bricks and Its Employment for Treatment of Flue Gases
Shehbaz Ahmad, Mansoor Ul Hassan Shah, Asmat Ullah, Syed Nasir Shah,* Muhammad Saad Rehan,
Irfan Ahmed Khan, and Muhammad Imran Ahmad*
Cite This: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279 Read Online

ACCESS Metrics & More Article Recommendations *

sı Supporting Information
See https://pubs.acs.org/sharingguidelines for options on how to legitimately share published articles.

ABSTRACT: In the current study, waste marble powder was utilized to produce
lightweight fired clay bricks and in the treatment of flue gases. Marble waste
powder used in clay bricks and flue gas treatment was collected from local marble
Downloaded via 196.191.48.240 on August 31, 2021 at 17:17:16 (UTC).

processing plants, and its chemical composition was analyzed using energy-
dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray fluorescence. Clay bricks were produced in
local fired clay brick kiln by partial replacement (10−40%) of clay with calcined
and uncalcined waste marble powder. The temperature in the firing zone of the
kiln was 1000−1100 °C. Clay brick properties such as compressive strength, bulk
density, porosity, and water absorption were analyzed. Results show that the
porosity of clay bricks increases with an increase in marble waste percentage, and
due to an increase in porosity, water absorption of clay bricks also increases, while
compressive strength and bulk density decrease. Clay bricks with 10% uncalcined
marble waste and 20% calcined marble waste satisfy the required Turkish and
European compressive strength standard. Marble waste decreases the concen-
tration of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter in flue gases. There is up to 43 and 65% reduction in the concentration of sulfur
dioxide and particulate matters, respectively, in flue gases, after treatment with marble waste. The addition of marble waste to clay
bricks is an effective and economical solution for waste marble powder management. Furthermore, it can be used for the treatment
of flue gases from brick kilns before its addition to clay bricks.

1. INTRODUCTION the appropriate method for disposal of waste marble, they

The utilization of unmanaged solid waste is a huge environ- dump marble waste in open lands or discharge it with water.16
mental concern for many countries. Therefore, different studies Marble sludge destroys agricultural land due to its alkaline
have been performed to find an economical and environ- nature, thus affecting crop production, and it is also a cause of
mentally friendly solution for solid wastes. The utilization of water and airborne diseases.17 Therefore, it is need of the hour
solid wastes in the construction material has gained a lot of to utilize marble waste to minimize its harmful effects on the
attention in recent years. Different wastes such as rice husk and environment. The addition of marble waste to fired clay bricks
bagasse ash,1−3 fly ash,4 waste sludge,5 glass industry waste,6,7 is an economical and effective solution to control soil erosion
marble waste,8 paper sludge,9 steel slag,10 and boron waste11 and marble waste utilization.
In previous studies, the addition of marble waste to clay
have been used in clay bricks, and results have shown
bricks has shown a fall in compressive strength and an increase
enhancement in brick properties. According to ref 6,
in the porosity of clay bricks.8,14 Fired clay bricks incorporating
mechanical properties of clay bricks were improved when
marble waste have shown an increase in thermal conductiv-
waste glass was used as an additive in clay bricks. The addition
ity.14 However, in previous studies, raw marble waste was used
of different industrial wastes to fired clay bricks has shown an
and bricks were made under controlled conditions in a
increase in porosity and water absorption1,2,9,12,13 and has
laboratory. In this study, calcined marble waste is added to
reported an increase in resistance against efflorescence when
clay, and bricks are manufactured under industrial conditions
rice husk ash and sugarcane bagasse ash were added to fired
clay bricks.
Marble is processed before making tiles, floors, and Received: April 30, 2021
decorations.8,14 Water is used during the cutting and polishing Accepted: August 3, 2021
of marble stone. During the processing of marble, fine particles
are produced, which are almost 20% of the total amount. The
fine particles of marble are discharged with water, which
produces marble sludge.15 As developing countries do not have
© XXXX The Authors. Published by
American Chemical Society https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
A ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf Article

