This article reviews the results obtained from stack emissions analysis during the co-firing process of municipal solid waste (MSW) from the municipality of Tabio, Colombia, in a Hoffmann-type brick kiln. MSW (2 tonne) was incinerated and about 18.5 tonnes of clay were processed into brick using one and four kiln chambers, respectively. During the process, the following emissions were investigated: particulate emissions, emissions of SO₂, SO₃, NO _X, metals (Sb, As, Cd, Co, Sn, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Hg), hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid, hydrocarbons (such as methane) and emission of polychlorinated dioxins and furans. Also, CO emissions were monitored during each test to evaluate the influence of MSW co-firing on that parameter. The observed emissions concentrations proved to be below the threshold values issued by MAVDT, the environmental authority in Colombia, indicating that the emissions were under control during the proposed process. In addition, statistical analysis showed that the emissions were 10—40% below the regulation limit with a confidence of 95%.

A method to obtain processed residue from mixed construction and demolition waste (mixed C&D-W) — free from environmental pollutants — for deposition in landfill is discussed. In particular, additional sieving, the presence of gypsum board in mixed C&D-W at the first stage of manual presorting, and the color of processed residue were studied for the basic characterization of the different fractions. Considerable precautions should be taken to prevent leaching of hazardous substances, such as T-Hg, Pb, Cr⁶⁺, As, and fluoride and its compounds, when processed residue, particularly in crushed fraction at an intermediate treatment facility, is used as construction material. A relatively high content of gypsum was noted in processed residue generated at demolition work compared to that generated at construction work in processed residue from mixed C&D-W in which the presence of gypsum board was observed at the first stage of manual presorting, and in white processed residue. Additional sieving for removal was ineffective because gypsum and wood have wide particle size distributions. To obtain processed residue having low gypsum and wood contents, white processed residue should be removed to eliminate gypsum (content, 59% of initial sample), and brown or brown and yellow processed residue should be removed to eliminate wood (content, 32% of initial sample) without mixing with processed residue containing other colors at stockyards. The removed residue should be deposited in a controlled-type landfill site.

This study investigated the pozzolanic reactions and engineering properties of waste brick-blended cements in relation to various replacement ratios (0—50%). The waste brick consisted of SiO₂ (63.21%), Al₂O₃ (16.41%), Fe₂O₃ (6.05%), Na₂O (1.19%), K₂O (2.83%) and MgO (1.11%), and had a pozzolanic activity index of 107%. The toxic characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) results demonstrate that the heavy-metal content in waste bricks met the Environmental Protection Agency regulatory limits. Experimental results indicate that 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% of cement can be replaced by waste brick, which causes the initial and final setting times to increase. Compressive strength development was slower in waste brick-blended cement (WBBC) pastes in the early ages; however, strength at the later ages increased significantly. Species analyses demonstrate that the hydrates in WBBC pastes primarily consisted of Ca(OH)₂ and calcium silicate hydrate (C—S—H) gel, like those found in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste. Pozzolanic reaction products formed in the WBBC pastes, in particular, various reaction products, including hydrates of calcium silicates (CSH), aluminates (CAH) and aluminosilicates (CASH), formed as expected, resulting in consumption of Ca(OH)₂ during the late ages of curing. The changes in the properties of WBBC pastes were significant as blend ratio increased, due to the pores of C—S—H gels and CAH filling via pozzolanic reactions. This filling of gel pores resulted in densification and subsequently enhanced the gel/space ratio and degree of hydration. Experimental results demonstrate waste brick can be supplementary cementitious material.