Waterworks waste (sludge) of the Leopoldina, MG, region aiming its use in the red ceramic industry. Part I: characterization of the sludge

The aim of this work was evaluate the mineralogical and physical-chemical characteristics of the waste (sludge) from the waterworks of the Leopoldina, MG, region for their use in red ceramic industry. The waste (sludge) was submitted to X-ray diffraction, atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence, thermal analysis and plasticity. The results showed that the ETA waste has a potential to be mixed to the raw material for the manufacture of red ceramics.