at actual brick manufacturing plants (kilns). The main focus of waste marble solution was used in wet flue gas desulfurization
this study is to investigate the effect of calcined marble waste (WFGD) technology and results were encouraging. In addition
on the compressive strength and porosity of bricks. Brick to this, marble sludge is used for capturing particulate matters
specimens with different percentages of marble waste (calcined from the flue gas of clay brick kiln before incorporating it into
and uncalcined) were produced under industrial conditions. clay bricks. The use of marble sludge is an economical solution
The utilization of calcined marble waste can help increase the for controlling particulate matter discharge into the environ-
compressive strength of fired clay bricks as compared to brick ment from clay brick kilns.
with uncalcined marble waste.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Raw Materials. In our study clay and waste marble is
used as raw material for the preparation of fired clay bricks.
Clay used in bricks was collected from the local brick
manufacturing plant located near Peshawar, Pakistan. Waste
marble was collected from a local marble stone processing
plant located in Peshawar, Pakistan. Clay was used in raw form
while marble waste was treated before its use in fired clay
bricks.
2.2. Waste Marble Treatment. Waste marble collected
from marble processing plants was in lumps. To achieve
homogeneity and the highest degree of calcination, marble
waste lumps were grinded to powder form using ball mill.
Calcination was performed in a rotary kiln; powder marble
waste was fired in a rotary kiln for 1 h at 800−900 °C (see
Figures S1 and S2).
2.3. Manufacturing Fired Clay Bricks. The clay bricks
Figure 1. Clay and marble waste brick specimens. were prepared using clay, waste marble and calcined waste
marble. Dry waste marble and clay were manually mixed. As
Table 1. Design Values of the Cascade Impactor per ASTM D4318 standard, 20% water was added to clay and
marble waste mixture to achieve the required plasticity. Marble
number of nozzle diameter throat length distance to plate
stage nozzles (m) (m) (m) waste was used from 10 to 40% in clay brick specimens. Marble
waste and clay were homogenously mixed before shaping into
1 3 0.55 × 10−2 1.27 × 10−2 0.55 × 10−2
2 8 0.22 × 10−2 1.0 × 10−2 0.22 × 10−2
bricks (see Figures S3 and S4).
2.3.1. Clay Brick Specimens. Brick mould (222 × 112 × 73
mm) was used for shaping clay bricks. Lump of clay and waste
Furthermore, in this study, marble waste in a fixed bed marble mixture was put into mould to achieve the required
reactor is used as an adsorbent for desulfurization. Previously, shape as shown in Figure 1. Dry sand was used in mould to

Figure 2. Laboratory scale chimney for flue gas analysis.

B https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf
Figure 3. (a) Design of the cascade impactor on ANSYS, (b) mesh of the cascade impactor on ANSYS, and (c): velocity profile of the cascade
impactor.
avoid sticking of clay to mould. The clay brick specimens were
sun-dried for 5 days.
2.3.2. Firing Dried Bricks. Dried clay bricks are fired in three
stages in kiln. In pre-heating zone temperature is 600−700 °C.
In firing zone temperature is 1000−1100 °C (see Figure S5)
and in cooling zone temperature is 200−300 °C. Clay bricks
spend 36 h in a firing zone and a total of 30 days in the kiln.
2.4. Chemical Composition of Raw Material. The
properties of fired clay bricks largely depend on the
composition of raw material. Therefore, it is necessary to
find out the composition of raw material used in clay bricks.
Energy dispersive spectroscopy (JEM-2100) and X-ray
fluorescence (EDX-7000) were used to investigate the
elemental composition of clay and marble waste. Micro-
structural analysis of raw material and clay bricks were
performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (JSM-
IT-100) with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS).
2.5. Physical Properties of Fired Clay Bricks. To
investigate the physical properties of fired clay bricks, series of
tests were performed according to ASTM standards. A
compression test was applied to clay bricks for finding the
compressive strength of clay bricks. ASTM C20 standard was
used for finding the apparent porosity of clay bricks.
2.6. Thermal Characterization. Normally materials
transform phase when subjected to high temperature. Thermal
analysis (TGA/DTA) of raw material was performed using
instrument STD Q600. Materials were heated to 1100 °C at
the rate of 10 °C per minute under a nitrogen environment.
C https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
Article
2.7. Flue Gas Treatment. 2.7.1. Flue Gases. WFGD
technology is commonly used for flue gas desulphurization. In
WFGD technology limestone is utilized as adsorbent slurry,
which reacts with sulphur dioxide. Other major technologies
used for desulphurization are dry and semi WFGD. The wet
FGD process occupies almost 89% of the total FGD process
and the rest is occupied by dry and semi wet FGD processes.18
The content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in marble waste is
comparable to the content of CaCO3 in limestone.19
Therefore, marble waste can be used as an alternative
adsorbent for desulphurization. In previous studies, marble
slurry is used as a replacement of limestone in WFGD process
and fluidized bed reactor. According to previous studies marble
waste as an alternative to limestone in WFGD process shows
promising results. Coal fired power plants are the largest
sulphur dioxide producing units in the world. Therefore,
WFGD process is used in thermal power plants as WFGD is
the most efficient process. Small industries such as brick
producing units (kilns), sulphur dioxide emissions are much
less as compared to coal fired thermal power plants which
makes installation of WFGD an unsuitable process due to its
high capital and operating cost.20
In this research, to investigate effect of marble waste on flue
gases, a laboratory scale chimney was designed as shown in
Figure 2. Coal and wood was used as burning fuel in chimney.
MRU gas analyzer (Optma 7) was used for analysis of flue
gases. Difference in values of flue gases (SO2, NOx, CO, CO2)
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf Article

