Sintered ceramsites from heavy metal-contaminated soil and printing and dyeing sludge fly ash： mechanisms of heavy metal stabilization and optimization of sintering condition

LI Zhiyao; SHEN Kai; XIE Wengang; HU Junsong; YANG Yu; LUO Wenxuan; XU Kang; ZHANG Yaping

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202607007

Volume 44 Issue 7

Jul. 2026

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(7): 59-67

LI Zhiyao, SHEN Kai, XIE Wengang, HU Junsong, YANG Yu, LUO Wenxuan, XU Kang, ZHANG Yaping. Sintered ceramsites from heavy metal-contaminated soil and printing and dyeing sludge fly ash： mechanisms of heavy metal stabilization and optimization of sintering condition[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 59-67. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607007

Citation:

LI Zhiyao, SHEN Kai, XIE Wengang, HU Junsong, YANG Yu, LUO Wenxuan, XU Kang, ZHANG Yaping. Sintered ceramsites from heavy metal-contaminated soil and printing and dyeing sludge fly ash： mechanisms of heavy metal stabilization and optimization of sintering condition[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 59-67. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607007

Citation:

LI Zhiyao, SHEN Kai, XIE Wengang, HU Junsong, YANG Yu, LUO Wenxuan, XU Kang, ZHANG Yaping. Sintered ceramsites from heavy metal-contaminated soil and printing and dyeing sludge fly ash： mechanisms of heavy metal stabilization and optimization of sintering condition[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 59-67. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607007

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Sintered ceramsites from heavy metal-contaminated soil and printing and dyeing sludge fly ash： mechanisms of heavy metal stabilization and optimization of sintering condition

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607007

Central & Southem China Municipal Engineening Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430010, China

Received Date: 2025-11-25
Available Online: 2026-09-01

Abstract

Abstract

Printing and dyeing sludge （PDS） fly ash are often regarded as hazardous wastes due to the wide variety and high content of heavy metals （HMs） they contain. The co-disposal of hazardous waste sintered ceramsites has attracted attention because of its low energy consumption and simple operation. In this study， printing and dyeing sludge fly ash and heavy metal contaminated soil were used to produce ceramsites. It investigated the effects of the sintering process on the physical properties and heavy metal migration and transformation of ceramsites， while also explored the potential mechanism of heavy metal solidification. The optimal sintering conditions were identified as preheating at 400 ℃ for 10 minutes， followed by heating to 1150 ℃ for a duration of 10 minutes. Under these conditions， the ceramsites demonstrated excellent physical properties， minimal heavy metal volatilization， and a high proportion of residual heavy metals. Specifically， the ceramsites achieved a water absorption rate of 2.7% （after 1 h）， a bulk density of 830 kg/m³， heavy metal volatilization rate below 15%， and a residual heavy metal fraction proportion exceeding 86%. The optimal sintering temperature of 1150 ℃ minimized HM volatilization， resulting in the highest proportion of the residual fraction （F4） within the ceramsites. Characterization result revealed that the combination of heavy metal encapsulation by the glass phase during sintering and the formation of stable silica-aluminate by the reaction of amorphous silica-alumina radicals with heavy metals through crystallization and adsorption，were responsible for the reduction of heavy metal migration risk in ceramsites. However， excessively high sintering temperature （≥1200 ℃） was found to destabilize the ceramsite structure， leading to the secondary release of heavy metals. This highlights the importance of maintaining optimal sintering conditions to ensure both material performance and environmental safety. This research provided an efficient and simple process route for the resource utilization of dyeing sludge， fly ash and contaminated soil with heavy metals.
- ceramsite,
- printing and dyeing sludge,
- contaminated soil,
- heavy metal,
- immobilization/stabilization

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References(38)

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