Figure 4. Cascade impactor for particulate matter capturing.

Table 2. Composition of Raw Materials 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

constituents marble waste clay 3.1. Properties of Raw Material. 3.1.1. Composition of
C (%) 9.10 6.93 Raw Material. Elemental composition of waste marble and
O (%) 42 44.06 clay is shown in Table 2. In waste marble, the major element is
Si (%) 0.34 21.52 calcium (Ca). Calcium (Ca) is observed more than 45% in
Ca (%) 47.38 9.68 waste marble. Minor amount of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni) and
Mg (%) 0.66 1.66 strontium (Sr) are observed in waste marble used in clay
Na (%) 0 0.46 bricks. Silica is observed more than 20% in clay. Iron (Fe) and
Fe (%) 0.331 5.95 aluminium (Al) constitutes 12% of clay used in bricks. Minor
Sr (%) 0.076 0 amount of tin (Ti), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) are
Cu (%) 0.06 0 observed in clay.
Ni (%) 0.053 0 Amount of calcium (Ca) is more than magnesium (Mg) in
Al (%) 0 6.72 waste marble, which shows that marble stone is of calcite type.
Ti (%) 0 0.61
EDX pattern of waste marble and clay is shown in Figures 5
K (%) 0 2.41
and 6. Figure 6 also confirms the type of marble. The results of
EDX are similar to previous studies.15
3.1.2. Thermal Analysis. The TGA curve of clay is shown in
was calculated before and after introducing marble waste to Figure 7 and it can be observed that there is weight loss from
chimney. 100 to 200 °C (due to moisture removal) and then at 400−
2.7.2. Particulate Matters. Andersen cascade impactor was 760 °C. An endothermic curve is observed between 600 and
designed for capturing particulate matters from flue gases. 800 °C, centered at 748.89 °C (see Figure S6). This curve is
According to best results are obtained when following design due to the burning of organic matter.23 Total weight loss of
conditions are met.21,22 Design values of cascade impactor are clay observed at 850 °C is 11.75%. Mass loss was gradual until
given in Table 1. ANSYS software was used for computational 500 °C but a sudden weight loss was reported between 650
fluid dynamics analysis of cascade impactor as given in Figure and 760 °C, which is due to decomposition of carbonate.24
3a−c and required conditions were obtained. The arrangement Figure 7 shows the total weight loss of marble waste is
for capturing particulate matters is shown in Figure 4. 42.33% at 900 °C. The major weight loss was between 700 and
Difference in weight of particulate matters before and after 850 °C, which is due to the decomposition of calcium
introducing marble waste was calculated to see the effect of carbonate. Carbon dioxide was removed from calcium
marble waste on particulate matters. carbonate leaving calcium oxide behind. DTA curve shows
D https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf
Figure 5. EDX pattern of waste marble.
Figure 6. EDX pattern of clay.
Figure 7. Thermogravimetric analysis of clay and waste marble.
an endothermic peak at 803.84 °C due to de-carbonation (see
Figure S7).24
3.1.3. Scanning Electron Microscope. The SEM images of
both the raw materials clay and waste marble are shown in
Figures 8 and 9. It can be seen that clay particles are in a
variety of sizes and rough in texture while marble particles are
in agglomerated form. The particles of raw materials are of
irregular shape and their sizes are less than 100 μm.
3.1.4. Specific Gravity. Specific gravity of clay and waste
marble used in fired clay bricks are 2.61 and 2.69 respectively.
The specific gravity of waste marble is more than clay which
E https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
Article
suggests that the weight of fired clay bricks incorporating waste
marble will be more but actual results show that the weight of
bricks are less as compared to bricks with no marble waste.
The reason for the decrease in weight is loss on ignition
(weight loss at high temperature due to escape of volatile
matter). Marble LOI is more than clay, which is confirmed by
TGA graph.
3.2. Properties of Fired Clay Bricks. 3.2.1. Bulk Density.
The bulk density of fired clay bricks decreases with an increase
in the percentage of waste marble in clay bricks as shown in
Figure 10. There is a 17% decrease in bulk density of bricks
when 40% waste marble was added to the clay. The decrease in
bulk density of clay bricks is less in case of calcined marble
waste as compared to same percentage of uncalcined marble
waste in the clay. There is a 13% reduction in bulk density for
40% calcined waste marble addition to clay bricks. Unit weight
of clay is less compared to waste marble. Therefore, it was
assumed that weight of brick with marble waste will be greater
than normal clay brick, but results have shown that weight of
brick decreases with addition of marble waste. The reason for
the decrease in weight is due to increase in porosity of clay
bricks.8,14 Lightweight bricks have advantage over usual bricks
as they can be used in areas prone to earthquakes. Another
benefit of lightweight brick is that it can help in economical
construction as labour and transportation cost is less for
lightweight bricks.
3.2.2. Porosity. Quality of clay bricks depends on number of
factors, one of the key factors is the porosity of bricks. Porous
bricks are vulnerable to chemical attacks and weathering.6
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf
Figure 8. SEM images of clay.
Figure 9. SEM images of marble waste.
Figure 10. Effect of marble waste on bulk density of clay brick.
Therefore, life and performance of brick largely depend on the
porosity of clay bricks.
Porosity of clay bricks with uncalcined marble waste and
calcined marble waste is shown in Figure 11. It can be seen in
Figure 11 that porosity of clay bricks increases with an increase
in the percentage of waste marble in clay bricks. The increase
in porosity is 60 and 50% for uncalcined and calcined marble
waste respectively compared to normal clay bricks. The reason
for increase in porosity is decomposition of calcium carbonate
(CaCO3) present in waste marble. As CO2 is released during
the decomposition of CaCO3, it increases the porosity of clay
bricks. Due to CaO reactive and expandable nature, it also
causes increase in the porosity of clay bricks.14 The increase in
the porosity of brick for calcined marble waste is less as
compared to uncalcined marble waste for same percentage.
The reason for less increase in the porosity for calcined marble
F https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
Article
Figure 11. Effect of waste marble on porosity of clay brick.
waste is due to partial decomposition of CaCO3 during the
firing process. The release of CO2 is limited as calcination has
already taken place.14
3.2.3. Water Absorption. Water absorption of clay bricks is
much higher (10 times) than any other construction material
due to capillary effect.1 Clay bricks lose moisture during day-
time (high temperature) and reabsorb moisture during night-
time (low temperature). Therefore, the performance of clay
bricks largely depends on the water absorption capacity of clay
bricks.
Effect of waste marble on water absorption of clay bricks is
shown in Figure 12. Water absorption increases with an
increase in the percentage of waste marble in clay bricks. The
increase in water absorption is 55 and 49% for uncalcined and
calcined waste marble respectively as compared to normal clay
brick. The increase in porosity for calcined marble waste is less
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf
Figure 12. Effect of waste marble on water absorption of clay bricks.
as compared to uncalcined waste marble and the reason is the
porosity of clay brick with calcined marble waste is less than
uncalcined marble waste. Water absorption depends on the
porosity of clay bricks.
3.2.4. Compressive Strength. The compressive strength has
the most important role in determining quality of bricks.
According to Turkish and European standard, the compressive
strength of clay brick must not be less than 7 MPa.8,14 The
effect of marble waste on compressive strength can be seen in
Figure 13. Compressive strength decreases with an increase in
Figure 13. Effect of waste marble on compressive strength of clay
bricks.
the percentage of marble waste in clay bricks. The compressive
strength varies between 16 and 2.9 MPa. The maximum
compressive strength is of brick with no marble waste. The
decrease in compressive strength of clay bricks with marble
waste is due to an increase in the porosity of clay bricks.
Carbonate decomposition of waste marble in clay bricks lead
to an increase in porosity.25 Open-pore generation in clay
bricks incorporating waste marble also cause a decrease in the
compressive strength.2 Furthermore, a non-homogenous
mixture of clay and marble waste was achieved, which also
contribute to a reduction in compressive strength. Clay bricks
with 10% uncalcined marble waste fulfill the criteria of
G https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
Article
compressive strength. In case of calcined marble waste up to
20% can be added to clay while still satisfying minimum
compressive strength (7 MPa) criteria.8,14 The compressive
strength of calcined marble waste is more than uncalcined
marble waste due to less porosity of clay bricks with calcined
marble waste (see Figure 11).
Figure 14. SEM image of the brick with no marble waste.
Table 3. Average Values of Flue Gas Components
flue gas before marble treatment after marble treatment reduction (%)
O2 16.34% 17.78% 1.04
CO 3.48% 3.27% 0.21
CO2 5204.2 ppm 4880.4 ppm 6.2
NOx 55.2 ppm 45.6 ppm 17
SO2 407.8 ppm 232.6 ppm 43
3.2.5. Microstructure, Color and Phase Analysis. Micro-
scopic images of brick specimens are shown in Figures 14 and
15a,b. It can be seen in the figure that bricks with no marble
waste are compact and there are no pores. However, bricks
with marble waste are less compact. Irregular pores observed in
bricks incorporating marble waste are due to the crystallization
process.26 A brick with 20% calcined marble waste has fewer
pores as compared to brick with 20% uncalcined marble waste.
This confirms that porosity increases with an increase in the
percentage of marble waste; furthermore, the increase in
porosity for calcined marble waste is less as compared to
uncalcined marble waste. SEM images confirm the results of
porosity and water absorption of fired clay bricks.
Fired clay brick color depends on the amount of iron(III)
oxide (Fe2O3).26 Bricks incorporating waste marble are lighter
in color due to the less amount of Fe2O3 in waste marble and
more amount of calcium oxide (CaO).27
EDS graphs of fired clay bricks are shown in Figures 16 and
17. It was observed that a brick with no marble waste has silica
as a major component, which is in agreement with the
composition of the raw material (clay). The EDS graph of fired
clay bricks incorporating marble waste has shown the presence
of calcium as the second major element after silica, which is
due to the presence of CaO in marble waste. There is a minor
amount of magnesium, aluminum, and sodium in fired clay
bricks as well.
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf Article

Figure 15. SEM image of the brick with 20% (a) calcined and (b) Uncalcined marble waste.

Figure 16. EDS graph of clay brick with no marble waste.

Figure 17. EDS graph of the brick with marble waste.

3.3. Flue Gas Treatment. 3.3.1. Flue Gases. Flue gases are for the treatment of flue gas, and the effect of marble waste on
composed of different components such as carbon dioxide flue gas components can be seen in Table 3. It is clear from the
(CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SO2 and SO3), values given in Table 3 that marble waste has no major effect
and nitrogen oxides (NO2).28 Coal and wood were burned on flue gases except sulfur dioxide. The results show that there
multiple times to produce flue gas. The average value of flue is more than 40 percent reduction in the value of sulfur dioxide
gas components is shown in Table 3. Marble waste was used (SO2). The decrease in the value of sulfur dioxide (SO2) is due
H https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf
Figure 18. Particulate matter collected on wax paper.
Figure 19. SEM images of the particle collected on wax paper.
to the presence of calcium oxide (CaO) in marble waste.
Calcium oxide (CaO) reacts with sulfur oxides to form calcium
sulfate.20
Figure 20. EDS graph of particulate matter collected on wax paper.
Sulfur dioxide removal efficiency of the method used in this
research is less as compared to the conventional WFGD
technology, but its capital and operating cost is much less than
WFGD, as there is no extra pumps and filters required.
Therefore, this method can be used in small-scale industries
such as brick manufacturing units, and after treatment, marble
waste can be used as an additive in fired clay bricks.18,20
I https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
Article
3.3.2. Particulate Matter. Particulate matters are composed
of organic and inorganic matters.29,30 Particulate matters were
collected on wax paper, as shown in Figure 18. There was 40−
50 and 50−65% reduction in the particulate matter captured at
a 10 μm plate and 2.5 μm collection plate, respectively. The
decrease in the value shows that marble waste can capture
particulate matter.
SEM images shown in Figure 19 confirm that particulate
matter collected on wax paper is of 10 and 2.5 μm in size.
According to the EDS graph shown in Figure 20, there is a
carbon (C), silica (Si), and traces of metals in the collected
particulate matter. As coal was burned, carbon (C) is a major
element collected on wax paper. Zinc (Zn), chlorine (Cl),
sulfur (S), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and copper (Cu) are
among other elements collected on wax paper.
4. CONCLUSIONS
The current research shows that the addition of waste marble
to clay bricks shows that bulk density decreases with an
increase in the percentage of waste marble. The porosity and
water absorption of clay brick increase with an increase in the
waste marble percentage. The most important property of
brick is its compressive strength. The compressive strength of
brick decreases with the increase in marble waste. The
compressive strength values improve when calcined waste
marble is used instead of uncalcined waste marble. The
compressive strength value is 8.5 and 10.2 MPa for uncalcined
and calcined waste marbles, respectively, for 10% addition of
waste marble to clay bricks. For 20% waste marble addition,
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega
http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf
the values of compressive strength are 5.3 and 8.6 MPa for
uncalcined and calcined wastes, respectively. From the ASTM
standard for compressive strength results, we can say that 10%
uncalcined waste marble and 20% calcined marble waste can
be added to clay bricks. The bricks manufactured with marble
waste addition are lighter in weight. Therefore, they can be
used in areas prone to natural disasters such as floods and
earthquakes. The use of marble waste in clay bricks is an
effective and economical solution to soil erosion and waste
marble.
Before utilization of marble waste in clay brick, they can be
used for flue gase treatment and a 33−43% reduction in the
concentration of sulfur dioxide and 50−65% reduction in the
concentration of particulate matter was observed. The fixed
bed reactor approach using marble waste for desulfurization
and removal of particulate matter is an economical solution for
small industrial units such as clay brick manufacturing units.
■
ASSOCIATED CONTENT
*
sı Supporting Information
The Supporting Information is available free of charge at
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279.
Ball mill used for grinding marble waste, rotary kiln used
for calcinations of marble powder, manual mixing of
marble waste and clay, industrial brick production
process, brick kiln firing zone temperature, and DTA
of clay and marble (PDF)
■
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Corresponding Authors
Syed Nasir Shah − Department of Energy Engineering, Faculty
of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of
Engineering and Technology Taxila, 47080 Rawalpindi,
Pakistan; orcid.org/0000-0003-2666-9741;
Phone: 0092-332-9015-155; Email: nasir876@gmail.com,
nasir.shah@uettaxila.edu.pk
Muhammad Imran Ahmad − Department of Chemical
Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology,
25120 Peshawar, Pakistan; Email: imran.ahmad@
uetpeshawar.edu.pk
Authors
Shehbaz Ahmad − Department of Chemical Engineering,
University of Engineering and Technology, 25120 Peshawar,
Pakistan
Mansoor Ul Hassan Shah − Department of Chemical
Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology,
25120 Peshawar, Pakistan
Asmat Ullah − Department of Chemical Engineering,
University of Engineering and Technology, 25120 Peshawar,
Pakistan
Muhammad Saad Rehan − Center for Advanced Studies in
Energy, University of Engineering and Technology, 25120
Peshawar, Pakistan
Irfan Ahmed Khan − National Institute of Urban
Infrastructure Planning, University of Engineering and
Technology, 25120 Peshawar, Pakistan
Complete contact information is available at:
https://pubs.acs.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
Notes
The authors declare no competing financial interest.
J https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
■
Article
REFERENCES
(1) Kazmi, S. M. S.; Abbas, S.; Saleem, M. A.; Munir, M. J.; Khitab,
A. Manufacturing of sustainable clay bricks: Utilization of waste
sugarcane bagasse and rice husk ashes. Constr. Build. Mater. 2016, 120,
29−41.
(2) Kazmi, S. M. S.; Abbas, S.; Munir, M. J.; Khitab, A. Exploratory
study on the effect of waste rice husk and sugarcane bagasse ashes in
burnt clay bricks. J. Build. Eng. 2016, 7, 372−378.
(3) Raut, S.; Ralegaonkar, R.; Mandavgane, S. Utilization of recycle
paper mill residue and rice husk ash in production of light weight
bricks. Arch. Civ. Mech. Eng. 2013, 13, 269−275.
(4) Abbas, S.; Saleem, M. A.; Kazmi, S. M. S.; Munir, M. J.
Production of sustainable clay bricks using waste fly ash: mechanical
and durability properties. J. Build. Eng. 2017, 14, 7−14.
(5) dos Reis, G. S.; Cazacliu, B. G.; Cothenet, A.; Poullain, P.;
Wilhelm, M.; Sampaio, C. H.; Lima, E. C.; Ambros, W.; Torrenti, J.-
M. Fabrication, microstructure, and properties of fired clay bricks
using construction and demolition waste sludge as the main additive.
J. Cleaner Prod. 2020, 258, 120733.
(6) Kazmi, S. M. S.; Abbas, S.; Nehdi, M. L.; Saleem, M. A.; Munir,
M. J. Feasibility of using waste glass sludge in production of
ecofriendly clay bricks. J. Mater. Civ. Eng. 2017, 29, 04017056.
(7) Phonphuak, N.; Kanyakam, S.; Chindaprasirt, P. Utilization of
waste glass to enhance physical−mechanical properties of fired clay
brick. J. Cleaner Prod. 2016, 112, 3057−3062.
(8) Munir, M. J.; Kazmi, S. M. S.; Wu, Y.-F.; Hanif, A.; Khan, M. U.
A. Thermally efficient fired clay bricks incorporating waste marble
sludge: An industrial-scale study. J. Cleaner Prod. 2018, 174, 1122−
1135.
(9) Goel, G.; Kalamdhad, A. S. An investigation on use of paper mill
sludge in brick manufacturing. Constr. Build. Mater. 2017, 148, 334−
343.
(10) Shih, P.-H.; Wu, Z.-Z.; Chiang, H.-L. Characteristics of bricks
made from waste steel slag. J. Waste Manage. 2004, 24, 1043−1047.
(11) Kavas, T. Use of boron waste as a fluxing agent in production of
red mud brick. Build. Environ. 2006, 41, 1779−1783.
(12) Mandal, A. K.; Verma, H. R.; Sinha, O. P. Utilization of
aluminum plant’s waste for production of insulation bricks. J. Cleaner
Prod. 2017, 162, 949−957.
(13) Ukwatta, A.; Mohajerani, A.; Eshtiaghi, N.; Setunge, S.
Variation in physical and mechanical properties of fired-clay bricks
incorporating ETP biosolids. J. Cleaner Prod. 2016, 119, 76−85.
(14) Sutcu, M.; Alptekin, H.; Erdogmus, E.; Er, Y.; Gencel, O.
Characteristics of fired clay bricks with waste marble powder addition
as building materials. Constr. Build. Mater. 2015, 82, 1−8.
(15) Bilgin, N.; Yeprem, H. A.; Arslan, S.; Bilgin, A.; Günay, E.;
Marşoglu, M. Use of waste marble powder in brick industry. Constr.
Build. Mater. 2012, 29, 449−457.
(16) Alyamac, K. E.; Ghafari, E.; Ince, R. Development of eco-
efficient self-compacting concrete with waste marble powder using the
response surface method. J. Cleaner Prod. 2017, 144, 192−202.
(17) Singh, M.; Srivastava, A.; Bhunia, D. An investigation on effect
of partial replacement of cement by waste marble slurry. Constr. Build.
Mater. 2017, 134, 471−488.
(18) Srivastava, R. K.; Jozewicz, W. Flue gas desulfurization: the
state of the art. J. Air Waste Manage. Assoc. 2001, 51, 1676−1688.
(19) Kumar, L.; Jana, S. K.; Datta, D. Application of response surface
methodology to absorptive separation of SO2 from its mixture with
air using marble waste. Chem. Eng. Commun. 2020, 207, 458−473.
(20) Pandey, R. A.; Biswas, R.; Chakrabarti, T.; Devotta, S. Flue Gas
Desulfurization: Physicochemical and Biotechnological Approaches.
Crit. Rev. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2005, 35, 571−622.
(21) Kwon, S. B.; Lim, K. S.; Jung, J. S.; Bae, G. N.; Lee, K. W.
Design and calibration of a 5-stage cascade impactor (K-JIST cascade
impactor). J. Aerosol Sci. 2003, 34, 289−300.
(22) Newton, G. J.; Raabe, O. G.; Mokler, B. V. Cascade impactor
design and performance. J. Aerosol Sci. 1977, 8, 339−347.
(23) Eliche-Quesada, D.; Felipe-Sesé, M. A.; López-Pérez, J. A.;
Infantes-Molina, A. Characterization and evaluation of rice husk ash
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX
ACS Omega http://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf Article

and wood ash in sustainable clay matrix bricks. Ceram. Int. 2017, 43,
463−475.
(24) Eliche-Quesada, D.; Corpas-Iglesias, F. A.; Pérez-Villarejo, L.;
Iglesias-Godino, F. J. Recycling of sawdust, spent earth from oil
filtration, compost and marble residues for brick manufacturing.
Constr. Build. Mater. 2012, 34, 275−284.
(25) Faria, K. C. P.; Gurgel, R. F.; Holanda, J. N. F. Recycling of
sugarcane bagasse ash waste in the production of clay bricks. J.
Environ. Manage. 2012, 101, 7−12.
(26) Eliche-Quesada, D.; Leite-Costa, J. Use of bottom ash from
olive pomace combustion in the production of eco-friendly fired clay
bricks. J. Waste Manage. 2016, 48, 323−333.
(27) Emrullahoglu Abi, C. B. Effect of borogypsum on brick
properties. Constr. Build. Mater. 2014, 59, 195−203.
(28) Song, C.; Pan, W.; Srimat, S. T.; Zheng, J.; Li, Y.; Wang, Y.-H.;
Xu, B.-Q.; Zhu, Q.-M. Tri-reforming of methane over Ni catalysts for
CO 2 conversion to Syngas with desired H 2 CO ratios using flue gas
of power plants without CO 2 separation. Stud. Surf. Sci. Catal. 2004,
153, 315−322.
(29) Huang, R.-J.; Cao, J.; Worsnop, D. R. Sources and Chemical
Composition of Particulate Matter During Haze Pollution Events in
China. Air Pollution in Eastern Asia: An Integrated Perspective; Springer,
2017; pp 49−68.
(30) Liu, X.; Xu, M.; Yao, H.; Yu, D.; Zhang, Z.; Lü, D.
Characteristics and composition of particulate matter from coal-
fired power plants. Sci. China: Technol. Sci. 2009, 52, 1521−1526.

K https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c02279
ACS Omega XXXX, XXX, XXX−XXX